Star Wars: The Last Jedi - 7 Big Problems It's Created For Episode IX

In a world where filmmakers, video game studios, and novelists have been ripping off the original Star Wars formula for decades, the saga's only viable options were to reinvent itself or face redundancy. The Last Jedi took the series off in bold new directions, but letting the past die is not without consequences.

Among those consequences is a Rotten Tomatoes audience score of just 50%, lower than any of the Star Wars prequels. Although Rotten Tomatoes is far from a scientific barometer for measuring a movie's reception, it's clear many fans were unimpressed with Rian Johnson's approach to the sequel, while others were incensed.

While many of the complaints levelled at the movie are unfair, others are legitimate. Johnson brutally cut down a thousand fan theories when he made Rey's parents nobodies and allowed Snoke's origins to seemingly die with him, and whether this was a case of shrewd curveballs or blatant trolling depends on who you ask.

Many also took issue with the movie's depiction of Luke Skywalker as a fallen hero who has lost faith in the Force and the Jedi. Again, much of the vitriol here is uncalled for since people change over the course of several decades, though there are some inconsistencies which cannot be ignored.

For instance, Luke's fleeting desire to kill Kylo Ren doesn't ring true since he's the one person who should have believed his nephew could be redeemed. He witnessed his father, Darth Vader, return to the light after committing countless atrocities and had no reason to assume Kylo was a different story.

The Last Jedi was the critical smash and money-spinner Disney and Lucasfilm were looking for, but no doubt the studios were hoping to strike more of a balance between pleasing the fans and scoring glowing reviews, if only to ensure everyone who saw it will return to the theatres to see Episode IX in 2019.