Star Wars: The Last Jedi is predictably making serious money at the box office, and has received critical acclaim – as well as high praise from many fans too. The low audience rating which appears on Rotten Tomatoes now appears to be the orchestrated result of a negative review-bombing smear campaign by a group of closed-minded individuals armed with bots, people who believe that only heterosexual white males should be allowed to exist in Star Wars films. Meanwhile, the person who started a petition asking for the film to be removed from canon has backed down, explaining that it was the result of pain medication and frustration.
That isn’t to say that it was a perfect film, or that there aren’t understandable complaints about it being made by people who felt genuinely disappointed. The film does have its flaws. However, a great deal of the most outspoken online backlash is misplaced, and one of the biggest targets for the hatred of some viewers has been, unfortunately, Rose Tico.
Rose Tico represents everything that makes The Last Jedi a true Star Wars film. Her arrival isn’t heralded by a swell of dramatic music as she sits in her royal throne room, or by the striking visual imagery as she crosses a desert landscape before abseiling inside a Star Destroyer. Instintoshe wanders in to her first scene almost like an afterthought, before babbling like a star-struck crazy person. There’s no immediate reason to view her as being the film’s next great hero, and she certainly doesn’t fit the conventional image of one. But that’s what Star Wars is.
As fans, we’ve seen it repeatedly. In A New Hope, there was no reason to assume that a simple country bumpkin farmboy from a bland planet would become the galaxy’s greatest hero. He isn’t described as the Rebellion’s only hope, that role is given to Obi-Wan Kenobi and Luke is his naïve student. This nobody is forced to hook up with a selfish smuggler and his giant hairy sidekick, neither of whom seem all that important at the time. Together they’re the least-likely heroes to take on the might of the Empire. It’s easy to claim in hindsight that it had to be Luke because of his lineage, but in that first film the audience doesn’t know that.
Throughout the series, one of Star Wars’ defining traits has been its unlikely heroes. It’s a David vs. Goliath battle where we support the underdogs. Yoda initially doesn’t come across as a great Jedi, and the audience immediately underestimates him – as does Luke. The Ewoks are the same, a race of cuddly teddybears who should stand no chance of winning. The prequel films, unfortunately, got away from that, with the exception (unfortunately) of Jar Jar Binks – although at least the intention was there. However, the point that Star Wars keeps telling us is that nobody is unimportant. Everyone has a role to play, and greatness can come from anywhere in the form of anybody. It’s a message the latest film makes abundantly clear.
Throughout the course of The Last Jedi we learn a few things about this new character, who is propelled in the story from being just another nameless shipboard maintenance worker to a member of a clique of rebel heroes, before moving on to the dizzying heights of becoming a fighter pilot hero in her own right. We learn a little about her childhood, her family, and how she views the world. It isn’t much, but it’s more than enough to go on. What’s important is that we learn what makes her tick and why she’s one of the good guys.
One of the best moments which sums up her character perfectly, is when the crooked hacker “DJ” demands payment in advance for intoing in to a First Order ship. Finn argues with him, but Rose Tico cuts through it all by simply handing him her medallion. It’s something of monetary value, but more important is its emotional value to her, as it’s one of a pair – the other belonging to her late sister, who sacrificed herself to save the Resistance fleet at the start of the film. That Rose offers it up freely and without complaint, despite the deep personal significance it has for her, shows how much she believes in what she’s fighting for. It may seem to be a lost cause, and it’s taken everything from her… but to her it’s all worth it.
Much as greatness coming from anywhere is one of the core themes of Star Wars, so is sacrifice. The scale of it – and the motivations behind it – help to define the heroes as well as to show where they are on a personal level. Luke sells his landspeeder to continue his journey – but complains about how little he received for it, because he hasn’t yet committed fully to the cause. Han and Chewbacca sacrifice their old lives as smugglers, much as Lando does in Cloud City… but grudgingly. The abbreviation DJ stands for Don’t Join, and that’s their mentality too. They only sacrifice their old lives because they’re forced to by circumstance.
In A New Hope, Princess Leia makes a bigger sacrifice: that of her entire home planet and her adoptive family to defeat the Empire, and while the consequences haunt her she’s still totally committed to the cause that evil must be defeated at any cost. In The last Jedi we see the weight of decisions like that affecting her, while Poe Dameron doesn’t. It isn’t that he doesn’t care, but rather that he doesn’t understand the true nature of sacrifice yet. Rose Tico, however, does.
