'Star Wars: The Last Jedi' A Review

Star Wars: The Last Jedi is a space opera the 8th installment in the Star Wars series the second in the most recent trilogy. The film takes place directly after the events of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. It opens on a dogfight as the Resistance evacuates their base under fire from the First Order. As the Resistance under General Leia(Carrie Fisher) attempts to escape the First Order ships across the galaxy Rey(Daisy Ridley) begins her somewhat rocky training with the reluctant Luke(Mark Hamill).

More an ensemble piece than its predecessor the defacto lead Ridley does well, displaying more poise and conveying more dimension than before. She has great chemistry with Adam Driver(returning as Kylo Ren) and the two are able to investigate the emotional duality the series is famous for. Fisher's role grows in this installment and she meets and exceeds the challenge, as does Oscar Issac's Poe Dameron. The pair also have excellent chemistry and given time to develop it. The one character who recedes slightly in this installment is Finn, somewhat a disservice to the capable and compelling John Boyega but the character is seemingly set up for more in the trilogy conclusion. Hamill is a real stand out, bringing gravitas, regret, and pain to this incarnation of the legendary Skywalker, it's surprising, funny, and not necessarily what you want but feels true to the character and to the story.

The John Williams score is effective, more in keeping with the series rather than innovative but the editing takes the classic Star Wars wipe and tweaks it to great effect. There is not only split scenes between Rey and Kylo but almost every scene change is mapped over by some kind of mirrored visual or line of dialogue. The result is a gleeful, contagious momentum that propels the adventure ever forward. The third act is somewhat protracted but overall this installment delivers on the emotion and action for which the series is known, delivers twists and unexpected thrills, with service paid to fans and the previous entries but not hamstrung by them. The Force Awakens necessarily had to reset the franchise, this installment allows it to evolve.

See It.