The latest chapter in the “Star Wars” saga has arrived, and
fan reaction has been divided, to say the least. Written and directed by Rian
Johnson, “The Last Jedi” settles much of the speculation and theories set up by
2015’s “The Force Awakens,” but the answers it provides won’t necessarily
satisfy the diehard fans. They do, however, leave plenty of opportunity to
steer the series into excitingly uncharted territory. How much you value
comfortable familiarity in your tales from a galaxy far, far away will likely
determine how much enjoyment you get from the newest installment.
As the film
opens, the struggling remnants of the Resistance, led by General Organa (the
late Carrie Fisher), are on the run from the evil First Order and the sneering
General Hux (Domhnall
Gleeson). Hotshot pilot Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) and
his faithful droid sidekick BB-8 are on the front lines of the battle, but his
impulse for reckless heroism causes him to clash with both Leia and her
second-in-command, the enigmatic Vice Admiral Holdo
(Laura Dern).
Former stormtrooper Finn (John Boyega) teams up with a spunky
maintenance worker named Rose Tico (appealing newcomer Kelly Marie Tran) to set
off on a dangerous mission to find a code breaker who might be able to turn the
tide of the Resistance’s losing battle.
Finally, in
the most compelling storyline, Rey (Daisy Ridley) has tracked Luke Skywalker
down to the remote planet of Ahch-To in the hopes of
convincing the Jedi master to train her to better wield her natural gift with
the Force. Meanwhile, her mysterious connection to conflicted would-be villain Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) grows ever stronger, even as he
falls further under the sway of the nefarious supreme leader Snoke (played by motion-capture master, Andy Serkis).
Rian Johnson
places little value on the “mysteries” set up in the previous film, and as the
plot veers off in some bold directions, he provides the audience with genuine
surprises while deepening the characters and giving them real arcs that find
them growing and changing in exciting and unexpected ways.
Much in the
way Han Solo provided the foundation on which “Force Awakens” rested its story,
Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) steps into that role for this installment. Hamill
plays an angrier, more bitter version of his iconic character than we’ve seen
before, and Johnson uses him to teach his characters not to be beholden to
their heroes, and explore the ways they deal with their own failures as well as
those of their mentors. “The Last Jedi” continues the series’ themes of hope
and sacrifice, and the characters are challenged in ways that inject a messy
humanity into the film.
Carrie
Fisher had finished filming her role before her death, and though “The Last
Jedi” provides plenty of great moments for her character, it’s clear the next
film was going to put Leia in the foreground, and it’s heartbreaking to know
that will never come to pass.
The film
isn’t without flaws: the middle section following Finn and Rose’s mission has
some pacing issues. I loved seeing the planet of Canto Bight, a high-class den
of scum and villainy built on the dirty money of war profiteers — and there’s
clear thematic intent to what it’s seeking to accomplish — but the entire
sequence could have done with some tightening.
The already
infamous Porgs get more screen time than they
probably need, but damn, if they aren’t adorable. But they also fill a purpose,
as Johnson adds creatures to fill out the film’s universe, reminding us that
there’s a whole universe of beings who exist outside and separate from the
film’s central conflict.
And perhaps
the most important thing Johnson does with “The Last Jedi” is expand the plot
in ways that keep the franchise from solely being the story of the Skywalker
clan. There’s a rather populist message throughout the film — that greatness
can come from anywhere, not just those with legendary lineage.
Working with
cinematographer Steve Yedlin, Johnson also delivers the most gorgeous-looking
Stars Wars movie we’ve ever had. There’s an attention to composition, color,
and shadow that’s somewhat uncharacteristic for the franchise, and which
results in some indelible, jaw-dropping images. From its suspenseful opening
battle to one of the series’ most spectacularly staged lightsaber battles, “The
Last Jedi” features some of the strongest action the franchise has seen.
By
consistently subverting our expectations, Johnson is able to forge a path full
of potential. And sure, one might point out that two-thirds of the way through
this new trilogy is a little late in the game, but maybe that’s more a fault
with “The Force Awakens,” a movie I very much enjoyed, but one that catered
heavily to fans’ nostalgia. “The Last Jedi” feels like something all its own.
It’s already
proved itself to be one of the more divisive entries in the franchise, and
perhaps that’s understandable for a film that implores its viewers to let go of
the past and accept new possibilities. Thankfully, Rian Johnson carries it off
with wit, imagination, and a clear affection for the material. With J.J. Abrams
set to return for Episode IX, I only hope he continues down the path Johnson
left for him.
This article appears in Dec 20-26, 2017.
