Star Wars Speculation: 'Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker' Spoiler Thoughts

Now that nearly a week has passed, and I've seen Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker a total of five times, I felt it would be an appropriate occasion to discuss the film with no restrictions. If you haven't watched it yet, you can read my non-spoiler review and venture back here at a later date. Otherwise, I hope this clarifies my feelings about the film. 

**Spoiler Warning for all Star Wars films**

'Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker' Spoiler Thoughts

1) Rey Palpatine
To kick things off, the biggest surprise was the reveal that Rey's descended from the Emperor himself, Sheev Palpatine. I'll be honest and say that I rolled my eyes in the theater at this moment. One of my favorite things about The Last Jedi was Rian Johnson's decision that Rey's parents were nobodies. Anyone can be the hero of their story, regardless of their ancestry. Going into The Rise of Skywalker, I'd hoped that'd remain unchanged.

At first, I felt this twist was a betrayal of one of my favorite elements of The Last Jedi. However, I soon reconciled this as J.J. Abrams' intent unraveled. He and Chris Terrio were offering a complimentary message rather than detracting from Johnson's story. Your lineage doesn't determine your destiny. You have a choice and agency in deciding your future. In hindsight, I much prefer this to the other possibilities of Rey being a clone or biologically descended from a Skywalker or Kenobi. I don't view this as a stronger alternative to Johnson's proposal, but I think it holds weight as well.

It deepens her struggle between the light and dark side as she questions her own morality. This has been an underlying thread in the trilogy, but I love the notion that her noble and compassionate heart is stronger than blood. On the other hand, I still take issue with a few things. I loathe the line, "You have his power." I not fond of the idea that Rey's strength is attributed to someone else. She's strong on account of her own discipline. It's not because she's the Emperor's granddaughter. And that line seems made to dismiss the preposterous notion of her being a "Mary Sue."

2) Bendemption
By far, my favorite thing about The Rise of Skywalker is how Ben Solo's redemption was handled. I made an entire post about this topic and how I hoped it might play out. Above all, I love how his redemption relates to the poetry of the greater saga. First of all, it occurs on the remains of the second Death Star, which is also the site of Anakin’s redemption, where he made a choice to save Luke from the Emperor. There are deeper ties than that, though...

Anakin metaphorically died and was reborn as Vader in the lava of Mustafar. He faced a baptism by fire, which left him severely burned. With this fire came death, destruction, and pain. The evil Darth Vader was created. Towards the end of the duel between Rey and Kylo Ren on the oceanic moon of Kef Bir, she lands a fatal blow to Kylo Ren. However, rather than let him suffer, she heals him with the Force. In literature, water often represents life, rebirth, and purity. At this moment, Kylo Ren literally and figuratively died and is reborn as Ben Solo. It’s a baptism for Ben that cleanses him of his sins. This franchise is deeply rooted in spirituality and myth, so I love that Abrams and Terrio tapped into that.

One slight detail I've noticed in my successive viewings is that Ben's scar fades away as Rey heals him. Therefore, she heals all the physical wounds she ever caused him since she first gave him the scar in The Force Awakens. A beautiful gesture that underscores her kind heart in addition to further signifying his decision to be Ben Solo again. 

On top of that, there’s the beautiful parallel between The Force Awakens and The Rise Of Skywalker. When Ben Solo is left stranded on the planet, he's seen contemplating his next course of action. Ben's memory of Han Solo appears to console him. Ever since that fatal moment from The Force Awakens, Ben's been haunted by what he did to his father. It shook him to his core and left him more conflicted than ever. Han may not physically be there, but this time Ben can make things right. He can't undo anything, but he can choose to be better. To be a hero. Their conversation consists almost entirely of the same dialogue from their final encounter, but with a much different context. It provides a sense of closure between the two as Ben imagines how he desperately wishes that moment had happened.

I also love that the restoration of Ben Solo required both his parents reaching out to him. Only together, their final efforts bring their son back towards the light. It's tragic but poetic that Han and Leia each die in an attempt to redeem their fallen son. Han's death lingered with Ben, and, in tandem with the sensation that his mother is gone, Ben knows what he has to do. But he doesn't know if he has the strength to do it. Of course, Carrie Fisher's death made this hit home even more, but Harrison Ford and Adam Driver act the hell out of this scene, and it's stuck with me ever since. 

