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Force Projection Luke was actually a great way of showing us the Jedi Master in his prime without the need for a flashback.
It’s not really a justification on anybody’s part as the intent of the scene and Luke’s appearance has been confirmed by the director.
His beard also looked pretty brown to me both times I saw it, and pretty much identical in the flashbacks. It’s slightly darker than his hair.
Do you mean you didn't notice any difference in Luke's beard color between him on the island and him showing up at the base at the climax of the movie?
Also, TaliBane, you are literally the ONLY person I've seen on the internet so far who noticed that the first time AND seems so annoyed by it. I'm sure you're not ALONE, but you seem to be in the minority. I've seen a few more people notice the lack of red marks under his feet. But no one who got all the clues. I don't see why any of this is a problem, anyway. It's SUPPOSED to function that way. You're supposed to, if you notice these things, go "Hey, wait a minute." I mean, subjectively, if that "took you out of it" that's fine. But I, respectfully, think it might be your own personal peccadillo. As mentioned above, Johnson intended for Luke's appearance to maximize Kylo Ren's irritations. So Luke looks younger, heroic, and with the blue lightsaber Ren so covets.
I mean I definitely was like ... soooo, Luke cleaned himself up to come out to this shindig, and thought that was kinda weird given the urgency of the situation.
Whether you did the "Just-for-Men double take" regarding Luke's quite different looking appearance or not (it is NOT subtle) the biggest question is... why even do the hair color change? For the abstract idea of "Luke deciding to appear as Kylo would remember him to further p*ss him off"?
For such an abstract idea, why run the risk of potentially spoiling the "he's not really there" surprise?
There are a long list of things about the Not-Hoth Luke scenes that make no sense (foremost being that Luke NEVER TELLS ANYONE that everything he's doing is a ruse to stall for escape time - Poe "just happens" to figure it out in time) but the dyed beard thing is a truly bizarre choice because for no pay off - at all really - it risks people instantly guessing the whole force holo-projector surprise reveal.
This is exactly what I mean - even for people who liked the whole idea, why run the risk of spoiling the surprise by having people do the "Just-For-Men double take"? At minimum you have the thought of Luke standing in front of a mirror with furrowed brow, tugging at his grey beard mulling a makeover. Why not just have him show up looking like he does on Ahk-choo?
The purpose of his look isn’t for the audience. And I think we’re supposed to kind of know that something isn’t quite right. Even given the clues, most people didn’t catch onto what was going on.
As far as Poe, I don’t think any competent leader is just going to stand there and wait on the possibility that one man is going to defeat the entire army that’s out there facing them. I didn’t have a problem with that aspect of it. Between the Holdo plot and this, is there a lack of communication that would probably solve some problems? Yeah. But as it is, I don’t take issue with it.
I also think Leia knew something was up when they were talking, as they give each other a look after he “touches” her, as if she knows he’s not really there.
But... if she knew he wasn't really there (thereby knowing it was a ruse,) why didn't she lead everyone out to escape as soon as Luke goes out there?
I'm more focused on what was actually presented onscreen. Luke suddenly showing up with a black beard I guess vaguely sets up "something isn't quite right" (more about confusion than "oh cool..." though right?) but in practice all it did was make people who are paying attention go "huh... why on earth would he dye his beard black?"
My point still stands - there was no good reason for Luke to have his beard be black, so they simply shouldn't have done it. It was a strange choice - as was not having Luke at least say to Leia - "there's something I want you to do..." (or "there's something you must know...") then cut out - ie. we now know Luke has a plan, we just don't know what it is, and realize in retrospect that it was the ruse/escape thing.
The reasoning for Luke’s appearance, beard and all, has been explained. I guess whether or not or how much that works for you is up to you. But it’s brown, either way lol.
"Explained"... 'nuff said.
I mean ... I knew the reasoning, and posted such, prior to Rian Johnson offering his public affirmation. I didn’t think it was that complex of an idea.
Additionally, everyone in the base is initially operating under the assumption that there is no way out, as 3PO states. They’re still operating under that assumption until Luke shows up and, as far as Poe is concerned, finds an alternative way into the base, which further leads him to trying to escape.
Now that... is NOT confusing.
They're sealed inside this bunker, no way out. Then Luke... randomly - somehow - shows up from nowhere. And then Poe - or someone there - is supposed to (without even a hint) realize that Luke has arrived solely as a distraction so they can escape... from a place they believe has no escape route.
You know - Luke suddenly showing up with a black beard with no hint of an explanation is really pretty minor when you consider the wider context of the Battle of Not-Hoth sequence.
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