STAR WARS: Episode Ⅷ – The Last Jedi (2017)
directed by Rian Johnson
★★★★½
For the life of me, I cannot figure out why this movie got so much hate. Because it didn’t depict Luke as a flawless, unfailing Jedi Master? Because it featured a casino (in a universe that already had bars, diners, dance clubs, and underground speakeasies)? Was it the convoluted timeline of events (not unlike The Empire Strikes Back)? Or was it the strong Asian and female characters?
Episode Ⅷ had two options: play it safe and retread familiar territory like its predecessor, or be bold and different and subvert expectations. Writer/Director Rian Johnson had zero interest in taking the safe route and considering how heavily criticized The Force Awakens was for being just a “remake of A New Hope,” that was probably a good decision.
Personally, I love the way it turned out. Luke’s story arc is a fascinating one, and I think it better fits a character who (outside of Legends EU material) was always a little selfish and impulsive. Poe and Leia are given much bigger roles than before, with the former butting heads with Laura Dern’s General Holdo. Newcomer Rose Tico helps guide Finn through his inner conflict of whether he wants to join the Resistance or just escape the First Order. Rey is challenged by an older, jaded Luke Skywalker while she struggles with her sympathy for Kylo Ren.
We learn more about Kylo Ren’s history and Rey’s origins, and we leave with just as many questions as answers. This movie also has several memorable moments, both funny and emotional. On more than one occasion I was shocked by what happened next, but it never felt like shock for shock value’s sake. It all made sense in the context of the characters and story. From my point of view, The Last Jedi is second only to The Empire Strikes Back as the best entry in the Skywalker Saga, and the Star Wars franchise as a whole.
