Rian Johnson's Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi

Wow, just wow.

Written and Directed by:

• Rian Johnson

 Cast:

• Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker
• Carrie Fisher as General Leia Organa
• Adam Driver as Kylo Ren
• Daisy Ridley as Rey
• John Boyega as Finn
• Oscar Isaac as Poe Dameron
• Anthony Daniels as C-3PO
• Lupita Nyong'o as Maz Kanata
• Gwendoline Christie as Captain Phasma

Length:

• Approx. 152 minutes

Genre: 

• Epic Space Opera

​We’ve been waiting for this for two years and The Last Jedi was worth every moment, it is the movie I had hoped The Force Awakens would have been. It’s no secret that TFA is my least favourite in the Star Wars Saga (Rogue One in my opinion was a much better film) and I was worried about TLJ, but after seeing it at a midnight screening (strong is my connection to this franchise) opening day, all fears are gone. The Last Jedi is 2017’s film of the year for me.

Set immediately after The Force Awakens (therefore I recommend viewing it just before), The Last Jedi has several story arcs that flow together to form the overall plot that captures your attention from the first frame all the way till the last scene.

I don’t want to give anything away so I will keep this as basic as I can: Jedi Master Luke Skywalker begins Rey’s training. The First Order, led by Supreme Leader Snoke, Kylo Ren and General Hux start their takeover of the galaxy while attempting to snuff out the fledgling Resistance. Just be prepared for the major twists in the second act.
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The acting in The Last Jedi is brilliant, I can’t think of a single person who let the team down in any way. Hamill steps back into the robes of Luke perfectly; it feels like he never left them. Fisher is amazing as Leia, she will be sorely missed. Daisy Ridley continues to impress me with her acting abilities. Boyega is still a joy to watch, the man is funny and can do no wrong in my eyes. Oscar Isaac puts in another solid performance.

But it was Adam Driver who stole the show for me, in The Force Awakens he felt a little one sided but here… wow, it helped that the story fleshed out his character of Kylo Ren a lot but watching him do it on the big screen was a joy.

​Director Rian Johnson has made a visually stunning film by utilizing amazing locations and expertly crafted (both CGI and physical) sets, while also having a diverse group of beings.

"I walked into The Last Jedi sceptical and afraid. After just over two and a half hours I walked out smiling and thoroughly entertained."

Williams again outdoes himself with the score, bringing together tones of the original trilogies and injecting some newer pieces; the music has always been a big a part of Star Wars and Williams nails it.

Having seen The Force Awakens as a rehash of A New Hope and never watched a Rian Johnson film before I walked into The Last Jedi sceptical and afraid. After just over two and a half hours I walked out smiling and thoroughly entertained.
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Even though I still cling onto my Legends (the interconnected stories told by the old comics, books and games) timeline I am now open minded to the movies that Disney has planned. Yes, the first of the sequel trilogy was a let down for me, but Rogue One was amazing and as you’ve just read, so is The Last Jedi. We have only 6 months before Solo: A Star Wars Story is released, before the long 18 month wait for Episode IX and I’m no longer apprehensive, in fact I’m looking forward to them all. Legends is still my 'cannon' but no one can deny Disney’s Star Wars films are fun, for the most part.

9.5/10
 
Written by the Sith Lord Ronon Dan.

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