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The Last Jedi Review (Spoilers)

  • Writer: lagraffeo
    lagraffeo
  • Dec 21, 2017
  • 5 min read

*Spoilers Below!!*

Good

I didn't mean to come out of the movie totally shipping Rey and Ben Solo\Kylo Ren, especially since I was convinced she was a Skywalker therefore making them cousins, BUT those force scenes did something to me! That hand touching scene? Sexiest thing to ever be in a Star Wars movie. Adam Driver and Daisy Ridley are incredible actors and those scenes had so much chemistry. Their fight scene changed my opinion on the whole movie. I thought it was incredible and so well choreographed. They feel almost like a reverse Anakin and Padme (I can link some theory videos below). Even if not romantically, I think there relationship is central to how this story ends in the next movie.

I love Rose and the actress that portrays her, Kelly Marie Tran. She is a great addition. I'm excited to see her and Rey interact. A lot of Star Wars movies it's one girl, bunch of guys. It'll be great to have more female friendships. Also, shout out to General Holdo! Badass moment and when the the whole movie went silent during her going light speed into the Force Order's ship.

Leia's scenes in The Last Jedi meant more to me than they would have if she had not passed, and I felt like this movie was a good sendoff. I loved that Luke's last words to her was that "no one is ever really gone". I'm also glad that we finally got to see Leia using a bit of her "force" abilities. Its all I ever wanted. I have no idea how they will go on in episode 9 without her. I remember reading Kathleen Kennedy saying that the first was for Han, second for Luke, and third was going to be for her. I suspect Poe Dameron will be taking on a bigger leadership role, which is great considering how he is still is underused.

So many new force powers! Projection force! Force bond! The movie adds new and exciting concepts to the Star Wars universe.

Yoda! I was so giddy when I saw his ears pop up on the side of the screen. Here's hoping that Anakin or Obi-Wan show up next movie! I know some fans are mad it wasn't them, but c'mon its Yoda. He taught Luke most of what he knows, it makes sense that he shows up.

Mixed

Not sure how I feel about Snoke being killed, after years of buildup and mystery surrounding the character. But, Im curious what direction episode 9 goes in now. Was there something bigger at play all along?

Humor sometimes felt out of place. The dialogue between Hux and Poe at the start of the movie felt like it belonged in the Family Guy version of the movie. Star Wars has humor but its usually more subtle or quick wittiness. I think I would have enjoyed that scene more if it wasn't the first thing we got, it felt to weird to start out with almost like starting with a not serious tone paints the whole movie in a unserious light (IMO).

I am torn on Luke Skywalker's death. However despite my feelings, his passing with the two suns was stunning and peaceful. I'm glad about that. What brings me comfort is knowing (at least 90% sure), Luke will be around in episode 9 as a force ghost to guide Rey and the others.

Rose speech before she becomes unconscious? Great. Her and Finn's kiss? Kinda awkward and out of the blue.

I like the idea of Benicio Del Toro's DJ and was upset we didn't get more from him. I'm still a bit confused about his character and if he's just a representation of someone playing the good and bad side to their advantage.

I expected more training scenes between Luke and Rey and I'm kinda salty that we didn't get more Yoda\Luke style training.

Bad

20 minutes into the movie I was left wondering- is this it? I was confused and slightly disappointed. It wasn't until almost 45 minutes in, I think, did I really start to enjoy and get intrigued by the film.

That titty milk scene...really?

Luke tossing the lightsaber behind him after Rey handed it to him? A bit goofy IMO. Him handing it back to her would have made more sense and have been less laughable. He does act a bit un Lukeish at the start of the film.

I think Rian Johnson did a great job with Rey\Luke\Kylo, but let down the other characters like Poe and Finn. I didn't care about their scenes as much and the whole Canto Bright escapade felt out of place with the movie as a whole.

Although I liked Rose as a character, her and Finn's story was lackluster. It felt drawn out and most of what they were doing felt like filler scenes used to get characters to find their spots for when Holdo light speeds into the ship.

I think that if the Resistance\Finn & Rose story lines matched up to the level of greatness that Luke\Rey\Kylo scenes were, it would have made the film go the extra mile.

I WANT MORE CHEWBACCA!!

Also, Luke Skywalker did not really act like Luke Skywalker.

Concluding Thoughts

I will admit, I did expect more, but I am not mad with what I got. I did leave the film pumped up and happy. I think Rey, Luke, and Kylo stood out the most in this film. Acting wise and character wise. I wish Leia had gotten more screen time and that Poe\Finn\Rose story lines would have been more intriguing. It's a movie about failure which I think is different than other Star Wars films. Everyone either failed someone else or failed their mission, yet at the end there is still hope. Which, in a way mirrors how I feel about this trilogy going forward. The Last Jedi is one of those films where some people will either hate it or love it, so in a way it may have "failed" us. But, what they did give us gives me a lot of hope for episode 9.

I would watch 2.5 hours of Luke reading the newspaper and I would come away saying "that was poetic cinema". So, I don't think I am a tough one to disappoint, but if I had to rate I would give The Last Jedi 8\10. For the most part I loved it, but I still cant get over the first part where I was left a bit disappointed and how they wasted some character potential. However, whenever I get down on the movie I remember how I get goosebumps and butterflies whenever I see "A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away..." pop up on screen and I am so thrilled that they are making these movies. I always find myself wandering into the Disney store wishing I was a kid again so I could play with my Star Wars action figures and dress up as characters. I know for a fact I'll watch this movie over and over again. Star Wars is about family and love. But most importantly, for us, its about having fun and that's what I did.

P.S. Here are some links to some great Star Wars related content:

I havent posted in so long...the end of the semester really hit me hard and I didn't have time to make anything. I will make up for it over my winter break! Till next time, may the force be with you.

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