The choreography in this scene is great for several reasons:
1. It forgoes the “flynning” of the prequels. Flynning is named after swashbuckling star Errol Flynn, and describes a form of stage fighting where the practitioners use elaborate and entertaining moves while always being sure to hit each other’s weapons instead of actually going after each other. When you draw out a fight like that, the weapons start to feel less dangerous. It becomes all flash and no substance. Here, characters are stabbed, cut, and nearly maimed, and still manage to carry on with the fight.
2. Each character’s fighting style tells us about them. Kylo is practically berserk, destroying his surroundings in a blind rampage. He cuts through trees, drags his saber along the ground and melts snow, and sacrifices control in favor of overwhelming power. Finn is actually formally trained in the use of melee weapons, as described in the tie-in novel Before the Awakening. His moves are very rudimentary and adequately done, but he hasn’t had enough practice to do much beyond defend himself. Kylo Ren has done this enough that it’s practically second nature, and Finn only stands a fighting chance because his opponent is out of control and wounded.
Rey, as discussed above, is used to fighting with a staff, and would probably benefit greatly from a double bladed lightsaber, but manages to adjust her technique. What sets her apart is her ability to control her emotions, to not let fear and anger get the better of her. Finn is afraid and overly cautious, defending himself but doing little in the way of actually striking back, and Kylo Ren allows his emotions to run completely wild. But Rey is able to focus and let The Force flow through her, which gives her the edge.
3. There is so much emotion wrapped up in this duel. The prequel fights often fell flat because the emotional moments were separated from the actual fighting. Obi-Wan lets out a big, anguished “Nooooo!” when Qui-Gon is stabbed, but then he and Maul are back to fighting each other like champion fencers. Obi-Wan and Anakin’s duel at the end of Revenge of the Sith is focused largely on spectacle, while the big emotional moments largely happen before and after the fight.
Here, you can clearly see what each character is feeling just in the way they fight. The gif above shows how much weight and anger Kylo Ren is putting into his strikes. Finn is clearly terrified but presses forward anyway. Rey’s anger and fear are more restrained, but still clearly visible. There are plenty of emotional moments interspersed between the dueling, but they don’t feel separated from it, and that makes all the difference.
germansingergirl
vaporwave
2087