Despite the obvious difference in scale, Rose Tico surrendering her medallion without argument is the sort of decision Leia would make. It’s easy to believe that if she had more to give then she would gladly do so, because that’s the sort of person she is. Rose, a person who would normally be considered just a face in the crowd, a somebody who we assume would be a nobody, always does the right thing. She says that the key to winning isn’t by destroying what they hate, but rather by holding on to what they love… and those are more than just words for her. She truly means it, and backs it up in her actions.
And that’s what makes her one of the best new Star Wars characters in decades. She doesn’t have a flashy outfit like Captain Phasma, she doesn’t have a mask like Kylo Ren, the fighting moves like Chirrut Imwe, a fancy purple lightsabre like Mace Windu, or her own droid like Poe Dameron. She has an ugly jumpsuit, a stun gun… and lots of heart. And that last factor alone is what counts.
The Last Jedi is a great Star Wars movie, although it’s fair to say that it’s proven divisive – even if most of that division has been intentional. The film has everything fans could want from a Star Wars film, even if it also has a few things they don’t want too. It’s exciting and bold, and unlike The Force Awakens it dares to bring some originality to the series. Not everything works, but for the most part it does. If you’re going to complain about it, then at least try to complain about the genuine flaws.
But hating Rose Tico? That’s a big mistake, because she’s everything that Star Wars is meant to be.
Sacrifice is critical to the story? I agree. Which is why Rose stopping Finn from heroically sacrificing himself to save his friends makes the movie even worse.
Rose is the new Jar Jar and represents all that is wrong with this trainwreck of a film. She ruins finns sacrifice and nearly dooms the resistance. She just sucks!
You defile the majesty of Jar Jar.
She’s a decent character, but by no means one of the best. At least she had some development and a character arc (unlike the overrated Chirrut in Rogue One), but overall I would have preferred if Finn and Poe were in that journey to Canto Bight instead of bringing her. One of the brightest points in The Force Awakens was their wonderful chemistry.
But since she was Rian Johnson’s creation, I can imagine her taking a more secondary role in Episode IX now that Abrams is back. Unless she becomes a full-fledged fighter pilot or a soldier, there’s little possibility she could have a relevant role in the next movie. I mean, both Finn and Poe now know that unnecessary heroics and bravado aren’t the way to go, so that pretty much gives closure to Rose’s purpose in the story.
The author MUST be drunk :)
She’s an annoying little pudgeball.
This article has to be a joke right? Come on admit it. Rose Is the worst star wars character ever created. Worse then Jar Jar binks as jar jar at least affected the story and was alright in the TV show.
Rose Tico and Finn could have been left out of the film and nothing would have changed.
No she’s not. She’s the one of the worst if not the worst parts. No she’s definetly the worst…stupid fucking SJW bullshit of a character. Glad she died
Fuck Fat Asian Bitch. If you dare xD
Fuck Fat white bitch. If you dare. Stupid undeadpool
One of the issues with the Last Jedi was it had too many characters, Rose being the most pointless of them all. Cutting her character out entirely would have made it a better film.
There are many things in the world that is pointless and wasteful. One of which is you
Shes horrible! She sucks so bad. I puked every time she was on screen. What was filmmakers thinking? She was played by a Vietnamese actress and don’t call me racist because I am Vietnamese myself. This shit article is fucken feminist communist Propaganda and to think 1/5 of the Vietnamese population risked their lives to escape the despair of Communist Vietnam after the War to have to deal with this bullshit. Fuck you Disney and fuck you SJWs in Hollywood. You ruined my beloved Star Wars.
Agree with you. This article is like Rose: hypocrite propaganda
I’m not agreeing with you. This article is not hypocritical propaganda and it is nothing like Rose
Honestly, I feel like those that 1/5 population complains a lot and are nut. You should get therapy or learn how to understand what others are saying.
Good lord. Is it not enough to just like her or not like her? The best character in decades, really? Did you not see Rogue One? You really should.
No! The person who wrote this fucking article didn’t watch Rogue One of any prequel.
I’ve seen Rogue One. It sucks. All depends on taste
Great article! I do agree with the fact that she is a great character.
I would like to point out that you might have missed out the fact that Anakin Skywalker, introduced as a slave child in Ep 1, was also a great character who also adheres to the “greatness coming from anywhere” theme. If you started watching Star Wars from Ep 1 for the first time, you wouldn’t have guessed the little kid who saves Jar Jar, would end up becoming Darth Vader, the person whose story Star Wars is all about.