4) Ben Solo Comes To The Rescue
Perhaps, the biggest crowd-pleasing moment of the entire film is when Ben rushes in to help Rey. I'll touch on their bond momentarily, but it's such a triumphant moment when Rey passes his family's saber to him through the Force. In this sequence, he displays so much of his family's heroic bravado and even channels many of his father's iconic gif-able mannerisms. It's a phenomenal entrance and great payoff to his arc. Anyways, if there's one thing I'd tweak about the film, it would be for Ben Solo to live when all is said and done. I can accept his death and appreciate that it wasn't derivative of Vader's, but I still wish he'd survived. However, I really love that he was able to do what Anakin couldn't and save the one he loved from dying by transferring his life force to Rey. An upside regarding his tragic fate.

5) "Be With Me"

Another one of my favorite moments is when Rey hears the voices of the Jedi who came before. Heard in the scene are Anakin Skywalker, Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor and Alec Guinness), Yoda, Qui-Gon Jinn, Mace Windu, Ahsoka Tano, Luminara Unduli, Aayla Secura, and Adi Galla. While I'd hoped to see several Force Ghosts, I prefer this approach because Rey doesn't really know any of them aside from Luke, so their appearance would mean nothing to her. I think this is a nice compromise that doesn't detract from Rey in the scene. 

6) A Dyad In The Force

Something else I really liked about The Rise of Skywalker was the expansion of Force-lore. I liked how J.J. developed the Force bond between Rey and Kylo Ren prominently seen in The Last Jedi, as physical objects transcend their connection (something first teased by Rian when Kylo Ren wipes his brow and water droplets appear). 

Concerning their complex dynamic, I find the continued contrast between them very interesting. Rey is dressed in white and struggles with inner darkness while Kylo Ren is dressed in black and struggles with an inner light. Previously, there was the angle that Rey came from nothing while Kylo Ren is descended from a dynasty of powerful Force-users. Now, Rey is related to the ultimate evil in the galaxy, while Ben Solo's parents are the embodiment of hope and goodness (even his grandfather brought balance to the Force). While I don't think The Rise of Skywalker thematically-rich as The Last Jedi, it's become abundantly clear to me that The Rise of Skywalker is all about the power of choice. As I alluded to earlier, your destiny isn't predetermined by blood. Only you can make the decision to be good or evil. 

7) Ending Where It All Began

The ending of the film sees Rey travel to the Lars homestead on Tatooine to bury Luke and Leia's lightsabers. She's asked who she is, to which she eventually responds, "Rey... Rey Skywalker" after looking to see the Force ghosts of Luke and Leia on the horizon. Then she and BB-8 gaze at the twin sunset. There's, of course, the reoccurring motif of "twins" with the binary sunset, the twin sabers, and twin Skywalkers, which I kinda dig. Then, I also like that Rey's chosen to take up the Skywalker name. I've seen a wide array of opinions on this, but it doesn't really bother me. 

After my initial viewing, I felt very conflicted about many decisions made in The Rise of Skywalker. It's been a process for me to sort them all out, but I think I've come to terms with them all and found a greater appreciation for this ending now that all is said and done. I'm not expecting to change anyone's mind, but I hope that my thoughts have inspired others to find a greater appreciation for the things that disappointed them or the aspects they also adore! 

There's plenty more to discuss, but I thought this analysis would be an excellent place to start. I'll continue to post about The Rise of Skywalker and the Skywalker Saga in the coming months as ideas come to mind.

-May the Force be with you, always!

'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' Review

Nominated For: Best Visual Effects, Best Sound Editing, and Best Original Score.

Synopsis: The surviving Resistance faces the First Order once more as Rey, Finn, and Poe Dameron's journey continues. With the power and knowledge of generations behind them, the final battle commences.

Runtime: 141 minutes

MPAA Rating: PG-13 (for sci-fi violence and action)

Who should see it? Star Wars fans eager to see the end of the Skywalker Saga.

At last, the time has come to talk about another new Star Wars movie... And not just any new Star Wars movie. Directed by J.J. Abrams, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker concludes the nine-episode space opera, which first began forty-two years ago. Entering the auditorium, I was overcome with feelings of joy, sadness, and anxiety since I knew this story I cherished so much was finally coming to an end. Now, it's worth noting that this ending provides closure to the Saga while also leaving room for future installments. So we'll have to wait and see whether Disney and Lucasfilm maintain their stance on this genuinely being the end or not... Though, for the time being, this is it for the core saga. 

