12 Problems Nobody Wants To Admit About Star Wars: The Last Jedi

4. The Yoda Scene Was Shameless Fan Service

Yoda Return of the Jedi
Lucasfilm

While it's hard to deny that Yoda's cameo appearance, in puppet form no less, was a fun surprise for fans, it was saw Rian Johnson being guilty of one major sin: shameless, unapologetic fan service.

Any franchise that grows big and popular enough has to be careful to avoid pandering to fans too much, and just about every series inevitably fails, because the pull of nostalgia is just too damn strong.

Star Wars has been as guilty as any major franchise over the years, and Yoda randomly returning to impart Luke with some playful wisdom is nothing if not a way to pander to fans.

That it was well-executed is to miss the point: as much as the movie's message was to "forget the past", Star Wars remains heavily dependent on it.

Advertisement
Contributor
Contributor

Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.