I won't lie. Being a Star Wars fan, I'm bound to be overawed by a movie I have long been waiting for. It happened when the seventh episode of the franchise (The Force Awakens) was released in 2015, ten years after the last one. The wait for the eighth episode was not as long, given there was a spin-off last year, but the hype leading up to the movie was certainly there.
But, keeping the fanboy side of me aside, this has to be said: The Last Jedi is the best Star Wars movie. An epic in every sense of the word. If you were ever put off by the hype created by Star Wars fans, this ought to be your reason to join the bandwagon. (Of course, you have to watch the previous episodes first, but when was it not worth it?)
The movie goes beyond the euphoria of fantasy that J.J. Abrams stuck to in the seventh episode. Director Rian Johnson (of Looper and Brick fame) made sure that the action-packed sci-fi opera was gripping, replete with twists and turns. He has plugged nearly every gap left by the last movie and answers almost all questions about the characters with great care.
But what really sets this movie apart is its unpredictability and depth. It isn't your usual good versus evil narrative, but a much more nuanced take on the inner struggles of the two forces. It shows the extent to which fantasy can be made relatable. While continuing the age-old storyline, it charts its own path in that it sees beyond silly cultish elements and stays clear of being a pastiche.
Pardon my impudence, but what Christopher Nolan did to Batman, director Rian Johnson has done to this franchise.
The First Order, an extension of the Sith—under the leadership of Kylo Ren (Adam Driver)—are pursuing the shrinking Resistance, to wipe out any hope of rebellion against its domain in the galaxy. The rebels led by General Leia (Carrie Fisher), meanwhile, have sent Rey (Daisy Ridley) to find the last of the Jedi order, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), who has become a recluse.
Skywalker is the Resistance's last hope of saving it from the clutches of the First Order. Rey seeks to learn from him but the extent of her power terrifies him. As Rey goes from strength to strength, the Resistance struggles to keep Ren's forces at bay, with the help of Finn (John Boyega) and Poe Dameron (Oscar Issac). But, the soul searching is on both sides. Both Rey and Kylo Ren, two icons of the light and dark sides, are desperate to find answers; they feel a pull to the opposite side.
To divulge any further details will be disservice to the makers.
As always, there are plenty of Easter Eggs for the Star Wars faithful. Despite the depth in the plot, Johnson manages to bring in some humour in nuggets. The graphics and visuals are stunning and the background music needs no introduction; veteran John Williams sticks to his classic orchestral scores, which have become an indispensable part of the franchise.
There are plenty of action sequences, daredevilry and drama, complemented by some excellent acting. It may seem a bit long (156 minutes), but unlike the prequel trilogy, this movie has proved that the producers are well off without the influence of George Lucas, by the way this trilogy is heading. (Well, you can't really hate the creator of the series, but that's a debate for another day.)
Needless to say, the wait for the next and final episode of the trilogy (to be released in 2019) is going to be a long one. But, thankfully, The Last Jedi is proof that lofty expectations do not always end in disappointment. It is fitting that the producers leave these movies for the end of the year, because this is definitely one of the movies of 2017. It is a brilliant piece of cinematic work that the late Carrie Fisher would've been proud of.
Film: Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Director: Rian Johnson
Cast: Daisy Ridley, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, John Boyega
Rating: 5/5
