The Star Wars films are a unique and unusual anomaly in an otherwise saturated lineup of blockbusters in its entire long running history. Other than the fact that it is a huge global phenomenon and the sci-fi classic that most filmmakers wouldn't have possibly conceptualized, it also has a drawbacks because of this status. It's almost as if each movie now have to live to the lightning that the original trilogy caught in a bottle. That there would be certain rules, expectations and certain events that must take place in order for it to be accepted. However, here comes Episode VIII, a film that unequivocally subverts and challenges the very foundations of an already 40 year old saga. It's one of the first Star Wars films, since Empire, that makes us question more about the fundamental themes that drive this saga, while crafting a film that is bold, elegant, emotional and completely thrilling.
Let's first tackle the themes and concepts in this film. The theme of letting go of the past is a very prominent one here, and its very apt considering the transition of a new trilogy. We are presented with a flawed, troubled and complex Luke Skywalker, a character that not only rejects the past, but also subverts our expectations of the values we know about him. He's not a jedi that is a master at his craft, he is a legend, a myth and yet he doesn't believe in those things. Here comes Rey, someone who challenges the very notion of what the original trilogy is known to follow. Her character represents the new colliding with an old, draconian and tired way. The other theme relates to the very myths and legends the that the franchise holds. Other than the legend of Luke Skywalker, we are introduced to the myth that there is only a good and bad side, when in reality there is a grey area that lurks beneath. The myth that the jedi have properly restored balance and peace. The myth that it is our identity and past that defines us.
With these in mind, The Last Jedi presents these themes in a fully realized fashion, wherein each character has an arc that not only serves them but the entire narrative as a whole. The scenes with Luke/Rey and Kylo are the standout, they no longer represent two opposing forces in the light and the dark, instead they represent distinct ideologies, each trying to pull each other to their ideology by choice, not by some higher order. Each motivation that they have are deeply rooted in personal conflicts within each character. Poe also conveys a strong-willed, cocky and interesting character, one that is confident in everything that he does and it has both its positive sides and down sides. Finn's development from the last film also carries on, as his distrust for the First Order further motivates each decision he makes in the film. Rose is also a worthy addition to the Star Wars roster, one whose character is easy to understand but seemed to have been overshadowed by the larger narrative in play. This film is also just drop dead the most beautiful looking Star Wars film of all time. The Rogue One went places with scale and subtle details, but this film brings a new touch to the universe, it explored places and creatures we've never seen before, yet it doesn't take away from the narrative. Never has Star Wars felt like a film with endless possibilities more than this one, and not just in the sets designs. There is something truly profound about the possibilities that the franchise has opened up to. From the twist in Empire about the family lineage of the Skywalkers, Star Wars became just that, a family space-opera. Yet with the new trilogy, it aims to dissect that very notion and without going too much into spoilers, instead presents something new and innovative that is both a bold and striking message for audiences.
If there's any problem I would have with this movie, it is with the choices they made with the story as a whole that seemed to be in relation to appealing to the fans. Now this movie is definitely not the most fan-friendly one, but there are definitely attempts to be. It was like they were obligated to add this side story or have this character be invincible for the sake of being true to Star Wars. While these decisions did not bug me as much, they objectively break some pacing of the film. However, to make up for these is a climax that connected and finally saved those problems from further reaching oblivion.
In the end, this is a film that will be remembered as the one that brought this new trilogy into a new direction, the same way that Empire brought the entire franchise into a long stretching family saga. Besides, even Empire Strikes Back had some people scratching their heads when it first opened, it just felt so different from Star Wars. Look where it stands right now, a legend.
Verdict: 9.5/10
Let's first tackle the themes and concepts in this film. The theme of letting go of the past is a very prominent one here, and its very apt considering the transition of a new trilogy. We are presented with a flawed, troubled and complex Luke Skywalker, a character that not only rejects the past, but also subverts our expectations of the values we know about him. He's not a jedi that is a master at his craft, he is a legend, a myth and yet he doesn't believe in those things. Here comes Rey, someone who challenges the very notion of what the original trilogy is known to follow. Her character represents the new colliding with an old, draconian and tired way. The other theme relates to the very myths and legends the that the franchise holds. Other than the legend of Luke Skywalker, we are introduced to the myth that there is only a good and bad side, when in reality there is a grey area that lurks beneath. The myth that the jedi have properly restored balance and peace. The myth that it is our identity and past that defines us.
With these in mind, The Last Jedi presents these themes in a fully realized fashion, wherein each character has an arc that not only serves them but the entire narrative as a whole. The scenes with Luke/Rey and Kylo are the standout, they no longer represent two opposing forces in the light and the dark, instead they represent distinct ideologies, each trying to pull each other to their ideology by choice, not by some higher order. Each motivation that they have are deeply rooted in personal conflicts within each character. Poe also conveys a strong-willed, cocky and interesting character, one that is confident in everything that he does and it has both its positive sides and down sides. Finn's development from the last film also carries on, as his distrust for the First Order further motivates each decision he makes in the film. Rose is also a worthy addition to the Star Wars roster, one whose character is easy to understand but seemed to have been overshadowed by the larger narrative in play. This film is also just drop dead the most beautiful looking Star Wars film of all time. The Rogue One went places with scale and subtle details, but this film brings a new touch to the universe, it explored places and creatures we've never seen before, yet it doesn't take away from the narrative. Never has Star Wars felt like a film with endless possibilities more than this one, and not just in the sets designs. There is something truly profound about the possibilities that the franchise has opened up to. From the twist in Empire about the family lineage of the Skywalkers, Star Wars became just that, a family space-opera. Yet with the new trilogy, it aims to dissect that very notion and without going too much into spoilers, instead presents something new and innovative that is both a bold and striking message for audiences.
If there's any problem I would have with this movie, it is with the choices they made with the story as a whole that seemed to be in relation to appealing to the fans. Now this movie is definitely not the most fan-friendly one, but there are definitely attempts to be. It was like they were obligated to add this side story or have this character be invincible for the sake of being true to Star Wars. While these decisions did not bug me as much, they objectively break some pacing of the film. However, to make up for these is a climax that connected and finally saved those problems from further reaching oblivion.
In the end, this is a film that will be remembered as the one that brought this new trilogy into a new direction, the same way that Empire brought the entire franchise into a long stretching family saga. Besides, even Empire Strikes Back had some people scratching their heads when it first opened, it just felt so different from Star Wars. Look where it stands right now, a legend.
Verdict: 9.5/10