Whether you’re a Star Wars fan or not, there’s no denying the fact that the film franchise was wildly successful and quickly became a massive hit, garnering one of the largest and most loyal audiences ever. Anything even slightly associated with Star Wars is always a big deal and is a sure-shot fan favorite, be it action figures, books, or movies. The space-themed opera is owned by Disney and is the brainchild of American filmmaker George Walton Lucas Jr., the mastermind who is also credited with the creation of the Indiana Jones film franchise.
Set “a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away,” Star Wars takes place in a fictional universe where the said galaxy is ruled by the tyrannical “Galactic Empire.” The story leads us to a group of freedom fighters known as the “Rebel Alliance.” They resist the evil forces of the Empire, and their mission is to destroy the Empire’s newest weapon, “The Death Star.”
The film’s main protagonist, Luke Skywalker, becomes entangled in this conflict of good vs. evil while Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi teaches him the principles of “The Force,” a mystical power. Lucas has completed work on his first film, “THX 1138 (1971),” and claims to have gotten the idea for the sci-fi epic from “Flash Gordon.” It took numerous rewrites for Lucas to perfect the screenplay and script. The 1977 space saga was filmed in several locations between 1975 and 1976, including Tunisia and Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire, England.
A Brief History of the World-Renowned Film Franchise
The first film of the series was titled “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope.” It has been identified as a timeless masterpiece in cinematic history ever since. The 1977 blockbuster was indeed an ambitious and potentially legendary start for the adventurous sci-fi saga, and the concepts featured in the film were fresh, unique, and one-of-a-kind but highly well-received by audiences. It is an entirely immersive universe where one can get lost in no time.
Other reasons why the film series is so widely loved are perhaps George Lucas’ flawless and visually appealing storytelling strategies and the bold, career-defining performances by the cast, including Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Alec Guinness, Peter Mayhew, and David Prowse. Even the special effects in the film were quite decent for the late 1970s era. With the latest film being released in 2022, fans just can’t get enough of the Star Wars universe.
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Why is Star Wars so Popular Among Audiences?
It is safe to say that Star Wars completely changed the entire narrative and aesthetics of Hollywood films. The invaluable films have become a classic and have successfully stood the test of time. The films feature interwoven subplots with an incredibly compelling, meaningful, and intellectually deep premise, but it eventually always came down to the criminally simple and age-old dramatic conflict of the forces of good against evil. The iconic and unforgettable characters of Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Chewbacca, Darth Vader, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Han Solo are like the cherry on top of the cake.
The fandom still stands strong even today, with 17 films being released as part of the film franchise. The series includes live-action films, its comic book collection, and exclusive events for Star Wars fans like the world-renowned Comic Con that began in 1999.
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The nostalgic themes and phenomenal cinematography have made the franchise even more likable. Some fans claim to have grown up watching the film series day and night for the entirety of their childhoods. Luke Skywalker, a powerful Jedi Master, the husband of Mara Jade, and the father of Ben Skywalker, is undoubtedly one of the most loved characters from the Star Wars universe. However, fans seem to be disappointed with the way that his role ended in the film “Star Wars: The Last Jedi.”
What happens in “The Last Jedi?”
The tale carried forward the rich legacy of epic space adventures and was released in 2017. The film features Rey, played by Daisy Ridley, a young woman who shows considerable signs of the Force. She seeks Skywalker’s guidance to learn the methods of the Jedi. Her character was first introduced in the 2015 film “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” The battle for supremacy in the galaxy resumes as Kylo Ren, played by Adam Driver, and General Hux plan and lead the First Order in an assault against Princess Leia and the Resistance.
As per usual, the great responsibility of protecting the galaxy falls on Luke Skywalker’s shoulders, and he is seen making some difficult decisions for the sake of humanity. However, this film reveals one of Skywalker’s biggest and darkest secrets. It is revealed in the course of the film that he tried to kill his nephew and former student, Ben Solo. This act of cruelty by his uncle forces Ben to embrace his dark side as he transforms into Kylo Ren. Luke’s inner conflict and guilt as a result of his attempted murder plot forms a major part of the plot for this installment.
What happened to Luke Skywalker in “The Last Jedi?”
Well, for starters, Skywalker is forced to face his deepest fear and his greatest mistake as he is challenged for a final battle by Kylo Ren on Crait. An enraged Ren is seen engulfed by a sense of betrayal due to the fact that Skywalker was not only his uncle but his previous trainer and teacher. His uncontrollable anger and frustration ultimately become life-threatening for Luke. In an attempt for redemption, he confronts his inner demons and admits how wrong he was to even think of harming Ben. He tries to be the bigger person and offers compassion, apologizing and regretting his folly but to no avail.
The fact that he is now a 70-year-old man, beaten down by life’s cruelties and immense responsibilities, might have hastened his demise. Another interesting piece of information about his death is how heavily it borrows from the circumstances around Obi-Wan Kenobi’s death. Obi-Wan also passed away, becoming one with the Force, after he faced his former student Darth Vader in a fatal duel. The similarities between the deaths of Obi-Wan, the former Last Jedi, and Luke Skywalker are almost uncanny. Ren followed in Vader’s footsteps, while Luke chose to uphold and embrace Kenobi’s teachings.
It is as clear as daylight that Luke is now dead. The end of his character arc is poetically perfect as he passes away much more peacefully as compared to the other fallen Star Wars characters. He ultimately passes into the Force, indicating that he has attained inner peace and his connection with the Force was automatically re-established.
He dies a happy man as he is aware that he left no stone unturned in trying to make amends with Ben, and his only piece of unfinished business is now completed. Having faced his biggest failure as a Jedi, he passes away peacefully while staring at the two suns on Ahch-To. It is, therefore, safe to assume that his character arc has finally concluded in the Star Wars franchise.
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Audiences’ Reaction to Luke Skywalker’s Death
Although Luke Skywalker’s death is considered a weak link in the film, some even embrace its poetic nature, claiming that the ending was pure perfection and it could not get any better than this for the character and his plotline. The ending was written by Rian Johnson himself and remains one of the most common points of discussion among fans.
Perhaps people expected a more glorious end for the legendary character and found his end a little underwhelming. With the fanbase being divided, there is certainly a strong argument that “The Last Jedi” could have given Skywalker a more exciting end, considering how significant his role is in the trilogy. Whether it was the right decision to conclude the film this way is certainly debatable, but it was undeniably a thoughtful one.
