Harry Situation Reviews: Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...

STAR WARS

EPISODE VIII

THE LAST JEDI

The time has come!

The most anticipated film of the year has finally

arrived. Fans everyone have waited so long for

the next installment in the newly successful

Sequel Trilogy.

How does it hold out in comparison to all

the Star Wars films? Does it soar like the

Millinium Falcon, or explode like Alderaan?

Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi, this is the most anticipated film of the year. I too have been waiting so long for this film.

This film continues right off from The Force Awakens with Rey (played by Daisey Ridley) finding Luke Skywalker (played by the Joker) and learning the ways of the Force through him. And we also have Finn, Poe Dameron, R2-D2, Chewbacca, Snoke, Leia, and a bunch of other characters on an epic adventure. That’s all I’ll say about the movie. If you want the whole plot, you just have to see it for yourself. This time around it’s written and directed by Rian Johnson, whom directed excellent movies such as Brick and Looper.

To better prepare myself for this movie I avoided everything about it. Whenever there was an article talking about the plot or certain characters or interviews with the actors, I avoided all of that. I want to go in and be surprised like everyone else. And I was pleasantly surprised by how amazing this movie was.

First positive is that all the actors did an amazing job. Daisey Ridley continues to shine in this new trilogy. John Boyega is great again too. We get to see more of Oscar Isaac as Poe Dameron, which was great too. And Adam Driver was great as the compelling and complex villain Kylo Ren. But the two cast members that deserve the most praise is Carrie Fisher (RIP) and Mark Hamill. Both were emotionally powerful and helped carry this film. Although I was kinda hoping for a Joker laugh to come out of Mark Hamill.

The visual effects were once again spectacular to look at. The blend of both CGI and practical effects were perfect. John Williams’ score was powerful again. I really enjoyed this score. The film also had some good humor too. There was one particular moment with Mark and Daisey that got a really good laugh out of me.

The action stepped up its game in this film. There wasn’t a single moment where I wasn’t at the edge of my seat, or that my jaw dropped. And if you recalled in my review of The Force Awakens that I wished that the lightsaber duels could have been better. Well in this film it’s waaaaaayy better. The lightsaber combat was amazing. A combination between the Original and Prequel combat styles.

But what I thought was most important was the direction this new film took. Without going into spoilers what they did was take all that was from the previous films and stepped away from them all. This was part of a new chapter in the Star Wars Saga. To those who were worried that this was going to be a copy of The Empire Strikes Back much like the The Force Awakens you can worry no longer. This was something far from Empire. This was its own story and film. In the first time in Star Wars I felt that I was watching something completely new. Something that challenged everything I thought I knew about the Star Wars Universe.

Not only that there were quite a few moments that completely shocked me. I love a good surprise, and this film definitely had plenty.

If there was one nitpick was where Finn and this new character Rose Tico (played by Kelly Marie Tran) go to some other planet and do a side mission. It really makes you wonder why this was part of the movie. It just felt so out of place in the whole movie. If that would have been cut out then the film would have been perfect.

Overall this is the Star Wars film you’ve been looking for. Ignore the audience score on Rotten Tomatoes (I mean seriously people? 57%?). Ignore any and all haters alike. This was an amazing movie. But at the same time I can understand if people leave the theater questioning what went on throughout the movie. If that’s how you feel I would highly recommend giving it a second viewing to possibly understand it more. Heck, I recommend giving it a second viewing regardless because it was so good. I am so happy I bought my tickets early and got a good seat. This film is up there with the Original Trilogy, and it stands on its own as an epic tale, paving way to the horizon across the stars.

Light Side:

-Cast & characters

-Good humor

-Visual effects

-Williams’ score

-Action & duels

-Ways of the Force

-Steps away from previous films

-Great shocking moments

Dark Side:

-Rose/Finn story

Final Grade: A+

The force was definitely strong in this one.

So have you seen The Last Jedi yet? If so, please don’t spoil it for everyone in the comments. Please be kind, leave a like and comment, and I’ll catch you in a galaxy far, far away.

Best Quote:

Luke Skywalker: “It’s time for the Jedi to end.”

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