Polarized response to Episode VIII sign of toxic political climate
Star Wars: The Last Jedi has become one of the most divisive films in recent memory. It’s hardly a surprise, however, as everyone had their own hopes for the movie and the reintroduction of Luke Skywalker. People were not happy about what they got.
The transition from director J.J. Abrams to Rian Johnson seems to have been an uncomfortable one. “There is a clash of visions between the two directors … creating this weird ping-pong game between directors that leaves the audience in a state of confusion,” said animator Andrei Terbea, in a YouTube video. Abrams set up a serious action movie — some believe that Johnson wasted all that potential with his more comedic take on the franchise.
Other details also didn’t sit well with fans. Some complained of pacing issues, inappropriately timed jokes, and characters who didn’t come across as genuine. Luke’s cynicism and weakness were received particularly badly. The new characters were also seen as poorly written, hollow, and even pointlessly creating conflict, as in the case of Admiral Holdo.
This doesn’t mean that the reception of The Last Jedi was all bad. Even as it was being criticized, the film was praised for stunning visuals, striking scenes, and the masterful development of certain characters introduced in the last film, most notably Kylo Ren/Ben Solo and Rey.
Unfortunately, the two viewpoints polarized very quickly and the Internet erupted into insults.
“Let’s Face It, You Hate The Last Jedi Because You Hate Women,” ran the title of an article on disinfo.com.
“Fragile men are why we can’t [have] nice things both in this galaxy and one far, far away,” said writer Bryan Young on Twitter. Critics called the fans brainless, with one critical YouTuber, The Amazing Lucas, recommending: “If anyone tells you to watch this movie … eradicate them from your life, because they are on the path of darkness.”
Twitter user @TheSpanky412 tweeted: “If you’re a fan and you liked that movie, I seriously hate every inch of your body, mind, and spirit and would absolutely force choke you like Vader if it was physically possible.”
This all-or-nothing, two-party reaction seems typical of not only Internet discourse, but also the current political climate. It might not seem like a big deal, but the tendency to pit one viewpoint against another without attempting to explore the grey area in between, or see the other side of the argument may be indicative a much more serious problem in North American society.
Art by Cat Cooper