Those who know me are well-aware of what this franchise means to me, so naturally, it may seem that my opinion's slightly biased in the film's favor. However, I was very nervous about a good number of things. Before I continue, I'd like to preface my thoughts with a brief disclaimer, though... I'm incredibly gracious to have the opportunity to see The Rise of Skywalker early, so I'm going to offer my readers the same courtesy I'd expect from any other reviewer. I will tread carefully in writing my review to avoid even the slightest spoiler or plot detail currently unknown by the general public. At times, my critiques may seem vague, but I'll be more than happy to elaborate in a clearly marked spoiler review after opening weekend. It's taken time for me to process what I watched, and there was a lot of information to absorb. 

I want to start by addressing the elephant in the room. The Last Jedi is my favorite movie period. I have not been shy about this, but I am also aware of its divisive reception. One of my concerns regarding The Rise of Skywalker was that J.J. Abrams and his co-writer Chris Terrio might choose to "course-correct" and reverse specific creative choice made by Rian Johnson for the sake of mass appeal. I'm glad to report I didn't feel that was the case. However, when I returned to social media yesterday, I discovered a storm of controversy due to certain "retcons." I'll address this in more detail in my spoiler review sometime next week, but the magnitude of these "retcons" is being grossly overblown.

These "retcons" being answers to questions that fans have obsessed over since before the release of The Force Awakens. The answers actually altered my perception of the sequel trilogy as a whole, so I'm interested in rewatching it with them in mind. Still, I felt they made logical sense and didn't contradict anything previously established by Rian Johnson, George Lucas, or any of the other Star Wars filmmakers. For those concerned, I went into the film with a particular mindset of what I hoped wouldn't happen and was surprised that Abrams and Terrio convinced me otherwise on specific points. The execution sold me on the ideas I wouldn't have expected to like. So keep an open mind and go along for the ride before casting judgment. I'm still in the process of reconciling certain creative choices myself. 

Otherwise, J.J. Abrams absolutely delivers on the spectacle expected for a grand finale. The central lightsaber duel showcased heavily in the promotional material is unreal, and the final confrontation offers starship combat on a scale previously unseen in the franchise. I was also delighted to see Abrams and Terrio up the ante in terms of Force abilities. Needless to say, I was very giddy throughout and can't wait to experience my favorite crowd-pleasing moments with a packed theater of Star Wars fans due to the huge surprises in store! The technicality of everything ranging from cinematography to sound design to visual effects to John Williams' musical score was impeccable.

In a mega-blockbuster such as this, large casts are typical, and it'd honestly be excessive for me to discuss every actor's performance in excruciating detail. Therefore, I'm going to stick to the leads and significant supporting players, but know all characters, new and old, are great in it. If I were to single anyone out as a standout, it would be Daisy Ridley's Rey. This is the role that skyrocketed her to stardom, and this time around, Ridley offers her best performance yet. In her third and possibly final outing, Ridley feels more confident, which translates wonderfully to Rey's screen presence. Ridley also gets an opportunity to demonstrate more of her emotional range and excels on all accounts.

Opposite Ridley, Adam Driver continues to make Kylo Ren a very compelling character. Driver has quickly become my favorite actor working today, and he lends so much dimension to Kylo Ren with his multifaceted portrayal. This outing is no different, and Driver gives it his all! I was especially glad to see the unique dynamic between him and Rey further explored in greater detail because that's one of my favorite aspects of the sequel trilogy. Star Wars fans keen to see his devout followers, the Knights of Ren onscreen will be happy that they have some cool moments in the limelight. With that said, they're more-or-less an afterthought in the grand scheme of things so temper your expectations there. 

I'm sure many of you are rightfully wondering about Leia's inclusion, and I'll just say I was amazed at how J.J. Abrams was able to integrate archival footage of Carrie Fisher so naturally. Her presence lingers over the movie in a powerful way, and I'm glad to see Leia's send-off handled with such reverence. Among all the discourse which will surround this movie, I highly doubt anyone will be displeased with how she was treated. As for the other lingering inclusion, I was surprisingly pleased with the return of Ian McDiarmid's Emperor Palpatine. I can't say much else for fear of spoilers, but I was thrilled to hear his maniacal laughter once more, and his malevolent presence is stronger than ever! 

