Star Wars: The Last Jedi - movie review

Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Plot: Rey develops her newly discovered abilities with the guidance of Luke Skywalker, who is unsettled by the strength of her powers. Meanwhile, the Resistance prepares to do battle with the First Order.
Cast: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver
Director: Rian Johnson
Certificate: 12A (moderate violence)
Runtime: 2hrs 32 mins
Release Date: Thursday 14th December 2017

"This is not going to go the way you think." Truer words have never been spoken especially in regards to how the eighth installment in the Star Wars saga unfolds. That's right ladies and gents, as we return to a galaxy far, far away, yours truly has made a comeback for a brief period to reignite this blog once again. So, it's time to dust off the keyboard and crack on with my review of Star Wars: The Last Jedi. As always with my reviews, this will be free of spoilers however, with the film now released in cinemas for over a week, details such as minor story arcs and some plot developments will be discussed however, twists and surprises will all be kept under wraps for those that are yet to see it. So, shall we begin?

When someone goes for the last Pig in Blanket at Christmas...

My oh my, this film has really split the fans down the middle, hasn't it? Many are calling for The Last Jedi to be officially struck from the canon, for Rian Johnson to be removed from the directorial position of a future Star Wars trilogy and for this whole film to be wiped from our memory entirely. What a load of bollocks. Now, before I begin my thoughts on the film as a whole, if you didn't like The Last Jedi, that's ok. You're allowed to feel that way. But to ask the head honchos at Lucasfilm to remove this film from canon is preposterous. You can dislike a film. You can hate a film but the mentality of wanting it removed from Star Wars completely simply because it didn't go as you expected is just stupid. Not only that, but some 'fans' have been attacking those that liked this film online. Firstly, no one should be attacked for their opinion on a movie. Films are a form of art and art is subjective for each and every individual. Expressing your opinion on a movie is allowed no matter where you fall on the fence. Heck, I hate Evil Dead 2 (a horror classic adored by all) and I find a significant amount of enjoyment in the Transformers films. Secondly, this is Star Wars. We, as fans, are all about the notion of hope and prosperity. Just because someone disagrees with what your specific opinion is doesn't mean you should try and convince them that they're wrong and you're right. In fact, I'd love to have a discussion with someone who saw this film and didn't like it. So with all that being said, The Last Jedi appears to be the most divisive film since the prequels and that's OK. As for me, I freakin' love this film!

Leia lost the staring contest.

The Force Awakens, for the most part, was an overwhelming success. It crushed box office records, received a fantastic reception from critics and fans alike and introduced a new generation to the saga. However, a common criticism that I think most can agree on is that it bares quite a few similarities to A New Hope. One thing that I think most will say about The Last Jedi is that it is definitely not a carbon copy of any of the Star Wars films we've seen so far. It does have some parallels to The Empire Strikes Back and Return Of The Jedi but they are so inconsequential you hardly notice them. Rian Johnson has created a Star Wars film that isn't afraid to take risks and shape the universe in a way that we haven't seen before. One of the most fundamental risks Johnson takes is some of the character arcs and how they flow into places we wouldn't expect them to. Without giving away too much, we join the action mere moments after the conclusion of The Force Awakens. The Resistance is facing an uphill struggle against a constant barrage by the First Order and Rey encounters Luke Skywalker whom she begins to understand more about her place in this forthcoming war. Seemingly, the arc of Luke Skywalker has upset some fans. For any of you hoping to see Luke dust off those Jedi robes, bust open his green lightsaber and go toe to toe against Kylo Ren and the First Order, events may not play out as you had hoped. Luke is weary and old and Johnson does an amazing job in detailing that thirty-five years changes a person. His interactions with Rey are tremendous and whilst Johnson should be commended for his writing, it's Mark Hamill who should be praised for this interpretation of Luke. Despite revealing that he fundamentally disagrees with every action that Luke makes in this film, Hamill still gives it his all delivering the best performance he's ever given. Luke may not be lightsaber savvy anymore but the way he appears onscreen and his arc make this the best incarnation of Luke Skywalker I've ever seen. Johnson is also keen to not present Luke as some idyllic hero who can do no wrong. We are made aware that Luke is not perfect and has committed flaws, leading to his eventual disappearance, but I was fascinated that this wasn't a story of Luke being awesome and kicking butt all of the time. Instead, The Last Jedi serves as a redemption story for Luke similar to Logan which debuted earlier this year. Another character who is given a lot more to do this time round is General Leia Organa. I won't lie, this was tough to get through. Knowing that I was watching the final scenes of Carrie Fisher was beyond emotional and seeing some moments of her completely dominate the screen brought more than a few tears to my eyes. One scene in particular is sure to create some discussion, and you'll know it as soon as you see it, but I for one thought it was beautifully handled and whilst Carrie had not passed during the filming of The Last Jedi, it serves as a fantastic tribute for her. I'm sure if she was still with us, she'd be smiling down on the film with a middle finger extended because that's Carrie for you.

