When I first saw The Last Jedi, I disliked it. Upon revisiting it, it is now my favorite Star Wars movie. My new perspective.....

Back in 2017, I saw Star Wars The Last Jedi on opening day. I had grown up with the franchise all my life and was hyped beyond belief to see Luke. I was let down, I felt as though they had ruined my childhood hero and as though they had invalidated the entire OT. I even had kind of became less of a Star Wars fan.

3 weeks ago, I was getting hyped for TROS. I then decided to watch all the films(Solo and Rogue One included) in chronological order to get ready and to also see if any opinions would change. I decided I’d give a deeper dive to TLJ especially. Little did I know, I’d end up adoring it.

Before I start, I need to say that in summer of 2018, I was diagnosed for severe anxiety and depression. I hated myself, would cry every night because I felt worthless and like I had let everyone down. I felt like I wasn’t the son my parents wanted or the person I was meant to be. I don’t like to talk about it much, but I was a complete self hating wreck.

Upon rewatch, I found myself relating to Luke. He felt as if he had let everyone down and that he was worthless. I felt as though a childhood hero of mine had the same struggle I did, it hit me in a way I can’t described. This person I used to dress up like is just like me, a person who has issues with themselves. It really clicked with me. I was not watching “Jake Skywalker” like I used to say, I was watching Luke at his lowest just like I had been. Luke is not a legendary hero, he is a person just like me and that realization made me love him all the more and love the movie.

Luke overcoming his anxiety and his issues at the end and saving the day was also amazing to see. He wasn’t there in person sure, but he didn’t need to be. Luke showed that he didn’t need to have a badass fight or take down the whole first order single handily to be a hero and inspire hope, that’s not what being a hero is about. He gave hope by simply buying time for the Resistance and growing out of his self loathing shell. After all those years, it wasn’t too late. To me that’s what Star Wars is all about. It is never too late to do what’s right. That change is not always turning to the light side, sometimes it’s as simple as to stop feeling horrible for yourself and attempting to make changes. This was a powerful message to me and is deeply saddening that I didn’t see this before.

I also found that I enjoyed Rose and Finn’s subplot more. His arc also mirrored Luke’s in that Rose looked up to him and he had to become the hero he is for her and himself. It wasn’t presented in the best way, but I do appreciate it. I also LOVE Kylo Ren of course. The movie was just an all around better experience. Though Empire is definitely the best, The Last Jedi is now my personal favorite and is a beautiful movie about rising above self hatred and making peace with your own self instead of a dark and light side conflict. I implore you guys, give it another chance. If you still hate it, that’s okay you’re opinion is valid, but I still think people should try to give it one more chance, especially those with prior or current mental health issues.