Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Rian Johnson
Writers:
Rian Johnson, George Lucus (Based on characters created by)
Cast:
Daisey Ridley (Rey), John Boyega (Finn), Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker / Dobbu Scay), Carrie Fisher (Leia Organa), Adam Driver (Kylo Ren), Oscar Issac (Poe Dameron), Andy Serkis (Snoke), Lupita Nyong'o (Maz Kanata), Domhnall Gleeson (General Hux), Anthony Daniels (C3PO), Gwendoline Christie (Captain Phasma), Kelly Marie Tran (Rose Tico), Laura Dern (Vice Admiral Holdo), Benicio Del Toro (DJ), Frank Oz (Yoda), Billie Lourd (Lietenant Connix), Joonas Suotamo (Chewbacca), Amanda lawrence (Commander D'Acy), Jimmy Vee (R2D2), and Brian Herring, Dave Chapman as BB-8.
Opening Sequence:
The new Star Wars film is finally here. The critics loved it, but as for the fan base, it's been receiving mixed reviews. Granted fans will be fans, but I have read many reviews from fans. The main complaint is the uniqueness of the film. The director took chances, even went all out, I'll explain later.
Maybe the fanboys wanted a more book oriented story, but instead, they got something original, and different. Personally, I think the fanboys are way off base. I'll explain later, but for now, let us jump to lightspeed and the review.
Review:
The story begins with an epic battle in space. The Rebellion on one side, the First Order on the other. Both blasting each other, leaving casualties on both sides. The Rebellion taking on more than they can chew.
A First Order Dreadnaught, a ship capable of destroying fleets of ships is under attack. The lone X-wing pilot Poe Dameron (Oscar Issac) maneuvers atop the Dreadnaught taking out the cannons. Without them, the Dreadnaught couldn't protect itself from oncoming, smaller ships.
Poe took a pretty hard hit, with the help of BB-8 (Brian Herring, and Dave Chapman) he was able to take out the last cannon. The Rebellion bombers did their part and were able to destroy the huge battle craft. Unfortunately, the Rebellion suffered casualties which afterward they were able to jump to lightspeed in safety.
Story:
The gist of the Last Jedi isn't what you might think. It's more than the Jedi or the Rebellion. The film's story is really about the characters and the tensions, interactions that come about. A good example of this is the very first scene. Leia (Carrie Fisher) was mad at Poe Dameron (Oscar Issac) because of the choice to attack a heavily armored spacecraft. The point to win was in Poe's mind, don't hold back, attack the opposition. The cost was too great, and the Rebellion lost too much in that battle.
Another example is the explanation of what the Last Jedi is. From what I gather Luke (Mark Hamill) wanted the Jedi to end. No more training, no more Jedi. His isolation was his own demon. He at first refused Rey (Daisey Ridley) because of what occurred long ago between Ben Solo / Kylo Ren and himself. Every action causes an opposite reaction, it's in science, and it happens to all of us in our daily lives. In Star Wars: The Last Jedi we see Luke refuse a young girl, also reminded him of Kylo Ren which the basic reaction was to deny her.
Rey and Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) were drawn together because of the Supreme Leader Snoke (Andy Serkis). He manipulated the situation to his advantage. So if these characters encounter one another, what will happen? Conflict, change, interactions, all these things occurred during this film. The lead characters managed to interact with a sole purpose. For Rey it was still searching for answers. Luke found his true path by helping Rey. Leia's purpose was simple, it was the pure understanding of what's to come.
The Last Jedi is about conflict within. Even with the difficult choices in the story. Luke made a choice, so did Rey. Her purpose was to find Kylo Ren and change him. Poe, Leia, Rose all the characters had made choices that somehow affected them or the other characters. The story of the Last Jedi is all about purpose, and the impact of the choices the characters made. You could even say that about Snoke (Andy Serkis). The evil bad guy made a huge choice. His interaction with Rey, getting her to do his bidding, but somehow he wanted his apprentice Kylo Ren to kill her. His choice wasn't keeping an open mind. His overconfidence was his ultimate undoing. Argue what you want but his attention was all on Kylo. A mistake that killed him.
Lore:
The magic of this film is nothing more than nostalgia. The blast from the past really gives you goosebumps. The film's crawl in the beginning. The way Luke walked in the Falcon. The lights kick on, the music slowly begins to rise. Star Wars in its excellence, a way to experience the beauty of worlds, characters, creatures, adventures, action, and the lore of the mysterious Jedi. The way Luke explained the Force to Rey was amazing.
The lore and magic of Star Wars the space opera. It manages to fill you with so many emotions, either love it or hate it the film reaches you like no other film. It's the magic of the film. It takes you to worlds, galaxies you've never been before. So if you ask me why Star Wars is so great, then feel, watch it in its full glory.
Fanboys:
I have read a lot of fanboy reviews and let me tell you the hate they have for this film is unnerving. One fan had said that he was disappointed, was overwhelmed by the film's lack of substance. The way Luke just chucked his lightsaber into the water. The same lightsaber that was his father's, he treated it like something that was never his.
My rebuttal would be simple. Luke is not himself, he is Dobbu Scay a made up person. His isolation and his refusal to be one with the Force was his demon. A lone demon he came to terms with. But thanks to Rey he managed to overcome it.
The answer to Rey's parents was given, yet it was still empty. The source of where it came from is somewhat a mystery. I liked the way it went down. Rey wanted answers and got something which made her an emotional mess. As far as the Rey background is concerned it went well. Got to remember there is another film in the works, and maybe all will be told then. Captain Phasma is the commander of the Stormtroopers, and if you thought she's uncool or stupid, then look again. She's a pretty tough trooper.
Everyone is complaining about the legacy, plot, which by the way I didn't have a problem with. The main villain wasn't Snoke. Fanboys have issues because he was killed too quickly. The emotional scene, and yet he was killed by his apprentice, Kylo Ren. Why? Pure and simple, the main reason was so obvious. The key character wasn't Snoke. He was just in the background. The key was Kylo and Rey. The scene was unexpected, and a huge risk and glad the director went in that direction because it worked. Nobody really cares about the books or the Jedi Lore. Only the film's storyline thus far. No Thrawn or any of the novel's characters, just the film's version.
End:
The film had its own direction which was something beautiful. Do I agree with some mistakes, or reshoots, whatever? The director/writer took a big risk which paid off in a big way. Fanboys are just angry they didn't get to solve the mystery. The Snoke mystery bad guy evil big Jedi master/Sith doesn't really matter. I guess Fanboys complain way too much because they have to just wait for the next installment.
We got a great story with some engaging characters in a galaxy, far, far, away. I guess that's not enough for people. The First Order managed to destroy the Rebellion, the desperate call for help was avoided. It never came to be. The helplessness was the beauty of this film. Luke, Leia, Chewbacca, and the new characters in the film was a great addition to the ongoing story. All in all, try to keep it together. The movie does give you shivers, a clear sense of nostalgia. Enjoy the movie, but enjoy the direction it turned. Keep an open mind and understand that the director wanted an original story and not the same old franchise mistakes.
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