Feminists praise Star Wars: The Last Jedi

THE latest Stars Wars film has broken records at the box office, but not everyone is happy with the film.

THE recently released Star Wars: The Last Jedifeatures a number of lead female characters. Feminists have responded positively. But not everyone is so happy.

The Last Jedi might be the most politically divisive Star Wars movie yet.

Rey, played by Daisy Ridley, is the force-wielding main character in the trilogy. Meanwhile, Leia Organa, played by Carrie Fisher, is the commander of the entire ‘Resistance’.

Admiral Holda, played by Laura Dern, also features heavily in the film in an important leadership position.

Arguably the three most important figures in The Resistance are all women.

This is a major change from previous Star Wars movies. In Star Wars: A New Hope, Carrie Fisher’s character Leia was the only important female character.

NEW - Star Wars actor and feminist @JohnBoyega says “women are powerful and we’ve got to respect them” and pays tribute “our princess” Carrie Fisher #StarWarsTheLastJedi@minnieSteph5 pic.twitter.com/W63YrLccOM

— 5News (@5_News) December 12, 2017

Speaking about the number of women in the film, director Rian Johnson said: “It just feels right, especially now.”

“The fact that it is powerful for folks who haven’t seen themselves [reflected] on screen, as heroes and also villains, all types of characters … to see how much that matters to people, and how emotional that is, has been really impactful,” Johnson said, according to the LA Times.

Feminists have come out in droves supporting the film.

“Both in terms of women and non-white characters, there’s a celebratory inclusiveness that seems entirely in the Jedi spirit,” Anna Smith wrote in The Guardian.

“Here’s hoping the post-Weinstein era is finally ushering in the changes so many feminists have been campaigning for in film.”

The film also passes the Bechdel Test. To pass the Bechdel Test, a film must have at least two women talking to each other about something other than a man.

Okay, #TheLastJedi was fucking AMAZING and all this talk of death threats just shows exactly who the broflakes are. FIVE STARS, MARGARET.

— Clementine Ford (@clementine_ford) December 18, 2017

Internet dudes: Stop ruining Star Wars by making Leia & Carrie Fisher a feminist issue.

Me: pic.twitter.com/HkxTtvRp03

— Kelsea Stahler (@KelseaStahler) December 28, 2016

9 No-Spoiler Reasons Why The New Star Wars Is Awesome For Women https://t.co/dcLq2sIcID pic.twitter.com/RwEp5RvULT

— Women's Health SA (@WomensHealthSA) December 14, 2017

It makes sense that a certain portion of #StarWars fanboys didn't like #TheLastJedi, since its main message is that elitism sucks and that the Force is for all, not just self-involved manbabies with hero complexes.

— A Christmas Prince #1 Fan (@JennaGuillaume) December 18, 2017

Women Have Long Taken a Back Seat in #StarWars, But #TheLastJedi Finally Puts Them First: https://t.co/qqYo2EQb2s pic.twitter.com/mwOZgZYcy0

— IndieWire (@IndieWire) December 17, 2017

But some reviewers haven’t been so happy with the latest iteration of the Star Wars franchise.

The film raises the question as to whether characters in films should be chosen based on diversity or merit. Some argue that focusing on diversity over plot, makes movies worse off.

Remove the social justice elements and subplots from Star Wars and it would be 10 times better

— Joey Salads (@JoeySalads) December 15, 2017

Lack of diversity, microagressions, and safe spaces. It's Social Justice wars. #StarWars >> https://t.co/TMADYqyebx pic.twitter.com/IpTY2Qyq6w

— Steven Crowder (@scrowder) August 12, 2016

Originally published as Feminists praise Star Wars: The Last Jedi