Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017) - Written Review

***SPOILER-FREE***
I'm sure at some point soon I'll get around to writing up a full, spoiler-filled piece about Star Wars: The Last Jedi, but I think I need to throw out an opinion out there. The film has a 56% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, which while I'm sure it will increase, I will say that I think that's complete bull. The Last Jedi is a masterclass blend of auteur and blockbuster franchise film-making, being both the latest entry in the never-ending Star Wars saga and also Rian Johnson's latest film. This is not the same Star Wars that JJ Abrams brought us with The Force Awakens, or any of the previous films. Rian Johnson has certainly put a stamp on this film, which might not work for everyone, but certainly did for me.

The film attempts to balance a tone somewhere between almost grim foreboding and light humour, and while some may note this as inconsistent, I think this balance of light and dark (like the Force) allows for a film that's an enjoyable, but also incredibly dramatic affair. The film is very funny at points, and sometimes almost worryingly funny for the story at play, but it never sacrifices the characters and story to force-in a joke. Rian Johnson takes the characters seriously, he just doesn't take the film itself seriously, and allows for wonderfully playful moments. That being said, the film has teeth. When the big dramatic moment happens in the third act - and believe me, you'll know when you see it - I was in awe at the screen. This was a moment I'd been waiting to see since I was five years old.

There are some striking similarities with The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, it should be noted; the latter occurs in such a way so that Rian Johnson can pull the rug out, and does so in spectacular fashion. This new Star Wars trilogy hasn't entirely shaped its own identity, but these films feel like a progression, steps towards a new story. These are the sequels to the original trilogy, and very much continue the narrative and themes of those original three films. This may not work for some, but this is the continuation of the Star Wars story, and doesn't feel like a spin-off. The Last Jedi isn't unoriginal, but its very much rooted in the legacy of its predecessors in the series, and certainly for the better.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi is a terrific standalone film though, managing to juggle leftover plot-threads from The Force Awakens in its own story that develops its characters and provides an open-ending so as to not feel inconsequential. At its core, the narrative is very much a threefold: Finn and Rose, Poe, Leia and the Resistance, and Rey, Luke and Kylo. These are three interweaving narratives that take their time to unfold, but do so in a satisfying way. The 152 minute running time may seem daunting, but these stories are told beautifully, and very little feels underdeveloped. There are open questions, and answers that some may find to be dissatisfying, but it remains to be seen where this trilogy will end. For me personally, Star Wars: The Last Jedi is a satisfying sequel and a satisfying film in itself.

Overall, Star Wars: The Last Jedi was an overwhelming experience. I need time to not only mull over the film, but also to watch it again. My first experience with the film was an emotional roller-coaster, and an exhilarating one at that. But, the cast are fantastic, the score is lovely and the production values are strong...even if Snoke looks crap. Rian Johnson has created an amazing experience, and one I look forward to revisiting soon.

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