Writer/Director: Rian Johnson
Starring: Daisy Ridley, Mark Hamill and Adam Driver
‘A Spectacular Sequel’
Before I begin this review, I must confess that I’m not a fan of Star Wars. Although this may be hard to believe, I didn’t grow up with George Lucas’ original trilogy. Neither did I get a chance to watch the prequels. It wasn’t until 2015’s “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” that I was introduced to the beloved franchise. The film proved to be a soaring success. Not only did it please fans of the franchise, but it introduced the Star Wars universe to a new generation of movie-goers.
It is not easy to follow up a film that successful, but “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” is one of those sequels that succeeds. Exciting, emotional and action-packed, Rian Johnson’s latest film is a worthy addition to the franchise. With a talented team of artists, director Rian Johnson has crafted an impressive film that encompasses everything people love about Star Wars. Whether it is the breathtaking action sequences, stellar performances or moments of genuine awe, “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” delivers everything that fans could have hoped for. Although I’m not a fan of Star Wars, I thoroughly enjoyed this latest installment and look forward to seeing where the franchise goes next.
Following the events of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”, “The Last Jedi” picks up where we last left the characters. Rey (Daisy Ridley) trains to become a jedi with the guidance of Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), who lives a solitary existence on an isolated island. Meanwhile, the Resistance is in a fierce battle with the evil First Order. It is a battle that will determine the fate of the galaxy.
Making a Star Wars movie in this day and age is a huge responsibility. In fact, to call it a responsibility may be an understatement. Fans anxiously await these movies and expect greatness every time. This puts tremendous pressure on the filmmaker to fulfill these expectations. Thankfully, writer/director Rian Johnson is more than up to the challenge. Although this is his first time directing a big-budget blockbuster, Johnson does a remarkable job behind the camera. Striking a fine balance between action, humor and storytelling, Johnson’s style of directing is extremely effective. It manages to give fans exactly what they want from a Star Wars movie.
In terms of action, “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” features the most breathtaking space battles you will see in a movie this year. Visually popping, beautifully filmed and bursting with excitement, the action sequences demand to be seen on the big-screen. Of course, epic action sequences is something we’ve always come to expect from Star Wars. However, never have they been this visually gorgeous or immersive. Whether it is the lightsaber duels or operatic space battles, the action sequences have a fun sense of adventure. It certainly helps that you care about the characters, which makes the action all the more engaging to watch.
These characters are skillfully brought to life by a talented cast of actors. “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” brings back the actors of the original series while also adding fresh talent to the cast. Whether it is old-timers or newcomers, every actor in the cast gets the opportunity to shine and leave a lasting impression.
Daisy Ridley delivers her finest performance to date as Rey. Ever since her breakthrough role in “The Force Awakens” two years ago, Ridley has grown and matured as an actress. Although fans were initially skeptical when she was first cast in this role, Ridley proves that she was born to play Rey. With emotional expressions, Ridley conveys the internal struggles of the character and makes you feel empathy for her. It makes for a strong female character, the like of which we rarely see headlining blockbusters today.
When it comes to actors returning to the series, it’s a joy to see Mark Hamill back in the role of Luke Skywalker. It is not easy to reprise an iconic role after nearly 30 years, but Hamill pulls it off with surprising ease. With intense expressions and a commanding presence, he portrays a character who has taken a cynical view of the world. Despite his age, Hamill proves he still has the ability to light up the screen with his presence.
The last, most unforgettable standout in the cast is Adam Driver. As Kylo Ren, Driver delivers one of the most compelling villains of the series. What makes Kylo Ren such a great villain is that he is menacing but at the same time sympathetic. Driver proves to be the perfect actor for the role.
Despite the terrific performances from the cast, “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” is not a film without flaws. Although the movie is thoroughly entertaining, it suffers from an overlong running time. At two and a half hours, it is unreasonably long and drags in the middle section. There are a few subplots that feel unnecessary, such as an extended trip to a casino midway through the film. This is where the film starts to drag and tests the viewer’s patience. If the filmmakers had paid more attention to the editing, it would have elevated the movie to another level.
Nevertheless, “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” is a wonderful return to the galaxy we’ve grown to love. A smart, exciting and thrilling sequel, it will definitely please fans of the series. Even though I’m not a fan of Star Wars, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this film.
It’s an out-of-the-world movie-going experience that I will not forget about anytime soon.
3.5/5 stars
The Film Buff 
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