Some thoughts on why I like Luke's development and the whole movie - Spoilers

Rating: 8/10 (22 December 2017)

I am a devoted Star Wars fan. Luke Skywalker is my childhood hero. I have never ever commented on anything online, but after genuinely enjoying The Last Jedi I was so shocked to see all this hate that I felt like I had to do something. No-one has to love this movie, but such hatred? Let's spread some love....
I think The Last Jedi was a perfectly entertaining movie. I loved how it captured the spirit of the original trilogy: Everything was as old, shabby and dirty as I want my Star Wars to be. I particularly enjoyed the scene in which Poe Dameron accidently kicks through the bottom of that decrepit speeder. Hello, Star Wars, so good to have you back after those uninspired sterile shiny prequels.
Of course, it is not a flawless movie. An 18 hour slow motion chase in space as frame story? Unrealistic and a bit lame or maybe a good shot of self-irony in reference to the rebels awaiting the Death Star in A New Hope? I'm not sure.
Finn and Rose setting off on a mission to find a master code breaker to somehow get onto Snokes ship and deactivate the tracking device and all of this on Maz Kanata's advice? Fathiers? I didn't like the story line. I like Finn and Rose, though. Please let them do something useful next time.
The fighting scenes were darker and more sincere than they used to be but were unfortunately often ruined by a misplaced fun comment. Surprisingly, this did not bother me as much when I watched it the second time.
I could go on. However, I think those are minor flaws in an overall well-made film. I like how they make us say good-bye to our childhood heroes and at the same time make us welcome the next generation. Thus, I was surprised about the negative response to Luke's destiny. Let me please share my thoughts on it:
Another user, monum-563-227405, wrote: What happens to Luke is a nod to what happens in the original three. I totally agree, thanks, man! When I walked out of the theatre I was confused, shocked and heartbroken. I would have loved to see Luke as a mighty Jedi knight, training Rey and saving the day at the end of the movie in a powerful lightsaber battle. But let's face facts... Luke has never been a shining hero. Dear old Luke - idealistic, altruistic, sometimes a bit too naïve (but in a good way) and always first when it comes to helping his friends. However, these character traits come along with his sincere sense of responsibility. Luke has always been too hard on himself. Even in Timothy Zahn's books he is portrayed as always struggling and scrutinising himself. And let's not forget: He has never had proper Jedi training. So when he learns that because of his strength in the Force a short moment of weakness (the one second he fears Ben's turn to the dark side and thinks he has no other choice than to kill him) ends in such a disaster he takes the responsibility he believes he has to take. He gives up everything to protect the galaxy and his family from his powers - he breaks with the Force and the Jedi and hides on a desolated island. So a tiny mistake can never ever lead to such destruction again. To me this seems to be so in character! Also, it is in character that he reassembles all his powers for one last time to save the one person he loves the most - his twin sister Leia and her dream of bringing peace and justice back to the galaxy.
I was even more heartbroken about Ben and Rey breaking THE lightsaber. I literally stopped breathing. What a powerful scene and metaphor! Kudos to the filmmakers for having the courage to do that! My heart is still breaking...
So much for the farewells.
Regarding the welcomes:
Rey is a nobody? I am still feeling ambivalent about this. Maybe there will be more in the upcoming movie. Ben could have been lying after all.
I was positively surprised by Ben Solo. I have to admit I did not really like him in The Force Awakens. It did not feel like he was evil but rather a rebelling teenager. However, The Last Jedi made him show everything he's made of: Han's temper and cleverness, Leia's determination, Luke's pain and Darth Vader's cruelty. A dangerous mixture. I am certainly looking forward to seeing his future development. Even though there are a lot of new characters it is not the end of the Skywalker-Saga. Ben is a Skywalker after all.
Again, I could go on but this review is already too long.
To sum it all up I would like to say thank you to the filmmakers for breaking my heart. The Last Jedi is a good mixture of old themes and fresh ideas. Let us all take a sip of cocoa and stop the hating. And may the Force be with you... always.