Also, yes Jar Jar was exactly that too. A symbol to show that nobody is unimportant, no one should be dismissed as useless and that anyone can have a huge impact on the world. So no, it wasn’t unfortunate, it was a symbolic parallel for Anakin.
This theme also applies to Rey, who we now know, had nobodies for parents. She rose just like Anakin did, from nothing and became the most important character. Also applies to the kid at the end of the movie, who seems to have Force abilities and might be a symbol for a new generation of Jedi to come.
The diversity hire. Very impressive. She sexually assaulted Finn. Put entire rebellion in danger over her obsessing. Seems real unstable.
Wow, I’m surprise Americans consider that obese. how thin are you? like 2 mm stick? lol
Ahem, okay… let’s do this…Thrawn, Mara Jade, Jaina Solo, Ben Skywalker, Anakin Solo, Darth Caedus, Kyle Katarn, Jan Ors, Dash Rendar, Corran Horn, Kyp Durron, Abeloth, the Yuuzhang Vong, Tenel Ka, Lowbacca, Cade Skywalker, A’Sharad Hett, Darth Krayt, Darth Talon, Darth Wyyrlok, Darth Nihl, Shmi Skywalker, Young Anakin Skywalker, Qui Gonna Jinn, Padmé Amidala, Cad Bane, Assajj Ventress, Quinlan Vos, Jango Fett, Durge, Calo Nord, Ahsoka Tano, Plo Koon, Mace Windu, General Grievous, Dutchess Satine, Savage Oppress, Darth Maul, Count Dooku, Mother Talzin, Echo, Cody, Rex, 99, Gregor, Boil, Waxer, Tup, Dogma, Pong Krell, Young Sheev, Young Obi Wan, Darth Plagueis, all of Delta Squad, Rush Clovis, Cin Drallig, Shaak Ti, Luminara Unduli, Barriss Offee, Kit Fisto, Adi Gallia, Jocasta Nu, Ki Adi Mundi, Yarael Poof, Yaddle, Galen Marek, Galen Erso, Starkiller, Juno Eclipse, Rahm Kota, Proxy, Maris Brood, Jyn Erso, Cassian Andor, Chirrut Imwe, K2 SO, Krennic, Nakari Kelen, the Kaminoan People, Death Watch, the Black Sun, the Exchange, Marka Ragnos, Tulak Hord, Freedon Nadd, Naga Sadow, Ajunta Pall, Ludo Kressh, the Rakatan Empire, the Red Sith, Emperor Vitiate, Exar Kun, Ulic Qel Droma, Nomi Sunrider, Darth Revan, Darth Malak, Darth Traya, Darth Nihilus, Darth Sion, Darth Malgus, Darth Marr, Scourge, Bastila Shan, Carth Onasi, HK-47, Jolee Bindo, Zaalbar, T3-M4, Juhani, Canderous Ordo, Meetra Surik, Atton Rand, Visas Marr, Mical, Brianna, Mira, Bao Dur, Kreia, Atris, Mandalore the Ultimate, Master Vrook, Master Kavar, Satele Shan, Jace Malcom, Theron Shan, Hero of Tython, Darth Bane, Darth Zannah, Bib Fortuna, Coleman Trebor, Deadeye Duncan, Tag and Bink, Ima Gun Di, Jabba’s Space Rat, the stormtrooper that hit his head on the door, Luke’s severed hand, and that one nibba who tried to sell death sticks to Obi Wan but decided to go home and rethink his life, are all better written, more interesting, more likeable, and just all around better characters than Rose Tico.
