Underwhelming

Rating: Null/10 (27 May 2018)

I share Hamill's disapproval regarding the evolution (of rather devolution) of Luke. His self-imposed exile made just about as much sense as Yoda's. In fact, it made even less sense because at least Yoda was acknowledging that he was getting too old to fight the good fight and instead decided to wait for Luke and Leia to grow up. Chances are he felt his time had come because of his old age. (In the originals we didn't even know why Yoda was on Dagobah)
Luke's time couldn't possibly had come yet; he was still perfectly capable of continuing the good fight. He would have made a powerful ally to the resistance along with his force sensitive sister (just like in the originals), yet he decided to just.. give up.
The son of the chosen one, savior of the galaxy, who resisted the temptations of the dark side, and was risking torture and death for the sake of his father, sister and friends.. just decided to give up on everything. Galaxy is in trouble? Meh. Sister is in danger? Meh. Solo in danger? Meh. That's obviously not who Luke is. Caring is a character trait for interesting characters, we can't have Luke be about that now that we have newer characters to sell. Only a few moments of last minute caring, and that's it!
The sentiment that the old has to go in order for the new to shine also is overrated. These people don't have to die to ease the transition between new and old, and you can't just toss Luke away simply because Rey now has to be the new Jedi star. It's kind of disgraceful for Rey because she is an interesting character portrayed by a seemingly skilled and beautiful actress. If you truly wish to remove Luke to make way for Rey then at least give him a more honorable passing.
Obi Wan had a perfectly fine passing. Same with Yoda and Vader. Solo's passing in the sequels was a bit meh but acceptable. Luke's passing felt like the studio didn't know how to get rid of him and so just tacked his illusion+suicide combo on in the end. I don't even mind that force illusions now is a thing, it's a cool trick.. but Luke's use of it just felt empty. everyone wanted to see Luke kick ass again, and although some people found the alternative acceptable I sure don't.