Star Wars Episode VIII The Last Jedi, is brought to us by writer and director Rian Johnson (Brick, Looper). Returning characters and cast include General Leia (Carrie Fisher), Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Rey (Daisy Ridely), Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), Poe Dameron (Oscar Issac), Finn (John Boyega), General Hux (Domhnall Gleeson) and C-3PO (Anthony Daniels). Joining the cast are Laura Dern (Jurassic Park) as Vice Admiral Holdo, Benicio Del Toro (Guardians of the Galaxy) as thief/conman, and Kelly Marie Tran (a relative newcomer) as maintenance worker turn hero Rose Tico.
The Last Jedi picks up where The Force Awakens left off. Finn is still recovering from his injuries in the fight with Kylo Ren from The Force Awakens. Kylo Ren is still recovering from his wounds from that same fight. And Poe and General Leia are still leading the resistance. Then there is Luke and Rey. The final shot at the end of Force Awakens is redone here as Rey hands the infamous lightsaber to its owner. From all of these points the story begins. And that’s all I am saying. So much happens in this film that is critical to the Star Wars mythos that it must be seen without spoilers in order to obtain the full effect.
This is the Star Wars movie I have been waiting for years to see. Yes, I love Rogue One getting back to the era of the original trilogy, but The Last Jedi takes us places we have never been before, shows us things we have never seen before, and gives us things we never knew we wanted before.
Growing up with the original trilogy I have a strong bias towards for everything from that era. A Star Wars movie is not a Star Wars movie without R2D2 or C-3PO. The Star Wars Saga follows the Skywalker lineage. The musical score is done by John Williams. And I love the Ewoks. They were adorable and kicked the Empire’s butt. That being said I have a hard time accepting new things that try to replace my favorites. I don’t like anyone but Han and Chewie flying The Millennium Falcon. And I will say it here, I was NOT on board for these Porgs that everyone went crazy for immediately. I felt they were trying to replace my cute little savage Ewoks. Well I have turned, The Last Jedi won me over with the Porgs. There is not a barrage that overwhelms movie; in fact, the Porgs really don’t even factor into the story. It’s more like they are sprinkled throughout the film as you would spread sprinkles on an ice cream sundae. That’s how good this movie is, it makes you rethink and reevaluate what you take into the film and the Porgs are just one example.
In The Force Awakens, we were introduced to a new cast of characters whose adventures we will be following in future Star Wars films. And I am using the word “characters” to describe them because while they are all protagonists, not all of them are heroes. We don’t just see the struggles and trials of Rey, Finn and Poe; on the other side of protagonist coin we have Kylo Ren and General Hux. While both of these characters stand in opposition to “heroes” Rey, Finn and Poe, they are no less critical to the story. We see how Kylo and Hux represent different ideals and how each bring something to benefit Supreme Leader Snoke and The First Order. We also see how because of their differences they clash and that Snoke is the only one who can keep them in line. Then, behind closed doors, we also are privy to how they are affected by Snoke’s commands and actions on a personal level. Make no mistake, these are not good people, but they are still people and Rian Johnson’s film allows us to see that.
Providing dueling perspectives is not the only fresh thing we witness in The Last Jedi. There are moments in this film where we see things in space that have never been seen before. Yes we have seen starship battles, but we have never seen the likes of which open the movie when ace fighter pilot Poe Dameron shows off his skills as to why he is the best pilot in the Resistance if not just the whole galaxy. Then there are moments when during my screening not only did the film go silent, but so did the audience in complete shock and awe at a tactical maneuver that blew my mind. Space is not the only arena in which we see new and exciting things. The Force is used in ways I honestly never could have imagined and the explanation as to how it is done is so obvious and yet I did not see it coming. Where The Force Awakens reintroduced us as to what we knew Star Wars to be, The Last Jedi gives the possibilities of what it could and hopefully will become.
I don’t believe Star Wars The Last Jedi can be described in one word. It is altogether intense, fun, dramatic, funny, exciting, fresh, bold, and mind blowing. The Last Jedi is everything we expect and hope Star Wars to be and more.
STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI opens in theatres everywhere December 15th! Get your tickets now! You don’t want to miss this incredible film!
Find more info on the film by visiting the official STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI website: http://www.starwars.com/films/star-wars-episode-viii-the-last-jedi.
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