Tag: The Last Jedi

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Star Wars: The Art of The Last Jedi

CONCEPT ART LENDS TO THE VISUAL DEPICTION OF IDEAS THAT GIVE HOPE TO A GREAT FILM.

 

Kylo Kira Force Mash 01
The Art of Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Clyne

I need to put this out there, The Star Wars Sequel Trilogy has the best cinematography of all the Star Wars films and trilogies. The Last Jedi’s cinematography is nearly breathtaking. But it is also that way in The Force Awakens and The Rise of Skywalker.

Going through The Art of The Last Jedi again and either it was intentional or coincidence that the art inside the book offered a look at some future cinematography. This is hands down my favorite Art of Star Wars book.

The Art of Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Throne Views Version 03
Artist: Kevin Jenkins

Another aspect of The Art of The Last Jedi is some of the art that was not used in the film, did show up in The Rise of Skywalker theatrical release. We will explore that when I look at Star Wars: The Art of The Rise of Skywalker soon.

The Art of The Last Jedi, offers many works that are heavy in red tones as was a theme in the finished film. Using an even balance of lighter and darker tone art, this Art of Star Wars book is nearly as flawless as the cinematography in the film.

There is actually a lot of art that made the final cut unlike other Art of Star Wars books. As noted, some art that did not make the final cut ended up in The Rise of Skywalker, the art in this book is that good they did not toss it away completely.

The Art of Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Phasma Staff Version 02
Artist: Matthew Savage

Character art seems to show various stages of both the artists work and then after talking to the director a shift in thought, which is really cool to look at. I can not stress enough, no matter what you think of the sequel trilogy The Art of The Last Jedi for the sheer sake of just art is an absolute must have.

Up next, The Art of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.

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The Last Jedi is getting some love from Ahsoka

Star Wars: The Last Jedi is perhaps the most controversial movie not only in the Sequel Trilogy but all the Star Wars films. Near the end of the film a child uses the Force and moves a broom into his hand setting the fan base into a revolt. Yet, in all reality it jives with what Star Wars is about also what George Lucas has said about the Force.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 07: George Lucas attends MoMA’s Party in the Garden 2022 at The Museum of Modern Art on June 7, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Museum of Modern Art )

In 1981, in The Making of Return of the Jedi book George Lucas, screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan along with director Richard Marquand were going over the story line:

Kasdan: The Force was available to anyone who could hook into it?

Lucas: Yes, everybody can do it.

Kasdan: Not just the Jedi?

Lucas: It’s just the Jedi who take the time to do it.

Marquand: They use it as a technique.

Lucas: Like yoga. If you want to take the time to do it, you can do it; but the ones that really want to do it are the ones who are into that kind of thing. Also like karate.

The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson was right to use a child to illustrate what Lucas had said 41 year’s prior. Now Dave Filoni is diving deeper into this aspect of the Force on Ahsoka.

Sabine Wren, who is being trained by Ahsoka is not a Force user or a Jedi she is a Mandalorian, remember the Force exists well everywhere according to Yoda;

A life-size figurine of Yoda from the Star Wars series is displayed at the Star Wars Identities exhibition during a media preview at the ArtScience Museum in Singapore on January 28, 2021. (Photo by ROSLAN RAHMAN / AFP) (Photo by ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty Images)

The fact is anyone can access the Force given enough training and will. George Lucas fully supports the decision made by Filoni to double down on the anyone can use the Force.  “A lot of people get confused about the Force. They see it as some special thing that you can find and pick up and put it on your head and suddenly, you have the Force. Whereas it’s always been designed so that every living being has the Force,” Lucas said.

The amount of Force in living beings depends on how much they train. While The Last Jedi ruffled feathers Ahsoka is staying in line with the Force and what Star Wars creator George Lucas has said. So really fans lack of understanding was the real issue all along.

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Writing challenge day 10: The Last Jedi

What just happened? That was my feeling exiting the theater after watching Star Wars The Last Jedi. The one Star Wars movie that split the fan base. This is definitely the movie that pushed Star Wars, in some good ways but mostly bad ways. Fans either love this movie or hate it. There is no middle ground. Here is why.

HOLLYWOOD, CA – DECEMBER 14: Competing screening accross the street at the El Capitan theatre with AT-M6 Walker on display at the Opening Night Celebration Of Walt Disney Pictures And Lucasfilm’s “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” At TCL Chinese Theatre held at TCL Chinese Theatre on December 14, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)

The Force Awakens was pretty well received. The Last Jedi was met instantly by hatred. There are a few reasons why. The Last Jedi offered situations that pushed the fans in a direction that they did not want to go.

The death of Luke Skywalker was widely panned. It was also no way for a beloved character to exit (excluding Force ghost.) Then there was a child. An everyday ordinary child with no ties to the Jedi or the Force who could suddenly use the Force. That effectively ruined the mystique of the Jedi.

I say that but at the same time it did also offer a broader thought on the Force. Still the fan base was not pleased. There were some good moments in The Last Jedi, such as Rey wondering who her parents were. Kylo Ren revolting against Supreme Leader Snoke and slicing him in half.

The sequel trilogy began to fall apart in the eighth installment of Star Wars. It went places that it should not have. Star Wars fans like simple stories with well delivered lines and great special effects.

After long week’s at work Star Wars fans do not like to sit down after paying hard earned money and be force to think hard. Which is what The Last Jedi makes you do.

LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 18: (Images embargoed till 9am, 23rd June 2016) Star Wars: Episode VII character Kylo Ren at the Star Wars Gallery at Harrods on June 18, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Anthony Harvey/Getty Images for Harrods)

Switching directors is a no-no. The Force Awakens and The Rise of Skywalker were directed by JJ Abrams. While Rian Johnson took over for The Last Jedi. This was a huge blow for the trilogy on the whole.

Tomorrow we conclude our look at the Star Wars films with The Rise of Skywalker. See you then.