TFS Movie Review: Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Disney
**THIS IS SPOILER FREE! YOU ARE SAFE HERE! **
Friends, before I start this review, I feel like I gotta get something off my chest. Brace yourselves, this could be controversial. Shit, I’m just going to say it. So haters, don’t at me bro: I did not like Rogue One.
WAIT! Here me out! It’s not because it’s a bad movie. It’s actually good if you’re into just straight war movies. K-2SO is hilarious. I was just still riding the high of The Force Awakens and I just didn’t feel that same magic.
So now after FOREVER (2 years) of waiting, let me say The Last Jedi was worth the wait. The magic is back! In those 2 hours and 33 minutes, I never felt bored. They take you through all the emotional rollercoasters in one sitting.
So let’s do a quick recap of where we last left off in The Force Awakens:
- Chewbacca, Han, Finn, Poe, etc had successfully destroyed The First Order’s planet/weapon Starkilller Base after it took out the Republic capital;
- Finn was sleeping (fine, coma) after trying to help his lady fight a wounded Kylo Ren (YES, I am shipping Finn and Rey…. #TeamFrey) But Rey being the badass woman that she is, handled herself pretty well with some help from the force;
- With BB-8 and R2-D2’s maps put together, Rey was on her way to find Luke Skywalker to get his help for the Resistance.
And after all that, The Last Jedi picks right up where we left off. With Rey finding Luke and the war between the First Order and the Resistance ramping up.
What did I like about this movie? The Last Jedi finally gave us a more expanded universe of this new world and a story that can stand on its own with the new characters. Yes, they will always have nods to the originals, which I don’t mind one bit, but it felt like its own story. A story I think I would still enjoy even if Luke, Leia, Chewie, etc weren’t in it.
And the battle scenes in this movie are AMAZING. Don’t take your eyes off of it because it’s presented so masterfully when paired up with that famous orchestra music. There are 2 particular scenes of a battle and another with lightsabers that I thought, this is what Star Wars is about.
Other things: I found myself laughing a lot during this one. Porgs? Ugh. LOVE THEM. BB-8? STILL LOVE HIM. That scene with Luke at the end? Genius. Rose? Like her, but she needs to know her place. Read my feelings above. You’ll understand #TeamFrey.
*Potential Spoiler! Skip this paragraph if you must*
The only complaint about this movie? Finally getting resolution of the great Rey debate. Do you know how many conversations/debates/speculations I’ve been holding on to for 2 years Star Wars? I mean, thanks for letting us know, but that was one great big galactic letdown.
Guys, I LOVE this movie. It’s been strange to me reading other people poo pooing on it, but I was already plotting when I could see it again right after it was over.
And Rian Johnson? Let’s be real, I vaguely remember Looper but hats off to you sir for carrying this story forward. And I look forward to seeing what you do with the new Star Wars universe.
TFS Rating: A