Ahem, okay… let’s do this…Thrawn, Mara Jade, Jaina Solo, Ben Skywalker, Anakin Solo, Darth Caedus, Kyle Katarn, Jan Ors, Dash Rendar, Corran Horn, Kyp Durron, Abeloth, the Yuuzhang Vong, Tenel Ka, Lowbacca, Cade Skywalker, A’Sharad Hett, Darth Krayt, Darth Talon, Darth Wyyrlok, Darth Nihl, Shmi Skywalker, Young Anakin Skywalker, Qui Gonna Jinn, Padmé Amidala, Cad Bane, Assajj Ventress, Quinlan Vos, Jango Fett, Durge, Calo Nord, Ahsoka Tano, Plo Koon, Mace Windu, General Grievous, Dutchess Satine, Savage Oppress, Darth Maul, Count Dooku, Mother Talzin, Echo, Cody, Rex, 99, Gregor, Boil, Waxer, Tup, Dogma, Pong Krell, Young Sheev, Young Obi Wan, Darth Plagueis, all of Delta Squad, Rush Clovis, Cin Drallig, Shaak Ti, Luminara Unduli, Barriss Offee, Kit Fisto, Adi Gallia, Jocasta Nu, Ki Adi Mundi, Yarael Poof, Yaddle, Galen Marek, Galen Erso, Starkiller, Juno Eclipse, Rahm Kota, Proxy, Maris Brood, Jyn Erso, Cassian Andor, Chirrut Imwe, K2 SO, Krennic, Nakari Kelen, the Kaminoan People, Death Watch, the Black Sun, the Exchange, Marka Ragnos, Tulak Hord, Freedon Nadd, Naga Sadow, Ajunta Pall, Ludo Kressh, the Rakatan Empire, the Red Sith, Emperor Vitiate, Exar Kun, Ulic Qel Droma, Nomi Sunrider, Darth Revan, Darth Malak, Darth Traya, Darth Nihilus, Darth Sion, Darth Malgus, Darth Marr, Scourge, Bastila Shan, Carth Onasi, HK-47, Jolee Bindo, Zaalbar, T3-M4, Juhani, Canderous Ordo, Meetra Surik, Atton Rand, Visas Marr, Mical, Brianna, Mira, Bao Dur, Kreia, Atris, Mandalore the Ultimate, Master Vrook, Master Kavar, Satele Shan, Jace Malcom, Theron Shan, Hero of Tython, Darth Bane, Darth Zannah, Bib Fortuna, Coleman Trebor, Deadeye Duncan, Tag and Bink, Ima Gun Di, Jabba’s Space Rat, the stormtrooper that hit his head on the door, Luke’s severed hand, and that one nibba who tried to sell death sticks to Obi Wan but decided to go home and rethink his life, are all better written, more interesting, more likeable, and just all around better characters than Rose Tico.
Ahem, okay… let’s do this…Thrawn, Mara Jade, Jaina Solo, Ben Skywalker, Anakin Solo, Darth Caedus, Kyle Katarn, Jan Ors, Dash Rendar, Corran Horn, Kyp Durron, Abeloth, the Yuuzhang Vong, Tenel Ka, Lowbacca, Cade Skywalker, A’Sharad Hett, Darth Krayt, Darth Talon, Darth Wyyrlok, Darth Nihl, Shmi Skywalker, Young Anakin Skywalker, Qui Gonna Jinn, Padmé Amidala, Cad Bane, Assajj Ventress, Quinlan Vos, Jango Fett, Durge, Calo Nord, Ahsoka Tano, Plo Koon, Mace Windu, General Grievous, Dutchess Satine, Savage Oppress, Darth Maul, Count Dooku, Mother Talzin, Echo, Cody, Rex, 99, Gregor, Boil, Waxer, Tup, Dogma, Pong Krell, Young Sheev, Young Obi Wan, Darth Plagueis, all of Delta Squad, Rush Clovis, Cin Drallig, Shaak Ti, Luminara Unduli, Barriss Offee, Kit Fisto, Adi Gallia, Jocasta Nu, Ki Adi Mundi, Yarael Poof, Yaddle, Galen Marek, Galen Erso, Starkiller, Juno Eclipse, Rahm Kota, Proxy, Maris Brood, Jyn Erso, Cassian Andor, Chirrut Imwe, K2 SO, Krennic, Nakari Kelen, the Kaminoan People, Death Watch, the Black Sun, the Exchange, Marka Ragnos, Tulak Hord, Freedon Nadd, Naga Sadow, Ajunta Pall, Ludo Kressh, the Rakatan Empire, the Red Sith, Emperor Vitiate, Exar Kun, Ulic Qel Droma, Nomi Sunrider, Darth Revan, Darth Malak, Darth Traya, Darth Nihilus, Darth Sion, Darth Malgus, Darth Marr, Scourge, Bastila Shan, Carth Onasi, HK-47, Jolee Bindo, Zaalbar, T3-M4, Juhani, Canderous Ordo, Meetra Surik, Atton Rand, Visas Marr, Mical, Brianna, Mira, Bao Dur, Kreia, Atris, Mandalore the Ultimate, Master Vrook, Master Kavar, Satele Shan, Jace Malcom, Theron Shan, Hero of Tython, Darth Bane, Darth Zannah, Bib Fortuna, Coleman Trebor, Deadeye Duncan, Tag and Bink, Ima Gun Di, Jabba’s Space Rat, the stormtrooper that hit his head on the door, Luke’s severed hand, and that one nibba who tried to sell death sticks to Obi Wan but decided to go home and rethink his life, are all not better written, less likeable and not as good as Rose TIco
Reply
An overweight Asian? Damn, those PC Olympics are getting serious
She is overweight? I don’t think so. Have you seen severely obese American? I think she is ok at this weigh. She is perfect. I hope your eyes will soon recover from whatever it is that prevent it from functioning
Garbage character.