Someone hasn't passed their landspeeder training course...

However, it's not just characters from the original trilogy that come back in full force because those that we met a couple of years ago have returned and they do NOT disappoint. First and foremost, Daisy Ridley as Rey has become one of the most influential stars of the Star Wars saga ever. She has inspired so many that look to her as a role model and proved herself to be an absolute star with a very bright career ahead of her. In The Last Jedi, Rey goes through a very complex and emotional journey as she begins to tap into the force and attempt to understand who she is. Ridley gives a powerhouse performance and I am fascinated to see where her character goes from here. Another character who impressed me significantly in The Force Awakens was Kylo Ren portrayed fantastically by Adam Driver, who goes above and beyond in this most recent installment. Kylo Ren has always been one of my favourite aspects of these new Star Wars films simply because he doesn't seem like any typical Star Wars villain we've seen before. He's conflicted and fuelling himself with pure and unadulterated anger which causes him to make rash decisions. He views himself as trying to emanate Darth Vader and I think some fans were hoping for an antagonist that is on-par with Vader in terms of fear and ferocity. Kylo is far from that and is instead a much more unpredictable and irrational character. Not only does Driver give one of the best performances Star Wars has ever seen but he moves Kylo Ren in such a way that it signifies a fair few revolutionary changes for Star Wars. His relationship with Rey is transfixing due to both the chemistry between Ridley and Driver but also how Johnson uses the notion of the Force and twists it in such a way that it allows for the relationship between Kylo and Rey to thrive.

Snoke or Harvey Weinstein?

So we have Luke, Rey and Kylo up to their force-wielding antics on one side of the galaxy but on the other, we are reunited with Finn (John Boyega) and Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) as they embark on a mission to try and escape the clutches of the First Order. Poe is, yet again, as charismatic as ever and always loyal to his droid, BB-8, but Poe is given a far more significant arc than his disappearing act in The Force Awakens and that's not just because he manages to DRIFT A FREAKING X-WING!!!!! His arc deals with understanding that violence isn't always the key and sometimes strategy is the answer. He also comes to blows with Vice Admiral Holdo (Laura Dern) who, after a first viewing, didn't seem all that memorable, but after multiple viewings, settled down to become a very welcome addition especially after delivering one of the most jaw-dropping moments in the saga. Similar to the Leia moment, you'll know it when you see it because each and every time I've watched The Last Jedi, the entire cinema gasped in amazement. As for Finn, Boyega is as perfectly cast as always and proves to be one of the most enjoyable screen presences we've seen in a while. Unfortunately, his arc is where The Last Jedi begins to run into a few problems. Finn encounters a fellow Resistance fighter, Rose, played by adorable newcomer Kelly Marie Tran, and they must venture off to a distant part of the galaxy in the hope of aiding the Resistance getaway. Whilst this might seem fairly key to the plot, Finn and Rose's escapade served very little purpose to the overall film and felt more like it was ripped out of a Harry Potter movie. I understand the idea behind the sequence and how Johnson may have wanted to appeal to a younger demographic or promote a message regarding animal cruelty but its entire place within the film is utterly irrelevant. In fact, by removing that storyline completely, it could have helped with the runtime because, despite loving myself lots and lots of Star Wars, two and a half hours is a long time and sadly, I don't think The Last Jedi is as rewatchable as other Star Wars films. To put it into perspective, I saw The Force Awakens six times in cinemas. I've now seen The Last Jedi three times and unless an opportunity arises in which I'm asked to see it again, I doubt I'll watch it again before its DVD/Blu-Ray release.

I think Rey may have walked in on Luke having some alone time...

FACT: With the passing of Kenny Baker, Anthony Daniels is now the only remaining actor to appear in all the official Star Wars films.

Something that has come to be expected in the Star Wars films are the thrilling and adrenaline fuelled action and battle sequences and The Last Jedi doesn't disappoint. A specific space battle at the opening of the film is very different to what we're used to seeing in a Star Wars film but exciting nonetheless and the battle on Crait is also equally as thrilling. As for the lightsaber battles, I feel obliged to say that there aren't many but taking that into consideration, when they do appear, and apologies if it seems like I'm nerding out here but, HOLY SHIT, THEY ARE INCREDIBLE! A particular standout moment occurs at the culmination of the second act that is sure to make any Star Wars fan's hair stand on end. The action choreography is seamless but still retains the raw brutality that I found missing from the prequel fights. Rian Johnson has also crafted one of the most beautiful Star Wars films with stunning cinematography and shots you wouldn't usually expect to see in a Star Wars film. From a sweeping shot of Ach-To island with Rey training with a lightsaber to phenomenal shots that I need framed and hung in my room immediately, this is without a doubt, the most gorgeous Star Wars film to date. John Williams also treats us to another corker of a score that is certain to hit my Spotify playlist anytime soon. His score for The Force Awakens was good and I love some of the new themes he created but after listening to The Last Jedi score, I am rewarded with instant goosebumps and can immediately pinpoint what is happening at that exact moment. 

