A Reel Review: STAR WARS - THE LAST JEDI

Myths and legends are the elemental forces of all storytelling; building worlds, characters, and journeys that become so large they communicate with us on an internal level, and ultimately effect who we are. For the past 40 years, STAR WARS has thrived on the building of legends, and in the 8^th episode of the saga, THE LAST JEDI, writer and director Rian Johnson takes it all a step further, and beyond.

After the events of THE FORCE AWAKENS, new Force-user Rey (Daisy Ridley), travels to the remote planet where self-exiled Jedi Master Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) is hiding from the galaxy. Meanwhile, the evil First Order, led by Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), General Hux (Domhnall Gleeson), and Supreme Leader Snoke (Andy Serkis), pursues the remnants of the Resistance across the galaxy; led by General Leia (Carrie Fisher), Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac), and Vice Admiral Holdo (Laura Dern).

THE LAST JEDI is split into two distinct storylines, with Rey trying to pull Luke off his remote island, and the Resistance fleet being relentlessly bombarded by the First Order. The storyline with the Fleet brings up the stakes considerably; these are the last true leaders of the good guys, and as their fates go, so goes the fate of the galaxy. This narrative eventually splinters off into a sub-plot with Finn (John Boyega) and ship-mechanic Rose (Kelly Marie Tran) heading off on a side-quest to enlist the help of a codebreaker (Benicio Del Toro) to help save the fleet. A lot of ground is explored here in the simple line of saving the Fleet, with characters coming to vehement and even violent disagreements over how exactly to survive. Right away, heroics are called into question which is new ground for STAR WARS.

The heart of the story lies with Rey and Luke. Rey is young and eager, and earnestly wants to help her friends and a galaxy in peril. Luke in the meantime is a broken man, wracked with guilt over his past failures. Writer and director Rian Johnson uses this time to completely deconstruct the idea of a legend and to explore the nature of what a hero really is. There is some deep work going on here, with a lot of digging into character and the lore of the Jedi. This is a film that explores what happens after the happy ending, and the self-reflection that the characters take on is a stunning move for a STAR WARS film.

Johnson has a thousand balls in the air all throughout THE LAST JEDI. He boldly explores themes that were established years ago in previous films, tearing them down to nothing and then building them back up again. Items and storylines from THE FORCE AWAKENS are picked up and taken to some brave new places, with a few cleverly saved for Episode IX. There are some major revelations made, a few well-timed twists, and film’s hefty running time is well-spent with each major character getting their due.

Pacing for the most part is brisk and the momentum is ever moving forward. Finn and Rose’s side-quest to a casino initially feels like a distraction from the bigger things going on, but those concerns are later disposed of by the time the finale rolls around and the trip is more-than justified. The film is beautiful to look at, with the on-location filming at Luke’s remote island breathtaking in every frame. There is a heavy amount of CGI work done here, perhaps the most in any STAR WARS film. Most of the effects look great, while a handful of them look rough and fake. The comic-relief bits and gags come in the most unexpected places, and the emotional touches are perfectly timed. The action sequences are a thrill, with a space battle or two done with the perfect amount of tension. John Williams returns to score his 8^th STAR WARS film and resurrects many themes from the past, but THE LAST JEDI doesn’t seem to have a new theme to call its own.

Acting is outstanding. Mark Hamill as Luke is fascinating, and he conveys more emotion in a single glance than most actors can in 60 minutes of work. Daisy Ridley is once again wonderful, as is John Boyega. Benicio Del Toro nearly steals the show as a stuttering oddball, Laura Dern gets some heavy lifting to do as Leia’s second-in-command, and the late great Carrie Fisher gets many moments to shine. Kelly Marie Tran is a blast and a welcome addition to the galaxy. Domnhall Gleeson and Adam Driver are also excellent.

Nearly all of us were introduced to STAR WARS as children, when the galaxy before us was wide open with possibility; fueled by imagination and dreams. By the time the smoke from the final battles clear, Johnson magically brings those old feelings back around for an emotional exclamation point and a nod towards the past and future of STAR WARS. By the end of this episode characters are in new territory, and whatever comes next is anyone’s guess. Rian Johnson has crafted a balance of thrills and character in THE LAST JEDI, and for the first time in a long time, makes myths and legends seen in a new light. That’s what great storytelling does, and most of all...shows that STAR WARS can still surprise us. 

BOTTOM LINE: See it