Returning to a galaxy far, far away, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, and Kelly Marie Tran comfortably reprise their roles in the fight against the First Order as Finn, Poe, and Rose. The marketing for The Rise of Skywalker prominently featured the companionship between the trio of Rey, Finn, and Poe, and they certainly had a great rapport between the three of them. Regarding the beloved legacy characters of Chewbacca, C-3PO, and R2-D2, Joonas Suotamo, Anthony Daniels, and Jimmy Vee are as endearing as ever, and each has memorable moments! Rolling back onscreen, BB-8 continues to delight while D-O is a fun new droid companion. Then, of course, it was truly wonderful to see Billy Dee Williams playing Lando Calrissian again. He may be 82, but he's still got his trademark swagger! Meanwhile, the new characters Zorii Bliss, Jannah, and Allegiant General Pryde, portrayed by Keri Russell, Naomie Ackie, and Richard E. Grant respectively, were terrific additions to the sprawling ensemble. If I didn't mention someone, it's likely because they had a smaller part or have a surprise appearance, but the remaining cast members fulfilled their roles to the fullest!

At times, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is too overwhelming for its own good. The opening thrusts the audience right into the thick of it, and there's a lot of information to digest very quickly. Perhaps, the pacing will improve for me on repeat viewings, but that remains to be seen. It's not my favorite Star Wars movie, but it never needed to be. In the end, J.J. Abrams stuck the landing and delivered a finale that's epic, entertaining, emotional, and incredibly satisfying. 

Film Assessment: A-

'Marriage Story' Review

Nominated For: Best Picture, Best Actor; Adam Driver, Best Actress; Scarlett Johansson, Best Supporting Actress; Laura Dern, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Original Score.

Won: Best Supporting Actress; Laura Dern.

Synopsis: A stage director and his actor wife struggle through a grueling, coast-to-coast divorce that pushes them to their extremes. An incisive and compassionate portrait of a marriage breaking up and a family staying together.

Runtime: 136 minutes

MPAA Rating: R (for language throughout and sexual references)

Who should see it? Teenagers and adults who are interested in emotional indie dramas.

Written and directed by Noah Baumbach, Marriage Story ranks among the filmmaker's most personal work. Earlier this decade, Baumbach experienced a divorce of his own, and I'm sure creating Marriage Story was his eventual catharsis. While I'm not married, I could at least relate to the onscreen heartbreak as a child of divorce. And in case it wasn't already apparent, you better have tissues ready because it packs an emotional wallop. However, I'd rather not reduce Marriage Story to the simple designation of "tear-jerker." There's surprisingly a proper dosage of humor to be discovered as well. Baumbach finds natural comedy amidst the tragedy, never forcing a joke for the sake of a laugh.

Aside from deftly handling contrasting tones, Baumbach strikes a delicate balance in presenting the perspective of both his leads. Baumbach has no interest in choosing a side or encouraging the audience to gravitate towards either corner. Instead, Baumbach depicts divorce as it is. A messy, complex disagreement between people who love one another. Both sides have valid concerns and interests in the details of their separation. Marriage Story feels especially authentic in that regard, as the couple begins on amicable terms, and animosity is encouraged by those surrounding them.

Baumbach's direction is subtle, but emotional beats are enhanced a thousandfold by the technical presentation. Everything from the blocking-to-Robbie Ryan's intimate cinematography channels the honest intensity of the piece. Notably, it's the work from editor Jennifer Lame and composer Randy Newman that hits the hardest. There are specific cuts, transitions, and motifs that will shatter your heart into a million pieces due to their symbolic connotations.

Sustaining the film's raw emotional core are first-rate performances from an incredible ensemble. Adam Driver is an actor who I've followed with intense interest since I was first introduced to him via Star Wars: The Force Awakens and this role is undoubtedly the apex of his career thus far. As Charlie, Driver's reserved introspection speaks volumes while his passionate outbursts gave me goosebumps. Opposite Driver, Scarlett Johansson also turns in one of the best performances of her career. She's three-for-three this year in my eyes. As Nicole, Johansson demonstrates a tenderness and ferocity in both the heartwarming and heartbreaking moments. The two really share a convincing connection to the extent that their history together is palpable. From the first frame, you'll believe they've been married for several years. Even though I knew their marriage was unsalvageable, I become very invested in their relationship throughout the runtime. To the extent that I suddenly began sobbing uncontrollably during one of their heated arguments. Even as an objective observer to a couple falling out of love, you find yourself concerned with the outcome.

