SPOILER ALERT!
Perhaps the most bittersweet aspect of Star Wars: The Last Jedi is the fact that it was Carrie Fisher's final performance as Leia Organa, her most iconic character. Fisher passed away unexpectedly last December after suffering a cardiac arrest. Fortunately all her scenes for the film had been shot and the filmmakers chose not to alter her role in the film to reflect the actress' passing. And Leia had some iconic moments in the new film. Perhpas her biggest moment came following an attack by the First Order on her Resistance cruiser when she was thrown out into space. She then used the Force to return herself to safety. This was the first time we have seen character actively using the Force (despite the revelation that she was Force-sensitive coming in Return of the Jedi).
The Last Jedi writer/director Rian Johnson spoke about his thought process behind this scene in a special live Q&A with Entertainment Weekly's Anthony Breznican, saying,
"I liked the idea it would be an instinctual thing. This would be more like stories you hear about parents of toddlers who get caught under cars and they get Hulk strength and lift the car up.
It would be something in these final moments to show that she’s not done with the fight. And like a drowning person pulling herself back, that’s how it manifests itself for the first time in her."
Leia's Force-flight was a powerful moment, and something I had always wanted to see from the character. It was beautiful to see. But the really emotional scene with Leia came later in the film when she was "reunited" with her brother Luke Skywalker. Lines like "I'm just glad you're here at the end" and "no one is ever really gone" took on extra meaning given what happened to Fisher last year and brought me to tears in the theater. Johnson and Fisher did a wonderful job creating the character's arc in the film and while I'm heart broken that we won't see her again, this was a beautiful send off for the character and the actress who brought her to life.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi is in theaters now.
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Leia flying around was one of the very few things I didn't like about this film. It made no sense at all. Loved the movie, but that scene didn't fit.
ReplyDeleteLeia's flight through space was perhaps the worst moment in Star Wars history. It was ridiculous. It was also filmed terribly. I loved the rest of the movie, but that moment almost ruined the whole thing. Her meeting with Luke had me in tears though.
ReplyDeleteThe princess Leia Mary Poppins scene..
ReplyDeleteIf Carrie fisher didn’t die… Which she finished all of her scenes for the last Jedi that part would’ve been fucking epic! We would’ve all been shocked like no princess Leia don’t die and then she use the fucking force to pull her back to the ship that would been cool I think that was out of his hands(the director )but she passed away and we were like thinking that we’re going to give her a goodbye & heartfelt farewell...And then floats back.. so I think that gripe problem is now put to bed… Less we forget she’s Anakin Skywalker’s daughter powerful with the force