If you are reading this review, there's probably no doubt you're going to see the new Star Wars film - regardless of what we have to say about it.
So far, the blockbuster has received nearly all rave reviews. However, this cinematic juggernaut is not without its flaws, despite having the nearly foolproof moniker of Star Wars attached to it.
Here are two perspectives on The Last Jedi.
Editor's Note: No major spoilers here, but perhaps some minor ones. (And a few spoilers for Episode VII: The Force Awakens)
From Interactive Media Producer Kelly Jensen:
Star Wars: The Last Jedi is a modern wonder to the senses. It has everything a Star Wars fan could want in a movie: foreign worlds, heart thumping space-dog fights, new creatures, crushing hand-to-hand light saber scenes, a masterful score, thunderous ground assaults and battle scenes masterfully composed.
It is not, perhaps, the technically accurate retelling of the Star Wars galaxy some baby boomer fans of the original series expect.
By 2017, one would expect Star Wars to evolve to a new saga in a galaxy far, far away.
All Star Wars fans know the wild success of Episodes IV-VI. They remember the tingly feeling they got when George Lucas resurrected the series with Episode I on May 19, 1999.
Then, they likely remember watching them a second time and cringing.
The disaster that Episodes I-III became didn't immediately set in for viewers because they were so excited to see Star Wars back on the screen.
In these early 2000s remakes, in spite of the terrible screenplay, George Lucas gave us something original.
We saw the rise and fall of Han Solo, the Scoundrel turned General. We met Anakin Skywalker, the boy wonder who wields the lightsaber of his eternally-damned father. And there was young Luke Skywalker and the coming of age of a galactic leader: Princess Leia Organa.
Star Wars is one of the most classic and renowned fights of Good versus Evil played out upon the big screen. And George Lucas told it first in an age of popsicle sticks and hot glue models.
The problem that Disney creates with Star Wars: The Last Jedi is this: there is nothing originally new about Episode VIII. But, the models certainly are eye-catching these days.
As the audience will see, the latest episode borrows the same themes present in Episodes I-VI and does little to create a new legacy.
The audience is left wondering where this story connects in the universe. (Albeit left wondering in the face of a two-and-a-half hour monster that, despite its plot flaws, has an incredible, poignant cast of actors).
Rey still has not received formal training, yet she wields a lightsaber and staff as masterfully as Luke Skywalker.
One may argue, "Well, she's naturally gifted in the force."
This is true, yes, but even Anakin Skywalker, boy wonder who was prophesied to bring balance to the force, had to hone his abilities at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant.
The copycat of old themes is a trick by Disney to reel in the new generation to love Star Wars.
This film does nothing to explain what exactly happened after Episode VI: Return of the Jedi.
There have been dozens of books written in the extended Star Wars Universe, commissioned by George Lucas and Lucasfilm as part of the Star Wars Lore.**
Disney took all that and put it in the trash, instead creating new storylines designed to play well on a big screen and to cater to the millennial generation of Star Wars fans.
What did we learn from Episode VII: The Force Awakens?
Luke Skywalker has been missing for 20 years over one bad student. Han Solo is still acting like a lost, wayward child stealing things, and Leia Organa is the leader of some obscure thing called the Resistance.
Somehow, alongside this, a Nazi-like organization called the First Order rose to command a huge military presence headed by, what appears to be, Lord Voldemort's Great Grandfather of House Slytherin: Supreme Leader Snoke.
What has happened to the story?
We saw three to five planets destroyed by Starkiller base in Episode VII: The Force Awakens.
Did the Republic just vanish and leave the fate of the galaxy to 400 members of the Resistance?
Star Wars, Episode VIII: The Last Jedi will wow audiences - and has impressed critics alike. Modern culture has been conditioned to love Star Wars, no matter what.
If the original story lines of the extended universe are important to you, you may find yourself disappointed with this 'new' story that relies on old themes and a few one-liners that fall short of, "I know."
However, the viewer is rewarded with gorgeous graphics, sweeping high definition scenes, and a stunning soundtrack. There are moments of wonder that could put even Episode IV to shame. But, then again, cinematography has come a long way since 1977.
If you want to get lost in all of these things: do it. Enjoy the cinematic masterpiece that director Rian Johnson has created, which is galaxies above JJ Abrams' take on Episode VII.
Star Wars has always been an escape for eager moviegoers to be swept up in its magic, and The Last Jedi holds true to this vision.
The Last Jedi can easily sweep you off your intergalactic feet, but in doing so, it may feel as though the proverbial Star Wars 'rug' has been pulled out from under some fans.
Overall Grade – 4.0 Stars out of 5.
From 9NEWS Promotions Manager Enrico Meyer:
The pressure to make a good Star Wars movie must feel like being trapped at the bottom of the ocean. Deep, alone and with only a very rare chance to make your way to the surface.
On top of that, following the positive reviews of The Force Awakens... for Director/Writer Rian Johnson, the pressure must have doubled.
In my opinion, he didn’t float to the surface, he strongly swam there - and then he treaded water until he made it to the rescue boat alive.
After having a day to think about it, I’m more impressed with how the movie turned out. To me, it felt like an actual film instead of a blockbuster Star Wars movie.
The acting was excellent, the direction phenomenal, and the camera work was top notch.
Some will disagree, but I thought for a two-and-a-half hour movie, it was paced very well.
There were some very smart plot points (and some not so smart, too).
What really struck me was this movie seemed all about the characters – how they are growing, discovering who they are, and how they need to get where they want to be.
How do these characters react when given power? Will they do good with it? Will they abuse it? Will it blind them?
What The Last Jedi does best is take everything from The Force Awakens, develop it, and set it up for the final movie in the trilogy.
What was particularly great was the lack of “Star Wars” nostalgia. The Force Awakens was nostalgia everywhere – Han Solo, Princess Leia, R2-D2 & C3PO, The Millennium Falcon, Chewbacca, etc. etc.
It’s there, in this movie, but it’s not consistently a factor. The movie also felt “real.” While there is a consistent CGI presence, it felt less green screen and more authentic. Much appreciated.
Of course, there are things that annoyed me: the consistent need to sprout off one-liners during the whole movie, some ridiculous plot points that will make you say “give me a break," and, quite frankly, the lack of a true sinister villain.
What this franchise needs is Adam Driver to act less emo and more Anton Chigurh (from No Country For Old Men). The action scenes were also a bit underdeveloped.
Overall, this was a very solid follow-up to The Force Awakens.
Lately, I’ve been reading it’s the “best of the series.”
I disagree – The Empire Strikes Back is still the best of the Skywalker canon. You just have to remind yourself going in – you’re not getting The Force Awakens with constant action.
You’re getting a movie ultimately about character development, which is something I’ve wanted from a Star Wars movie for a long time.
Overall Grade – 4.2 Stars out of 5.
**Here is a quick overview of what happens in the extended universe books. After Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, the Rebellion defeats the empire and goes on to take the seat of power in the galaxy: Coruscant. From there, the Rebellion becomes The New Republic and fights to battle the last remnants of Emperor Palpatine's Galactic Empire.
Leia Organa and Han Solo marry and have children, all of whom are force sensitive. Leia becomes a Jedi, as prophesied in Episode VI. Han Solo casts off the wondering traveler and becomes a General in the New Republic, leading the fight against the Republic's enemies.
Luke Skywalker opens a Jedi academy on Yavin IV and starts a new breed of warriors to protect the republic. That's what's supposed to happen. Can anyone tell me where that story went?
