Star Wars VIII: The Last Jedi

2017’s “Star Wars VIII: The Last Jedi“, written and directed by Rian Johnson.

Starring Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Mark Hamill, Oscar Isaac, John Boyega, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Carrie Fisher, Laura Dern, Andy Serkis, and Benicio Del Toro.

What is it about?

In the eighth installment of the Star Wars series, we continue on the arc set out in 2015’s “Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens”. We catch up with the rebel alliance fleet, trying to escape from the clutches of the tyrannical First Order. Having their work cut out for them, the rebels are lead by General Leah Organa (Carrie Fisher), with daring pilot Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac), and mending turncoat Finn (John Boyega). They are pursued by Supreme Leader Snoke (Andy Serkis) calling the shots from behind the scenes, with right hand men, Kylo Ren (a magnificent Adam Driver) and General Hux (a delicious Domhnall Gleeson) in pursuit, with nothing that would make them happier than seeing the extinction of the rebels. Meanwhile, Rey (Daisy Ridley), last seen travelling to a remote island to meet up with hermit Jedi Master Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), is trying to convince him to train her and help out the rebel alliance’s fight against the First Order. With protagonist Rey, and antagonist Kylo Ren, sharing more and more of a connection through the force, will the rebels be able to fight back against the advancing first order?

Why is it worth seeing?

There are 2 points:

1. In 2012, Disney acquired Lucasfilms’ rights to the Star Wars franchise, and Disney subsequently supersized and streamlined the Star Wars commodity. This is the third effort so far, with inevitable returns. Anybody who knows of the classic Star Wars trilogy will instinctively speak to the reverential series’ universal themes of the heroes’ journey (sorry “Rogue One” and prequels), combined with ground breaking special effects, and quirky comedic characters- and “The Last Jedi” is no different.

2. When J.J. Abrams took over the helm for the initial non-George Lucas involved “Episode VII:The Force Awakens”, some criticism was leveled at the movie’s preference for (perhaps slavishly) following familiar themes already explored in the franchise, particularly those of the seminal "Episode IV: A New Hope". With newcomer director and writer Rian Johnson on board for "Episode VIII: The Last Jedi", one thing that can be said definitively is that his effort dares to be different.

As established in “Force Awakens”, the protagonist Rey is a force of nature who doesn’t yet understand her newfound powers, or her role in the Star Wars universe. Here Ridley is masterful in utilizing her raw character, full of a sense of justice and uncertainty towards how she fits into the grand scheme of things amidst her great surge of talent. Similar to this theme is Driver, who’s Kylo Ren may be the greatest Star Wars villain ever realized. His anxiety and sense of unease (accentuated by a crackling light sabre unique to the typically smooth hum of Star Wars’ weapons’ lore), combined with an unexplained attraction to Rey, makes for a fascinating character study that takes the story in profound directions never before seen in the Star Wars universe.

Johnson’s ingenuity and ease with the Star Wars canon means that at times familiar beats can be subverted, and this alchemy results in dizzying highs that few films in the canon can match since the franchise’s heyday. It makes one very excited about the news that Johnson will be directing 3 standalone films in the not too distant future. Even dissenting opinions ought to have challenges finding fault with an integral throne room scene that’s not only a marvel of art direction, but exhilarating, refreshing, and tantalizing in it’s realization of the seductive powers of the force’s dark side.

However, being a Star Wars corporate tent pole, much of the “The Last Jedi” has painful communication exchanges, overly cute and irritating creature cameos, less than productive adventures on CGI creatures, too many characters/call backs, political themes too complex to adequately address, and hammy acting amidst unrealistic circumstances. The drawbacks of the series are overtly displayed, for maximum worldwide corporate returns. And it’s overly long running time is the result of a lagging middle portion that may not be necessary.

But with an exciting opening, some propulsive action sequences, and displays of force abilities never before witnessed, all wrapped around a story worth forgetting the lesser efforts of the Star Wars universe, “Last Jedi” is a breath of fresh air to the series that has characters worth caring about, exciting action sequences, and an element of mystery that is tantalizing to imagine. The force is strong with this one.

Rating:

4/5

Trailer: Click Here.