your character and comments define garbage
Hi Rick, do you have a learning disability? Is there a legitimate reason to write such incoherent bullshit? She wasn’t a hero, because she didn’t do anything heroic. She didn’t accomplish anything. She didn’t add anything to the story. If you remove her from the film nothing changes except a couple of stupid lines.
The only reason for the creation of this character was to try and boost ticket and merchanidse sales in Asia. That’s it.
Are you triggered by an Internet article about a fictional character, Andrew? Maybe it’s time to pack it in and call it a day on this life thing since you’re obviously a turd that your mom forgot to flush.
Illiterate and uneducated racist
You are illiterate and uneducated racist
GO boy Go
nah the only reason they wrote a terrible script because they wanted to make this rose character unpopular. Use your brain. This actress is Asian… gosh, get a brain
Worst character in history of Starwars period.
Worst character
lol no
Why was she in the movie ?
Best Star Wars character in decades???? Alrighty then.
She gave major competition to jar jar
I think it’s ok for having an opinion eventhough you’re wrong.
No
No
This generations Jar Jar
FDR thinks she is lame.
so fucking stupid.
All the feminist posts relating to her character is the main reason I haven’t watched it yet.
P.S. I highly fxcking doubt that she’s the “best SW character in decades”
The best SW character in decades? Are you for fucking real?
yeah I agree. This article is over the top. She is not the best SW character in decades. Perhaps you should beg director to write you a role in there where you can roam and save people. Obviously SW director doesn’t care if you in there or not
When she missed fin, that was stupid.
Nope. She’s felt forced and like it was made so the rumors of a romance between Poe and Finn would end
Finn and Rose could didn’t be in the last movie and nobody would care.
I absolutely despised her after she saved Finn
WTF? She made Jar Jar Binks a Jedi… she sucks more than a bitch on duty in her period day…
you sucks more than a whore on duty in her period day….
I am ok with her as a character but I hope to god we don’t get a rose x Finn x Rey love triangle
SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS
She was mostly fine until the end when she crashed into Finn as he was trying to save him from sacrificing himself. That moment was so dumb because that act could have just as easily killed him, or her, or both. And it bullshit because she says it’s about “saving the ones you love” but it sure wouldn’t have saved the rest of the resistance because the Order destroyed their wall because of her.
Plus, Laura Dern sacrifices herself and it absolutely saved the resistance. Can you imagine how things would turn out if it was Finn doing that instead but Rose fucked that one up too? It would’ve killed the resistance.
She look like Rosie O Donnel
She was adorable and I like the message she had, but if **** hadn’t shown up, the rebellion would have died.
She was adorable and I like the message she had, but if **** hadn’t shown up, the rebellion would have died.
I think she was adorable
what you think don’t matter…. ummmm
I think she was adorable
No.
Mmmm…
Mmmm…
Uuuuummm…….
Uuuuummm…….
this author is stupid and doesn’t know what star wars is, but keeps trying to tell me what it is vaguely which just reminds me how much of a moneymilk fest this is
if you people actually like these new movies… i dont even know what to say to you. i hope you’re getting paid for this stupid opinion.
Just saw this movie last night, it was freaking awful. Rose is the worst character since Jar Jar inks and maybe the worst character in the entire Star Wars universe. Kathleen Kennedy and her band of SJW’s have destroyed this franchise.
Pretty much all I’ve seen from her supporters are “Shes asian and female whats not to love”, her character.
Just because someone is female and not white doesn’t make them the best character nor a good character, oops but since I’m white and not female guess im racist now.
Sir and or Madame you are clearly intoxicated or are in need of serious mental help, please seek it out immediately and best wishes for your recovery.