You spin me right round baby, right round.

However, in contrast to the music, and I'm sure Star Wars fans can attest to this, there is nothing quite like hearing that silence between the Lucasfilm logo until the words STAR WARS pop on the screen. Each and every time brings a grin to my face. Sadly, this is not a perfect film and alongside the unnecessary Finn and Rose detour, I was also not a tremendous fan of the some of the humour. Don't get me wrong, there are genuine laugh out loud moments but some of the time, Johnson incorporates modern day humour that doesn't gel well with the world of Star Wars. I'm also not a huge fan with some of the way some characters are treated. Some red herrings are pulled, of which I am a gigantic fan of but, once again, Captain Phasma is fairly irrelevant and Benicio Del Toro's stuttering slicer, DJ, has admirable intentions towards the story but once again, he isn't all that important and didn't serve a great purpose to the grand scheme of things. The Last Jedi also might have some of the best visual effects seen this year, perhaps tying with War For The Planet Of The Apes. Maybe the inclusion of Andy Serkis in both films could be considered a good Omen? During the space battles and sequences that require a large amount of visual effects, you hardly notice them and struggle deciphering what's real and what's practical. Snoke's visual effects have also vastly improved to the point where I was convinced that he was a blend of CGI motion capture and a practical suit/costume/makeup. And yes, for those of you wondering, the Porgs are cute and do not ruin the film *cough* Ewoks *cough*.

Chewbacca knows how to deal with backseat drivers.

Here is where we may stray into possible spoiler territory. I'll try and keep as many secrets under wraps as possible but this next paragraph will discuss potential storylines and my defence of them against some critiques against them. I must reiterate; if you do not like this film, I am not trying to convince you one way or the other. Think of this as just an explanation of why I love this film and admire the choices made that others had problems with. For me, it all boils down to fan theories. Film franchises and popular TV shows nowadays often spoil their fans by creating these storylines and then listening to fan response and then shaping the rest of the story in the hope of satisfying their fans. It's a case of "We did what you wanted us to do!! Are you happy NOW?!?" Just this year, Game Of Thrones followed through on the R+L=J fan theory and finally united Jon Snow and Dany in more than just the usual sense of the word. In the realm of DC, Wonder Woman smashed all expectations and Justice League contained a fair bit of fan service that made fans giddy with excitement. The Last Jedi does contain a good portion of fan service that slapped a smile on my face but in regards to fan theories, it all but disregards them and continues the story that it wants to tell and not necessarily adhere to the fans. Ever since The Force Awakens, and even before then, fans were theorising as to who Snoke might be or as to who Rey's parents might be. Allow me to say, without revealing too much, some things still remain a mystery and some of these questions are answered but it may not be the answer fans expect but THAT'S OK. Rian Johnson has pretty much listened to all of these fan theories and said "Nice fan theories" and then tossed them out of his way and continued telling his story. For anyone annoyed about this, you have to understand that fan theories are exactly as they're described. Theories (that likely bare no effect on the actual movie) created by fans (who don't really have that much of an effect upon the creative decisions). The fan theories have even become parodies of themselves with pages and pages dedicated to how Rey's parents are Poggle the Lesser and Sabine Wren from Star Wars Rebels and how the true identity of Snoke is the pear that Anakin slices in Attack Of The Clones. I think the moral of this gigantic and large-spanning story is that fan theories are fun to take part in and are a great way of expressing fan love yet might not have a major effect upon the narrative. There's a reason these people have been hired for their extensive repertoire and not some randomer from Reddit.

Beautiful.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi is the most daring Star Wars film to date. With Rian Johnson at the helm, this was never going to be a paint-by-numbers entry into the saga. Risks are taken that are going to fundamentally change the landscape of Star Wars forever and I adore that the story did not pan out in the way that any of us expected. The returning cast are all on top form with Ridley, Driver and Hamill being clear MVP's. First and foremost though, Johnson has nailed the feel of this being a Star Wars film by harkening back to the films of the past but also exponentially expanding the universe. I cannot think of a better person to introduce an entirely new side of Star Wars. Is this a perfect film? Alas, no. Is this the best Star Wars film? Alas, no. However, is this a Star Wars film that has been continuously playing in my mind ever since I saw it the first time and simply thinking about it excites me? You're Goddamn right it is.

My Verdict: 9.5/10

What did you think of Star Wars: The Last Jedi? Where does it rank for you in the pantheon of Star Wars films? Sound off in the comments below.

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