Our Brief and Spoiler-Free Review of the The Last Jedi
Star Wars: The Last Jedi is an absolute triumph that needs to be seen again, and again…
Whoa! Seriously, Whoa!
After watching The Last Jedi for the first time my initial thoughts are this was a very different Star Wars Movie. What Rian Johnson delivered has a few callbacks to previous Star Wars films, but is so original that it catches you by Surprise. And if The Force Awakens left you at all disappointed in the screen time of Luke and Leia, The Last Jedi feels like a love letter to both Characters.
Oscar Isaac’s Poe Dameron received more screen time this time around, and his riffing with Carrie Fisher’s General Leia is fun to watch. Every moment Carrie Fisher is on the screen you get a case of nostalgic feels, knowing it’s the last time we’ll see her. It definitely brings a tear to your eyes. Older, and wiser Leia is the seasoned General that the resistance needs to ensure it’s survival.
Photo Credit: Lucasfilm
Driver and Hamill steal the show
Most of the shocking twist, and yes it did say shocking revolve around Luke Skywalker and his former apprentice Ben Solo, aka Kylo Ren. Once again Adam Driver is spot on as the conflicted fallen Jedi. He provides the film with most of its emotional depth. Kylo Ren is tortured in the decisions he makes, but uses that anguish to fuel his Anger. It’s going to be exciting to see where they take this Character in the next film.
Mark Hamill was really allowed to shine in The Last Jedi. Luke is equal parts the Jedi we last saw in Return of the Jedi and equal parts Hamill’s own quirky personality. He fully embraced the older, goofy Jedi model we’ve seen previously with Yoda in The Empire Strikes Back. He’s a joy to watch on the screen. I was left wondering why he ever got
typecast after playing Luke in the Original Trilogy.
It needs to be seen more than once!
The more I think no about the Last Jedi, the more I realize I need to see it again. There’s so much happening in the film that it’s truly difficult to appreciate all the performances with Just one viewing. Going back to watch it again to take in those “whoa” moments one more time.