by Edward Baillargeon
Another year goes by which means around this time, we get another Star Wars movie. Ever since Disney acquired them in 2012, Lucasfilm has been putting out one Star Wars movie a year since 2015 alternating between an episode in the main saga and an anthology/spin-off film. Now the saga continues in the next chapter in the Skywalker saga with Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi.
Set after the events of Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens, Rey develops her newly discovered abilities with the guidance of Luke Skywalker, who is unsettled by the strength of her powers. Meanwhile, the Resistance prepares to do battle with the First Order.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi is another fantastic entry in the beloved sci-fi saga and could even be one of the best in the franchise. The story is really well written and is never boring with some really surprising twists thrown in making the movie’s two and a half hour run time worth it. You would think that the story would go in one direction and goes in a direction different than you expected is something I really have to give writer and director Rian Johnson major props for. Because of those twists, I don’t know why the so called “fans” that over-analyzed every frame in the trailers, are hating this movie even though they wanted twists after they said The Force Awakens ripped off A New Hope, showing that the Star Wars fans are the fanbase that has no idea what they want. But back on to the review, the action scenes are really fantastic with some witty humor thrown in. Also the Porgs are possibly the cutest thing to ever come out of the Star Wars universe and are absolutely NOT the next Jar Jar. The actors for the most part do a fantastic job with their performances. Mark Hamill especially does his best performance as Luke Skywalker portraying him as a rugged old man that is done being a Jedi legend. Daisy Ridley and John Boyega continue to be great as Rey and Finn, and the late Carrie Fisher also knocks it out of the park in her final performance as General Leia, as she also has a dedication to her in the end credits. But the one character that has pinched a nerve with me since The Force Awakens was the main antagonist of the movie, Kylo Ren. I have always found him both as a mopey jerk with mommy and daddy issues and a Darth Vader wannabe. His character, regardless of Adam Driver’s okay performance, is completely unlikable as he is such a hateable douche that doesn’t care about anyone throughout the entire movie. And it’s not just the Porg that gets some of the movie’s funniest moments as BB-8 also gets some really good bits with him countering with Poe Dameron.
But other than those nitpicks, I still had a blast with Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Despite a still irredeemable villain, it totally makes up for it with great performances, a well written story with some good twists and emotional impact, and some of the best action scenes in the franchise. This would personally be my 5th favorite Star Wars movie below The Empire Strikes Back, The Force Awakens, Return of the Jedi, and A New Hope. If you are a fan of Star Wars, definitely go check it out on the largest screen possible, but be realistic with your expectations. I’m going to give Star Wars: The Last Jedi a 9/10 with the Edward’s Seal of Approval.
