Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi

2015's The Force Awakens was accused by many of playing it too safe, and sticking too close to traditions of the Star Wars franchise.  I beg to differ.  I found the film an exhilarating mix that split the difference between the love many people hold for the original 1977-1983 film trilogy, and introducing enticing new characters and elements.  It was a smart way to ease viewers into this new world, offering plenty of nostalgia, and exciting the viewers about new possibilities.  Sure, it's easy to argue that the film was essentially a modern remix of the very first film, but I thought it held enough of its own value to be a lot of fun.

With The Last Jedi, writer-director Rian Johnson again falls back on some familiar elements, but if anything, he makes some daring choices that will no doubt make this one of the most divisive films in the series' history.  And given how divisive fans are about George Lucas' Prequel Trilogy, that's really saying something.  Johnson's script does echo elements of both The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, but then he seems to delight in using our nostalgia to play against expectations.  He takes a few characters in some unexpected directions, and answers some of the open questions that the last film left hanging.  The thing is, Johnson knows what he is doing to many fans with this stuff.  I think there's a reason why so much of the dialogue is built around the idea of letting go of the past, and creating their own future.  Not only are the characters being forced to do so, but some audience members may be forced to when the film is over.

This is often a bleak film.  Characters and allies are lost, ideals are shaken, and there is a major theme throughout of a loss of confidence and hope.  If The Force Awakens was about renewed hope and playing to tradition, then The Last Jedi is all about turning all that hope and tradition into dust.  And yet, there is still plenty of time for the thrilling adventure and battles that we have come to expect.  There are some truly breathtaking sequences of action and special effects that I will not spoil here.  But the really thrilling element for me is how blunt and direct this new entry is with fans.  It's like the movie is forcing them to accept some new ideals.  I'm certain there's bound to be a ton of resistance from the hardcore crowd.  The way that it answers some of the questions fans have had since the last movie is so blunt and direct, it's almost admirable.  Sometimes, the answers are not grand and built of legends.  Sometimes they're direct and sad.

The scope of the story in The Last Jedi is very far reaching, and can seem quite convoluted at times as it piles on multiple plots that are spread across different corners of the galaxy.  In its two and a half hour run time, we're introduced to many new faces, such as the steely and unemotional Resistance Leader Vice Admiral Amilyn Holdo (Laura Dern), and the sweet and optimistic Rose Tico (Kelly Marie Tran), who starts out the film as a simple techie on the Resistance, but eventually grows into her own heroic character before the film is over.  The returning characters from the last movie each have their own separate storylines.  Some may be disappointed that the main stars from The Force Awakens don't spend as much time together as you might expect, but all the plots do eventually connect into one larger narrative as the Resistance fighters continue their battle against the First Order.

Despite all that I have said, Johnson is not exactly trying to recreate Star Wars in his own image.  Again, there are plenty of throwbacks here, and the movie does entirely feel like it belongs in the film universe.  He simply is digging deeper into these characters and exploring them a lot more than some fans might be ready for.  With returning pilot Poe Dameron (Oscar Issac), the movie explores the idea of reckless heroic actions, and the personal sacrifices that can come from it.  With its young heroine Rey (Daisy Ridley), she is forced to confront not just her attachment to the mystery behind her parents, but also her passion for holding onto myths from long ago.  Even the dark and brooding villain Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) is struggling with the choices he has made   Early in the film, he is forced to remove the mask he wears when the First Order Supreme Leader Snoke (Andy Serkis) tells him to take that "ridiculous thing" off.  Kylo spends the rest of the film with his face bared, so we can see his uncertainty through the rest of the story.

The film largely becomes a struggle for these characters to not only accept new destinies, but to also chart those new destinies with as few tragedies as possible.  General Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher, in her final role) seems constantly conflicted between actions that she knows is best for the Resistance, and the casualties and personal tragedies some of those actions create.  And Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) is back, though he is not quite the way most fans remember him.  That being said, this is some of Hamill's best on screen acting ever.  Though he is primarily known as a voice actor these days, Hamill shows a great amount of range and emotion in playing this particularly hardened and world-weary take on his most iconic character.  His portrayal here has already sparked quite a bit of controversy among long time fans, and is sure to be one of the more divisive elements of the film.

As much as The Last Jedi enjoys throwing fans out of their comfort zone, it still remains by and large a success.  You can nitpick that the movie does seem a bit overlong and not as tight as it should have been, and maybe there are a few too many plots than it needed.  But, flaws and all, it still manages to stand head and shoulders above most big budget spectacle films, which has always been a Star Wars trademark.  Longtime fans will nitpick and debate this one to death.  Those of us who simply enjoy the films without a sense of strong fandom will find some exciting action, a few intriguing questions, and an overall sense of wondering just where the last part in this new trilogy is going to go.

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