The Way Matt Sees It

[Spoilers from Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi below] I would first like to say that I think that critically, Star Wars: The Last Jedi is a great film, and if I’m being completely honest, it’s exactly what Star Wars needed to stay relevant and fresh.   However, as a die-hard Star Wars fan, I was challenged along with lots of other fans about our expectations and desires for the story and characters.   After watching it a second time and reflecting on it for several days (and reading thousands of comments on Reddit), I feel like I’ve come to a better place. FIRST WATCH THOUGHTS: I first want to identify what “challenged” me.   It’s not what other people have complained about (Leia in space, Finn and Rose’s scenes, etc.).   For me, it came down to this: Luke Skywalker's role in the story. I was waiting for him to train Rey (after revealing that he was her father), swoop back in his X-Wing and personally save everyone by demonstrating hi...

Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith was the first Star Wars movie I had ever seen in theaters.   And Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens will be the second. I’m not really sure which Star Wars movie I saw first.   I remember watching bits and pieces as a kid, but eventually watching the entire Original Trilogy in order.   Being that I was so young and it was common knowledge, I don’t really remember being shocked by Darth Vader revealing he was Luke’s father.   But either way, by the time I was in middle school, I loved Star Wars. What really did it in for me was when Attack of the Clones was in theaters.   I was in third grade, and everyone was talking about it.   I wasn’t super into Star Wars yet, but even the girls I was friends with were talking about the movie.   My best friend promised that we would go see it together, and he kept talking it up.   We never actually went, but the more he talked about it, the more I ...

Recently I had an experience that left me offended and pretty angry.   I was mad for a few days straight and it consumed most of my thoughts for the week.   I felt that I was right about the situation, and felt justified being angry, but had no idea how to react or what action step to take. It’s pretty cool how God works, though.   I found the answers in my daily devotions that day: HUMBLE YOURSELF | Proverbs 11:2 “When pride comes, then comes dishonor, but with the humble is wisdom.” Even if you’re right in being angry, don’t make it about yourself.   Although you might have been sinned against, it doesn’t make you the perfect person, or the one who has to dish out justice.   Realize that you don’t have all the answers, and even if you aren’t sinning by being angry, don’t revel for so long in your anger that it does become sinning. SHAKE THE DUST OFF YOUR FEET | Mark 7:11 “Any place that does not receive you or listen to you, as you ...

THE HEART OF A JEDI… With Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens releasing this year, it's reawakened a deep Star Wars love inside me.  It’s funny how the Star Wars prequel movies are given so much flack for being so bad, yet are still loved despite some of their terrible qualities amongst Star Wars fans.   I definitely belong to this camp.   But I want you to hear my heart.   Although the prequel movies suck in more ways than one, they still hold a special place in my heart because they still belong to Star Wars. That being said, it’s a subject of debate amongst Star Wars fans which movie is the worst of them all.   It’s accepted that Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith is the best of the prequel films.   But of the two that remain…which is better? My opinion? Attack of the Clones > The Phantom Menace. I know that this is not generally agreed upon, but I have a strong opinion on this.   I’ll admit that I hav...