Everyone complains about Rey being a Mary Sue, but isn’t Luke the same way? Sure, he was trained by Yoda for like a month, but Anakin/Vader had been training to fight and kill since he was a child.
No. Not even close.
Luke had raw talent, but he was trained by Kenobi AND Yoda, and when he ran off half-cocked to face Vader, what happened?
Yup. He loses that fight along with his hand.
Answer me this; does Rey have any character flaws, and if she does, does she pay a penalty for it? Do those penalties have any lasting consequences (physical or emotional scars, loss of life or limb) that she must overcome in order to move forward?
Accusing Luke Skywalker of “being the same way” (he isn’t) does not excuse Rey’s problems as a character.
As for Anakin/Vader, he did have more training, but he’s also past his prime, half machine, and more interested in turning Luke to the Dark Side rather than beating him in combat.
Luke lost fights, lost comrades, and lost his hand. He had raw talent, but needed training. All he had in the beginning was potential. In his last confrontation with Vader, it was Luke’s ferocity and youth that turned the tables on an older and less agile opponent.
Most importantly, it was Luke’s belief in his father’s redemption and Vader’s final act to protect his son that won the day. Palpatine would have killed Luke otherwise. There was no “I am all the Jedi” moment for Luke Skywalker.
Everything Rey was given, Luke had to earn. Luke had to help rescue Leia and fight beside Han and Chewie to earn their trust and friendship. Rey was given Han, Leia and Chewie. Rey got those friends because Kathleen Kennedy and Lucasfilm said so. Kathleen Kennedy and pals wanted Rey to be accepted by the fans without having to work for it, so she shoplifted Luke Skywalker’s friendships, abilities and talent with the Force.
Rey and Luke are not the same. Luke is a hero and an icon. Rey is little more than a female empowerment avatar for Kathleen Kennedy.
Think I’m wrong? Kennedy is trying the same thing with Indiana Jones and Phoebe Waller Bridge. I don’t think the results are going to be much different.