It should go without saying, but the supporting cast is also exemplary. Laura Dern, Alan Alda, and Ray Liotta portray three wildly different lawyers with a varied array of eccentric personalities, and each one leaves a distinct impression. Meanwhile, Azhy Robertson provides a poignant illustration of a kid lost in the shuffle of a decision outside his grasp. 

Deeply affecting and littered with profound messaging about the nature of love, Marriage Story is one of the year's best films that will move even the most steadfast soul. You'll laugh, and you'll cry, often at the same time. But it's the crushing realism with which Baumbach depicts the calamity of divorce that makes Marriage Story so memorable.

Film Assessment: A+

'The Dead Don't Die' Review

Synopsis: The peaceful town of Centerville finds itself battling a zombie horde as the dead rise from their graves.

Runtime: 105 minutes

MPAA Rating: R (for zombie violence/gore and language)

Who should see it? Adult fans of zombie movies and comedies.

Written and directed by Jim Jarmusch, The Dead Don't Die is an absurdist comedy set at the start of a zombie apocalypse. In Jarmusch's film, there's a discernible degree of self-awareness. Characters frequently break the fourth wall to comment on their surroundings and the recurring use of a single Sturgill Simpson song. The dialogue is hysterical and usually spoken in deadpan, but the undead invasion is surprisingly sluggish. Jarmusch slowly introduces his sprawling, star-studded ensemble of survivalists, and this laidback, deliberate approach wears thin fairly quickly.

Zombie fodder is a necessity, but Jarmusch's divided attention prevents him from meaningfully fleshing out these eccentric personalities. Jarmusch whittles down his cast to narrow his focus on select individuals, but it doesn't amount to much. The town residents are merely vessels to impart Jarmusch's message that our society has become far too fixated on material possessions. These zombies are more concerned with finding the products they enjoyed in their past life than eating brains, and the undead mutter the names of these commodities as they stroll around Centerville.

As the poster's tagline suggests, Jarmusch has amassed a respectable grouping of A-listers to portray this collection of quirky characters. Bill Murray, Adam Driver, Tilda Swinton, Chloë Sevigny, Steve Buscemi, Danny Glover, Caleb Landry Jones, Selena Gomez, and Tom Waits are among those most prominently featured in the film, and each actor lends sufficient personality to their respective role. Murray and Driver carry an amusing rapport as police partners while Swinton's strange Scottish mortician Zelda Winston is a sure-fire scene-stealer on account of an off-kilter attitude.

Though it's a low-energy affair, the film remains enjoyable as celebrities engage in wacky antics and deliver side-splitting lines. Jarmusch succeeded in making a unique zombie comedy, but The Dead Don't Die never comes alive.

Film Assessment: B-

'BlacKkKlansman' Review

Nominated For: Best Picture, Best Director; Spike Lee, Best Supporting Actor; Adam Driver, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Film Editing, and Best Original Score. 

Won: Best Adapted Screenplay.

The year is 1979 and Ron Stallworth has recently become the first black police officer in the Colorado Springs Police Department. Determined to make a name a name for himself, Stallworth bravely sets out on a dangerous mission: infiltrate and expose the Ku Klux Klan. The detective soon recruited a more seasoned colleague named Flip Zimmerman into the undercover investigation of a lifetime. Together, they team up to take down the extremist hate group as the organization aims to sanitize its violent rhetoric to appeal to the mainstream. 

BlacKkKlansman is the latest "joint" from writer-director Spike Lee (his films are often referred to as such), and lending Lee a helping hand in regards to scripting, Charlie Wachtel, David Rabinowitz, and Kevin Willmott are all credited co-writers on this crazy enterprise. Oh, and by the way, it's all actually based on a true story with the real Ron Stallworth's memoir serving as the film's primary source of inspiration, as the title card reading "dis joint is based on some fo' real, fo' real s---" hilariously informs the audience. While the film's subject matter is certainly serious, BlacKkKlansman is equally comedic as it is dramatic. Humor is often employed as a means of disempowering racism, and it's remarkably effective. You laugh at the Klan members not for their disgusting comments and hateful attitudes, but because the film rightfully portrayed them as clueless dolts with a distasteful and ridiculous ideology. It's quite brilliant actually. 

