After a much lauded rebirth of the Star Wars franchise with 2015’s The Force Awakens (directed by J.J. Abrams), it is understandable why the 2017 sequel, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, this time written and directed by Rian Johnson (Looper), is one of the most anticipated films of the year.
To keep your mind at ease, I will attempt to keep this one mostly spoiler free. Picking up almost immediately after the 2015 offering ended (the first time a Star Wars film has done this), the remaining Resistance fighters are being mercilessly tracked soon after a First Order fleet has attacked their planetary base. Led by the unifying Princess Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher), she must try to navigate them away from General Hux (Domhnall Gleeson). By her side is the fast talking, wild-card hero fighter pilot Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac), who is no less spontaneous. Finn (John Boyega), having recovered from his injuries, has his own secret mission with Rose Tico (Kelly Marie Tran) – a new addition to the franchise.
As to the bigger cliffhanger, Rey (Daisy Ridley) finally meets the iconic Master Jedi, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), though the hermit-living former hero is understandably unhospitable to visitors. Living with his own past and demons, he is not the man he once was. . . his lack of attention providing Rey with the prospect (through a connection with Kylo Ren) to be tempted by the dark side.
As for the big baddies, Snoke (Andy Serkis) is still pulling the puppet strings while his protégé, Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) deals with his own demons after failing so miserably just a short while ago.
Though The Last Jedi makes some similar connections to the original franchise (much like its predecessor), it does not have as much of a nostalgic vibe (which to some, will be welcomed). It draws a closer comparison to 2016’s Rogue One than The Force Awakens, feeling a bit like a standalone. Sending most of its leads on separate missions (a risky proposition), some storylines feel more important than others – which come off a bit like filler (an alien filled James Bond-like casino feels like a bust. . . and wholly wasted opportunity). Another similar connection to the 2016 motion picture is that the new characters feel a tad one dimensional – we really don’t care much about them (sorry Laura Dern and Benicio Del Toro).
And, though it moves along at an entertaining and enjoyable pace (especially for a just over two and a half hour movie), there are some issues with the story, which means that it is more difficult to become emotionally involved in the narrative – never feeling as emotional and heartfelt as the trilogy starter.
Despite this, there is much to enjoy. Many will be surprised by the laugh-out-loud humour at several times throughout (an instance with Poe near the beginning, Rey’s struggles with the island’s caretakers, and a few excellent Luke Skywalker moments). It even makes fun of the Star Wars mythos – like when Snoke tells Kylo Ren to “take off that ridiculous helmet”. Also, there are some genuinely impressive action sequences (a battle towards the end is all the more mesmerizing as it is set on a white sand strewn planet that reveals red when the undisturbed land is moved – symbolic of both the bloody toll of these star wars, as well as the harsh effects they have on the natural world). Plus, there is something exhilarating about seeing more of Luke and Leia again (as well as a surprise appearance from someone totally unexpected) – even with Luke now being a mix between a more crotchety Yoda/Obi-Wan Kenobi mentor and with knowing that it was the last role Carrie Fisher filmed. And, there is absolutely nothing better than a sweeping, utterly epic score by the one and only John Williams (still creating beautiful work at 85 years of age).
On the cameo front, keep an eye out/or listen for Justin Theroux, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Tom Hardy, Princes William and Harry, as all appear somewhere in the film. Theroux is definitely the easiest of these ‘Where’s Waldo’ cameos to spot.
Bridging the gap between The Force Awakens and the closing film of the trilogy (to be released in 2019), The Last Jedi answers many of those burning questions from the first, and adds a number of new ones to the list. Though not wholly satisfying, it does hit many of the right notes. . . an expansive adventure found a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. Don’t worry, no dust has settled on this most recent action packed adventure, make sure to check it out to watch the legend grow.
I liked it a lot better than the regurgitated Force Awakens. Although you’re right about Laura Dern and Benicio del Toro. Every time I saw her I felt she had just dropped out of some other film and was in the wrong place. Overall all though, I came away feeling as though I had seen something (mostly) new, and it was worth it just to see the planet with the white sand. Breathtaking! And Kylo ten wasn’t quite as childish as the first one. (But that’s not saying much).
I liked it a lot better than the regurgitated Force Awakens. Although you’re right about Laura Dern and Benicio del Toro. Every time I saw her I felt she had just dropped out of some other film and was in the wrong place. Overall all though, I came away feeling as though I had seen something (mostly) new, and it was worth it just to see the planet with the white sand. Breathtaking! And Kylo Ren wasn’t quite as childish as the first one. (But that’s not saying much).