STAR WARS: The Last Jedi review

STAR WARS: The Last Jedi

starring Daisy Ridley, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher 

directed by Rian Johnson

A review by Helen J. Reynolds

The Last Jedi (episode VIII) follows on immediately after The Force Awakens, with the rebellion fighting the good fight but with fewer numbers and just one hope: Luke Skywalker. But before we go to him, we're thrown first into battle. The opening gives us an emotionally charged bomb-squad sequence commanded by Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaacs) that sets the tone for the movie. 

Poe's way of fighting is bold and gutsy: he goes rogue on orders, treats his enemies with humourous contempt and is fearless in action, but in this new era of Star Wars he is far, far away from being hailed a hero. In fact for most of the movie, his instincts truly endanger the rebellion. As Admiral Holden (Laura Dern) deftly puts it, 'A trigger happy fly boy is the last thing we need right now'. 

This is as much Poe's movie as it is Rey's. While Rey (Daisy Ridley) is off learning the ways of the force, Poe is realising the difference between being a hero and leading a rebellion. The difference is encapsulated in new character Rose (Kelly Marie Tran), who loses her sister to the cause and refuses to also lose Finn (John Boyega) in another suicide mission - lead again by Poe. For Rose, the rebellion isn't about fighting the enemy, it's about saving the ones you love.

Another strong message of the movie (and perhaps what fans are most tearing their hair out about) is the message that someone from nothing can rise up and become everything. Who are Rey's parents? What right does she have to such power? In the same way, Finn was just a number, Rose worked down in pipes... and then there's the little boy, sweeping the floor with a broom he grabs as though drawing a lightsaber... The force doesn't care about your bloodline; the new heroes of this saga are real and true rebel scum.

As for the rebel royalty, Leia (Carrie Fisher) and Luke (Mark Hamill) are given their exits. Leia leads the rebellion but with an air of someone who's lost too much. She isn't the spark that will light the fire that will destroy the First Order. But nor is Luke. Both have their epic and badass moments, but their time in this story is passing.

A lot of work goes into a middle chapter - the story from episode VII has to continue, almost seamlessly, only now questions have to be answered, and from this further conflict to build for IX - all without making the viewer feel like the action is slow or -worse- that their watching a filler! Rey and Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) are the core of this new franchise and in this film they are given a quite literal connection that glues them together. In The Force Awakens, Kylo Ren takes a backseat, nothing more than a petulant child in a mask, you might say. In The Last Jedi, he's given more screen time and has a far greater presence (admittedly helped by tight leather pants and a beauitfully naked torso in one scene). Rey and Kylo are young, conflicted characters and the moments between them are not only interesting to watch, they build the drama for the next installment.

 

Of course I have to also mention the porgs. Deciding to film on an island overrun by puffins meant that it was cheaper and easier for the filmmakers to turn them into the endearingly stupid-looking porgs. They had me at the obese BB-8 robot, now Disney has invented another cutie to keep the less avid Star Wars fans staring wide-eyed at the screen. If Chewie can't resist them, I don't know how I'm supposed to. 

Overall, it keeps the pace of the Star Wars movies with action in freefall the whole time and at it's heart it has the message of hope that rebellions are built on. The battle scene at the end is a standout with a twist that seems so obvious in hindsight but enjoyable nonetheless in a rewatch. In fact, re-watching gives the film further dimension and even makes Rogue One seem like an important movie to watch inbetween VII and VIII. The Hyperspace Tracking plan is read out in the vaults during Rogue One, and is a key plot point of episode VIII. Rogue One also explores tension and conflict from within the rebellion, which then makes you wonder about Maz's short battle appearance in The Last Jedi; a hint, perhaps, as to why no-one comes to the rebellions aid when Leia calls? Are rebels fighting each other now?

Highly recommended to see in 3D as the visuals are stunning and the universe is so lovingly crafted. Lots of humour to match and some great new characters to learn more about in the episode to follow...

A combination of:
Rogue One (2016)
Stranger Things (2016)
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay (2014/5)