In all honesty, I've never seen any of Lee's films before, but I quickly got the gist that he's not a man for subtlety. I could really care less what your political leanings are, but I can see some on-the-nose dialogue about Trump and the film's epilogue upsetting a certain sect, and I imagine there will be plenty of boycotts and things of that nature once white supremacists get wind of it. Otherwise, I find it hard to believe anything presented will be construed as offensive to anyone else. Regardless, it's going to get people talking and already has in a lot of ways. Whether it be the Oscar buzz and critical acclaim it's garnering or a serious conversation about racial relations in America, people are talking about it.

Best of all, is the fair, balanced take on many of the socio-political issues Lee chose to tackle. When it comes to those relevant topics, BlacKkKlansman never feels lopsided in the slightest. Though the film rightfully doesn't excuse abhorrent racist behavior either... In that regard, Lee expresses his anger at our situation today not only within the context of his narrative, but also in the film's epilogue which stitches together footage from the rallies and riots that occurred a year ago in Charlottesville. Sure to leave an impression on audiences, the video is infuriating and repulsive to watch. A harsh reminder that the problems plaguing these characters are real ones people have to face everyday.

As for production value, BlacKkKlansman is made in the style of a '70s blaxploitation flick and the film's atmosphere reflects that. The cinematography, costuming, production design, and score are all especially authentic to the era and exceptionally executed. Admittedly, a love-interest sub-plot could have been better integrated and on-the-nose political commentary seems out place in the context of the ongoing story, but these grievances are ultimately insubstantial. 

Performance-wise, BlacKkKlansman has it's fair share of all-stars. It should really come as no surprise that Denzel's son, John David Washington, would display a knack for dramatic acting as well as sharp comedic sensibilities, but Washington steps out of his father's shadow to prove himself just as capable of excelling in a leading role. Opposite Washington, Laura Harrier shines as an outspoken activist while Adam Driver is exceptional as per usual playing an undercover cop. In recent years, Driver has quickly become a favorite supporting actor of mine and is easily one of the most consistent actors working today. In the role of Zimmerman, he once again proves to be at home playing characters with a conflicted nature. Though his screen-time is fleeting, Harry Belafonte's recollection to an obscene act of violence is no less impactful, proving to be one of the film's most powerful scenes when all is said-and-done.

Meanwhile, to fill out the Klan, Lee needed actors who could qualify as both buffoons and ferocious psychopaths. By falling for Stallworth's ruse, a degree of incompetence was necessary, but the Klansmen needed to be a credible threat for the purposes of a realistic portrayal as well. Walking that fine line, Topher Grace depicts David Duke as a mild-mannered racist, Jasper Pääkkönen's Felix is about as despicable as they get, and Paul Walter Hauser, the breakout star of I, Tonya, continues to inspire bouts of laughter with excellent comedic timing as an inept Klansman.

To sum things up, BlacKkKlansman is not only one of the year's best films, but also one of 2018's most important. The Birth of a Nation is brought up as a 1915 blockbuster that inspired violence against black communities, but here's hoping Lee's latest joint is able to do the opposite and put racists back where they belong: out of sight and out of mind. 

Film Assessment: A-

Star Wars Speculation: Is Rey A Mary Sue?

It's the most wonderful time of the year, and I'm not talking about Christmas. Yes folks, we're merely four days away from Star Wars: The Last Jedi (or three, if you're gonna get technical about Thursday night premieres)! I'll be working at light speed to ensure my review is uploaded as soon as possible, so I'd say to expect it to surface online somewhere in the ballpark of Late Thursday night- sometime Saturday. It really just depends on what I'll want to talk about, and how I can best communicate those thoughts without spoiling anything. Anyways, this week I'm keeping up my streak of posts defending common criticisms towards The Force Awakens with my take on the Mary Sue dilemma.

