Star Wars: The Last Jedi (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures) [Movie Review]

It’s been a divisive year for blockbusters across the board in 2017. A lot of fans seem to be split right down the middle or developing a love/hate relationship with franchises like Alien: Covenant, Blade Runner 2049 and The Last Jedi. It’s amazing to see fandom reach a level where people aren’t automatically in love with a movie because of the title on the poster. On the other hand, it’s kind of crazy to see popcorn blockbusters in a genre that typically gets dismissed as nonsense for decades see such intense scrutiny.

It’s strange to see one factor that’s elevated Star Wars to such incredible heights also be the source of a lot of backlash. In modern Hollywood, every movie is practically being pushed into becoming a franchise and has to be thought of as a brand. Star Wars is considered the measuring stick of which all franchises are compared to thanks to its global fan base, legendary storytelling, massive influence on pop culture and incredible characters. If Star Wars has taught us anything, there is no light without darkness. Because Star Wars is SO huge, every SW movie released from now on is held to an impossible standard because of how HUGE the audience is.

For some reason, a lot of people are surprised by how controversial and divisive the latest instalment of the Star Wars saga seems to be when the truth is that things were bound to change. The fact that Disney hired writer/director Rian Johnson whose previous credits include Breaking Bad, Looper and Brick should’ve been a clear sign right there. So immediately, because of Johnson’s bold style of storytelling, fans of the franchise are split down the middle and fans on both sides have things they liked and despised about the film itself.

The fact is, The Last Jedi is far more driven by character development rather than expanding the story. Rey’s training with Luke, Poe’s journey to become a leader instead of a warrior, and Finn’s love story all have plot points. The heart of the story is with Luke Skywalker and him explaining the deeper meaning of the role of the Force in the SW galaxy. One thing the film offers is a very strong villain in Kylo Ren.

Another divisive point is that the movie delivers all of the plot twists you never expect and none of the twists audiences wanted or think they “deserved”. The truth is, regardless of where you land on The Last Jedi, it has greatly expanded the storytelling options of the overall franchise.

It truly reinforces one great thing about SW that makes it the best movie franchise out there, which is that we have flawed heroes that often fail, and conflicted villains that think they’re doing the right thing. It delivers a tale of good and evil, but this particular instalment doesn’t deal in ANY clear-cut heroes and villains. Everyone has their triumphs and tragedies, which is the essence of drama, no one gets away clean.

Directed by: Rian Johnson
Starring: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Lupita Nyong’o, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie, Kelly Marie Tran, Laura Dern, Benicio del Toro
Distributed by: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Release Date: December 15, 2017 (United States)
Run Time: 152 minutes

Check out a Star Wars: The Last Jedi official movie trailer