I will directly answer the question, but first, I think the following is super important to establish.
Luke used the Force to travel telepathically to a specific time and place in the universe. He then projected a Force representation of himself, both visual and audible, which he then moved fluently and believably. He was also able to see and hear what was happening in this specific time and place. Using the above, he interacted with both the rebels and, more impressively, fought expertly against a furious Kylo Ren.
No other Force-user that we know of has achieved anything like this. George Lucas has said Luke was special for his Force potential, and I think the wonderful scene in TLJ where Yoda comes to him made clear that Luke had never reached his true potential. We are treated to a continuation of the conversation between young Luke and Yoda and this time Yoda gives him the same basic lesson he tried to teach him decades earlier: quit focusing on the negative, focus instead on the Force and what is really happing in the present and how everything fits into the larger picture. Despite all the amazing things Luke had accomplished, he had never shed his bad habits and immaturity. This has always kept him from thinking, perhaps existing, on a higher level and truely realizing his full Force potential.
This time Luke understood.
We don’t see all that Luke went through following this, but we see the result: he becomes a serious, focused, caring and immensely powerful embodiment of the Light Side of the Force. We see him finally reach his potential…and what a display of power and control it was! It killed him to reach so far beyond what was thought to be possible, but Luke knew what it would take to save the last of the Resistance and, once again, bring new hope to the galaxy.
So, back to the question: Why do people say Luke was underpowered in TLJ?
I think they just weren’t paying attention.
The post was based on my Quora answer. Feel free to view that here:
Why are people complaining that Luke was underpowered in The Last Jedi? He took Rey apart and was only knocked back when she drew a lightsaber and dodged all of Kylo’s attacks. Answered Mar 27
