Star Wars: The Last Jedi Wasn't Created for Longtime Fans

Though the majority of critics enjoyed Star Wars: The Last Jedi, it's clear that the film has caused a significant divide among its fanbase. Many are praising the film for its different kind of humor and bevy of surprises, while others condemn it for the same reasons. The difference in opinion is too great to be dismissed as general squabbling amongst dedicated fans.

In expressing their hate for The Last Jedi, a lot of fans tend to reference the original trilogy, which is something many have been doing since The Force Awakens. Clearly, there's a gap here worth examining a little more closely.

The original trilogy immediately became a fan-favorite series because it brought something completely fresh to theaters. A space opera like this had never been done before, not with Lucas' effects and concepts. The tech and characters appealed to audiences, while the concept of the Force and the Jedi enthralled them. You'll hear stories from older fans about how when Empire Strikes Back was released in theaters, there were lines going around the block, a phenomenon that lasted for weeks.

Before Star Wars, there wasn't a lot of spectacle in filmmaking, but George Lucas' ambitious approach to special effects changed all that. The technical achievements alone made the trilogy worthy of recognition, and it continues to influence filmmakers today.

The narrative aspects of the trilogy were also unique. Prior to A New Hope, mainstream films never really focused on more abstract concepts like the Force. They were grounded in emotions that people were certain to understand, but the Force was different. Borrowing from Taoist philosophy, the Force can be understood as a medium through which anyone can connect to the larger universe. On paper, it sounds pretty wacky, but it worked and was one of the reasons people were so awed by the original trilogy.

The prequels undid nearly all of that. All mysticism surrounding the Force was overshadowed by-- aside from midichlorians-- the tedium of galactic politics and unnecessary drama. You can appreciate the technical innovation in them but other than that, the prequel trilogy couldn't quite capture the magic of its predecessor...or so it would seem. There's a disconnect there, as well. While older fans agreed that the prequels were just not as well made, younger audiences have fond memories of them and embraced them more readily and, much like today, they argued over whether or not those perceived flaws were actually the films' good points.

The prequels also brought more humor to the franchise. Not just the sarcasm that was littered throughout the originals, but the use of irony and slapstick as well. Those were used a lot more conservatively in the originals, but were clearly appreciated for most part by the new generation, even if they still complain about Jar Jar almost twenty years later. It's undeniable that while they weren't necessarily critically successful, the prequels were still unique.

We can see that the difference in opinion may quite likely be a generational thing. Younger people appreciated the new droids and elegant battles, as well as the more contemporary kind of humor in their films, which is why we see it more and more in mainstream cinema. It's a reflection of changes in attitude occurring over the course of forty years.

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The Force Awakens was just as different from the originals as the prequels were. And yet, there wasn't nearly as much of a disagreement from audiences, despite possessing arguably just as many flaws. It's possible that that's simply due to the power of nostalgia. Seeing the original trio back together in one film after forty years was enough to keep older audiences hooked, even as it made the new characters and designs less jarring. J.J. Abrams also made it a point to let people know it was his intention to ease long-time fans of the originals into this new world, which is why the plot was so similar to that of A New Hope.

So how does any of this explain the divide caused by The Last Jedi?

To figure that out, we have to start with a look at some of the issues fans seem to have with it. Many complaints are about the humor and the unsettling changes to beloved characters and designs. While it's true that this new trilogy is taking the franchise in a new direction, these issues are essentially the same ones we've seen before. This time, though, they come at a time when fans are more willing to be vocal about their opinions, which is partly why it feels more intense.

The humor is different, but this isn't necessarily a bad thing, so why are people complaining about it? The original trilogy was willing to include witty repartee and sarcasm, even in some of its more serious moments. It's why the late Roger Ebert once wrote, "What makes the Star Wars experience unique, though, is that it happens on such an innocent and often funny level."

The Last Jedi attempts to do the same, but it's coming at a time when those comedic tropes have become too familiar, saturating contemporary cinema in almost every action and adventure film. Instead of being funny, it might just feel overused to some -- particularly older audiences who have watched enough to see all that done before. The film's use of comedic tropes might therefore ruin otherwise meaningful moments instead of adding to them.

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Newer generations are still immersing themselves in those experiences, however. They're not necessarily tired of those same comedic tropes, they're not yet bored with the now-familiar spectacle, and maybe -- since they're perhaps more aware of world around them -- they are interested in galactic politics. The truth of the Star Wars saga is, while a huge portion of its fanbase is comprised of mature adults, the films never sought to please them. Lucas always had the kids in mind, and while the current trilogy seems to be trying to find a way to please everyone, in the end, the kids are more important.

The Last Jedi moved the franchise in a new direction, and its one older fans may not want to follow. The film made it clear that this new trilogy was supposed to help shed the old and bring in the new. This may mean shedding its old fanbase so it can appeal to a much younger one; a fanbase with different values and attitudes. Older audiences may not enjoy future Star Wars films as much as the originals, but their children will, and that certainly doesn't sound like such a bad thing.

Director Rian Johnson's Star Wars: The Last Jedi is in theatres now and stars Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, Daisy Ridley as Rey, John Boyega as Finn, Adam Driver as Kylo Ren, Oscar Isaac as Poe Dameron, Andy Serkis as Supreme Leader Snoke, Domhnall Gleeson as General Hux, Anthony Daniels as C-3PO, Benicio Del Toro as DJ, Kelly Marie Tran as Rose Tico, Laura Dern as Amilyn Holdo, and the late Carrie Fisher as General Leia Organa.