As for other developments, I've laid out some semblance of a schedule for releasing my drafted reviews of more recent releases. I recently let you, the reader, vote for the reviews you would be most interested in reading, and I got enough responses to determine a general consensus. Coco was the clear winner, followed by Murder on the Orient Express (2017), Lady Bird, Justice League, and lastly Thor: Ragnarok. I had Blade Runner 2049 listed on the poll, but it was recently announced that the film would be released on digital December 26th, so you can expect to read my thoughts then. Otherwise, I'll see where I can fit other films in to try and avoid releasing more than one film review a day, but there may be some occasional overlap due to the mass influx that's about to it theaters in these last few weeks of December.

Is Rey A Mary Sue?

So, just what exactly is a "Mary Sue?" Well, I'm glad you asked. 

A Mary Sue is an idealized and seemingly perfect fictional character who is usually female, although there's a male term as well (Gary Stu). The reason I'm even invoking this discussion to begin with is because the character of Rey from The Force Awakens came under abrupt attacks for seemingly fitting the mold. 

I, however, venture to disagree with that opinion and feel I have sufficient evidence to do so! 

How is Rey so skilled at so many things?

At the start of the film, Rey has been alone on Jakku for many years. Just taking a gander at Rey's skillset, we know she's a scavenger who knows how to fight with a staff, can speak multiple languages, has some piloting experience, and can repair things. While that may seem like some "perfect person," it only makes sense that she would have picked up various skills in order to survive, especially considering she's force sensitive...

Yes, that's the clincher. Rey is strong with the Force. While that's not my only evidence as to why she's so skilled, I believe it's a contributing factor to her exceptional abilities. I know most people don't like the Prequels, but if you look to that trilogy and The Clone Wars, almost every Jedi in that era has a fairly well-rounded skillset. If you'd rather not look there, Star Wars Rebels and the Original Trilogy also offer plenty of force users with a rather robust skillset. 

But how did she...?

1) Fly the Millennium Falcon

2) Use a Jedi Mind trick

3) Defeat Kylo Ren

These are perhaps the three most cited examples that Rey is a Mary Sue, and I believe all of them can be quickly answered because they're slightly self-explanatory, but I'll break them down one-by-one:

1) How did Rey fly the Millennium Falcon so well through a crashed Star Destroyer?

First of all, Rey mentions that she's flown a Quad Jumper, which just evidences that she has piloting experience.

Secondly, if you're paying any attention at all, you'll notice that the ride's a little bumpy at first as she adjusts to the Falcon's controls having never flown it before.

So, how did she expertly traverse through a crashed Star Destroyer then? Well, as I just mentioned, she has piloting experience and clearly got the hang of things amidst the chase, but there's another piece to the puzzle that's often forgotten by those seeking to whine and complain for the purposes of whining and complaining.

Rey isn't just navigating through some random crashed Star Destroyer. She's flying through a vessel that's been there for the entirety of her life. I'd like to think she knows it like the back of her hand considering she's probably spent years inside the thing scavenging for parts. So I'd imagine her familiarity gave her a huge edge in that chase. Skills and experience truly come in handy when combined, don't they?

2) How did Rey use a Jedi Mind Trick?

I think this one just comes down to the fact that Rey was strong in the Force. Supreme Leader Snoke and Kylo Ren even say just that in their conversations after Kylo Ren's interrogated her. I don't believe a force user "requires" training in order to exhibit their abilities. They have the capacity to do these things without the training. The training, to me, is for the purposes of expanding and refining your abilities. It's not the sole determiner of your ability to do something. 

Luke used the Force to destroy the Death Star when he had hardly learned a thing from Obi Wan at the time. Of course, the training naturally helps, but I think it's reasonable to say that a force user strong in the Force can tap into it fairly easily once they set their mind to it. It's a matter of self-motivation rather than having to learn, per say.

For Rey, I believe she simply had a mental block till that point. She had no idea how powerful she was till Kylo Ren opened her eyes to her potential whilst interrogating her. 

Another question related to this that I commonly see crop up is "How could Rey have possibly known about Jedi Mind Tricks when the Jedi Order of old is long gone?" I think the answer is quite simple. Just because the Jedi are gone doesn't mean the legend surrounding them has vanished. Just look to A New Hope, where Han Solo, Luke, and numerous Imperials see the Jedi as a myth and hokey religion (I could cite various quotes, but I won't for the sake of length). When The Force Awakens opens, it's been several years since the Jedi Purge (Order 66) and Luke Skywalker has gone into hiding, so the Jedi practically are just a myth to the average person in the galaxy.

