Star Wars: 12 Homages To Classic Cinema In The Last Jedi
2. Masada
As recently revealed by Johnson, this event mini-series of the '80s played an integral role in shaping the finale of the film.
By the time the Resistance make it to the surface of Crait, they are in critical condition. They are grossly outnumbered by sieging First Order and forced to barricade themselves into the deserted Rebel base. This results in a finale that is essentially a high-concept, sci-fi recreation of the finale of Masada, a fact which Johnson pointed out;
"This big walled city and the battering ram that the Romans were building, to build up, I just remember how terrifying that battering ram was. So that's actually the pull for me."
The First Order's use of the superlaser siege cannon is the Star Wars equivalent of exactly that, as they attempt to burst through the wall protecting the Resistance. This homage serves a similar purpose to that of the opening battle's reverence for Twelve O'Clock High; it provides an added layer of realism and stakes to the world of Star Wars.
By rooting the idea of it in historical fiction, it creates a meta-narrative about the nature of war itself, making it all the more impactful.