Rey and the sad devolution of the female character

[mos6507]

You can attempt to rationalize individual feats of skilling up that Rey performs but you can't rationalize all of them. In totality, she's a Mary Sue. Only those who have some vested interest in denying it, who take it personally to imagine that Rey being a poorly constructed character, are putting up a fight. Said people are never going to change their mind but if they ever dare step out of their silo they'll realize their opinion is a distinct minority.

You want to see a good example of level-up? Check out The Karate Kid or Kung Fu Panda. Want a female version? Watch Spirited Away or Kill Bill with Pai Mei. Rey doesn't earn her heroism. She is presented as if she's entitled to it, which is a millenial thing and it's not endearing in the least. It's also a JJ thing (like Kirk going from cadet to acting Captain out of nowhere) which is a big problem I have with his work.

 

[fireproof78]

You can attempt to rationalize individual feats of skilling up that Rey performs but you can't rationalize all of them. In totality, she's a Mary Sue. Only those who have some vested interest in denying it, who take it personally to imagine that Rey being a poorly constructed character, are putting up a fight. Said people are never going to change their mind but if they ever dare step out of their silo they'll realize their opinion is a distinct minority.

*steps out of silo* Oh, I'm in the minority. That's never happened before

And, yes I can rationalize all of them. It's part of my geekiness and has been since I was 8.

Edit: I'll add that those who think Rey is a Mary Sue are also never going to change their minds either, rendering the point rather moot.

 

[Ithekro]

What part of her skill set is out of line anyway? What amazing feats does she do that she shouldn't be able to do that aren't covered by the story itself?

 

[CorporalCaptain]

You can attempt to rationalize individual feats of skilling up that Rey performs but you can't rationalize all of them.

Funny thing, I don't have to rationalize any of Rey's actions. I don't have to rationalize something that I'm not bothered by.

 

[EnderAKH]

Funny thing, I don't have to rationalize any of Rey's actions. I don't have to rationalize something that I'm not bothered by.

A million times this. Her abilities did not bother me any more than Luke's.

 

[Reverend]

Come on guys, I think we should all just admit that it's totally unrealistic that someone who's spent their whole life dismantling, reconditioning and rebuilding ships, flying them, and fighting off thugs with a stick should have ANY aptitude whatsoever in repairing ships, flying them, or hitting people with a glowing stick!

 

[BillJ]

Only those who have some vested interest in denying it...

The only thing I'm vested in is the characters and stories being entertaining. So far, they are.

 

[fireproof78]

Come on guys, I think we should all just admit that it's totally unrealistic that someone who's spent their whole life dismantling, reconditioning and rebuilding ships, flying them, and fighting off thugs with a stick should have ANY aptitude whatsoever in repairing ships, flying them, or hitting people with a glowing stick!

True. Completely unrealistic. Took me straight out of the movie the 5 times I watched it

 

[LJones41]

Exactly. Lucas was directly drawing on WWII movies for that segment of the movie so that's the kind of (highly romanticised) story being told there. Back then, farm boy to ace pilot wasn't the impossible leap it is today, especially in the adventure fiction of the time.

Perhaps not in an adventure flick from the 1970s . . . Although I must admit that I found Luke's quick transformation from a farm boy/minor pilot to a military ace pilot rather hard to swallow.

Independence Day had a Randy Quaid going from crop duster to fighter jet. Although think it implied he had prior experience back in Vietnam? Experience was 25-30 years out of date, but may be more relevant

I do believe Quaid's character was a former Vietnam War pilot. I also noticed that he had seemed a bit overwhelmed when he got a look at the plane he would be flying and that Adam Baldwin's character gave all of the pilot vets a crash course in modern military aviation in the film. I still found it a bit unrealistic.

 

[crookeddy]

I still found it a bit unrealistic.

On the other hand, the rest of the film was like a scientific study of an alien invasion.

 

[CaptainMurdock]

Although I must admit that I found Luke's quick transformation from a farm boy/minor pilot to a military ace pilot rather hard to swallow.

Luke has had some piloting experience. In "A New Hope" he mentioned flying the T-16 skyhopper before. Biggs mentioned it as well.

 

[thribs]

I have no issue of her character and her being the lead of the new movies. I just didn’t like the way they offed Luke.

 

[CaptainMurdock]

Same here. I quite like Rey. She's my favorite of the new characters.

 

[CorporalCaptain]

Same here. I quite like Rey. She's my favorite of the new characters.

Ditto.

 

[thribs]

I also want her and Finn to hook up. None of this Poe/Finn nonsense.

 

[LJones41]

I also want her and Finn to hook up. None of this Poe/Finn nonsense.

Ditto.

Luke has had some piloting experience. In "A New Hope" he mentioned flying the T-16 skyhopper before. Biggs mentioned it as well.

Is flying a skyhopper similar to being a military pilot?

 

[fireproof78]

Luke has had some piloting experience. In "A New Hope" he mentioned flying the T-16 skyhopper before. Biggs mentioned it as well.

And Rey mentions piloting as well.

But, in the face of arguments against Rey, I have to point out that Luke sliding in to a military squadron and engaging in dogfighting is not quite the same as just flying. So, it's a stretch

I also want her and Finn to hook up. None of this Poe/Finn nonsense.

Nope. No hook ups in the series...please! I don't Rey and Finn, or Finn and Rose, or Finn and Poe, or BB-8 and evil BB 8, Rey and Kylo, or Chewie and the Resistance doctor. Just no more!

 

[CaptainMurdock]

Is flying a skyhopper similar to being a military pilot?

Having played the Rogue Squadron games, they fly the same.

 

[thribs]

Nope. No hook ups in the series...please! I don't Rey and Finn, or Finn and Rose, or Finn and Poe, or BB-8 and evil BB 8, Rey and Kylo, or Chewie and the Resistance doctor. Just no more!

You don’t seem to like anything fun.

 

[fireproof78]

You don’t seem to like anything fun.

I like lightsaber battles and space ships. That's as fun as I get