Rey clearly had heard stories of the Rebellion and Luke Skywalker based on her reaction to hearing Han Solo discuss everything. Therefore, I don't think it's a stretch to say she may have heard about the Jedi Mind Trick and just decided to test it out upon learning she was force sensitive to see if the stories were true. On top of that, she wasn't even successful on her first attempt so she's not exactly perfect...

3) How did Rey defeat Kylo Ren?

This is, without a doubt, the most annoying grievance of them all. There are so many contributing factors to this that I don't even know where to begin, so I'll just run through all of Kylo Ren disadvantages.

Does no one remember Kylo Ren getting shot in the gut by Chewbacca's crossbow in Chewbacca's epic fit of rage?

Keep in mind, this is after we've seen the thing blow away Stormtroopers and Han Solo has commented on its power. This hit Kylo Ren directly in the gut... which probably left more than a mark.

While it can certainly be argued that Kylo Ren used this to his advantage by pounding his chest to increase the pain and his connection to the Dark Side, there's no arguing against the fact he was bleeding out and dying. 

That's not to add that right before he dueled Rey, he was fighting Finn. Even though he easily disposed of Finn, he took a nasty blow to his shoulder. So before he's even had a chance to fight Rey, he's already critically wounded.

Oh, and let's not forget that he was under orders to capture Rey and bring her to Snoke alive. Now that we've acknowledged everything going against Kylo Ren in this fight, let's talk about Rey's advantages...

While it may be true that this was her first time ever wielding a lightsaber, she's pretty proficient with that staff of hers, and I don't think it's a stretch to say that the fighting styles would line up closely. Plus, we've already seen she's quick to adapt to things as she fared well piloting the Falcon for the first time.

And once again, her strong connection to the Force was especially critical in this fight. She's only just awakened to this newfound strength in the Force, so it's fair to say she had a slight edge there as well.

None of this is to say that Kylo Ren isn't adept with his saber, because that's obviously not the case. I'm merely supporting why Rey would be able to fight so well with a saber and why Kylo Ren wasn't at his A-game. Also, this wasn't some quick and easy duel for either side. It was a genuine, hard-fought struggle for both of them.

Now that I've offered my insight into how Rey could possibly be so proficient in many areas, I think it's time I defend against the belief she's some perfect character with absolutely no character flaws and who's never been defeated. 

Rey's flawed traits

Rey exhibits two particular personality traits that I believe make her inherently flawed (which is actually a good thing because you don't want a "perfect" character). She's naive in regards to thinking her family will return to Jakku and she's also afraid to embrace the unknown. When the lightsaber shows her various Force visions, she runs as far away as she can get because she's scared to take up some greater calling and become a hero. That's not how Rey pictures herself, but it seems to be her destiny, and she initially avoids it at all costs.

If Rey were truly a Mary Sue, I think she would have been far less reluctant to take up the saber and fight the First Order head on. She would have embraced the calling and experienced no internal conflict. 

Her moments of weakness

For my last hoo-rah against the "Rey is a Mary Sue" complaints, I offer examples of her major moments of weakness...

It's probably easy to forget, but Rey was the one who unintentionally released the Rathtars (the large round aliens from Han Solo's frigate). I don't think a "Mary Sue" would have made that mistake...

The most obvious example of Rey being caught in a moment of weakness though would be when she's easily apprehended by Kylo Ren on Takodana. Kylo Ren uses the Force to freeze her and make her unconscious so he can take her prisoner and interrogate her to learn of Luke's location. She was hardly able to resist whatsoever... 

Conclusion

Ultimately, the reason people are so passionate about whether Rey qualifies as a Mary Sue or not is because fictional characters should ideally not be perfect. Of course, I disagree with the Mary Sue claims, and feel I've reasoned enough of an elaborate explanation as to why Rey is not a Mary Sue that I'm extremely satisfied with her as a character. In fact, she and Kylo Ren are my two favorite new characters in this sequel trilogy if you couldn't glimpse that from this post and my Inferiority Complex of Kylo Ren write-up. So, of course we still don't know what the future holds for Rey, but we'll finally get a taste of that this weekend when Star Wars: The Last Jedi finally hits theaters!!

-As always, May the Force be with you!