Star Wars: The Last Jedi — Hmmm …

*SPOILERS*

24th December, 2017

You know, I’ve not got that much in terms of time off, over the Christmas period.

I try and socialise, where possible.

But also try and spend time with my family.

Especially around Christmas time.

We visited my aunty, last week, for example.

Today … ?

Today, was all about my two sisters, Anna and Ruth, and my nephew, Jude.

And sweeties: jelly babies and revels and Percy Pigs, sneakily sneaked into the cinema.

Why?

Well, we fancied a movie.

A very specific movie.

You’d guessed by the posters, hadn’t you … ?

That’s right: Star Wars: The Last Jedi

~≈§≈~

Star Wars: The Last Jedi follows directly on from Star Wars: The Force Awakens: showing us Rey (Daisy Ridley) passing his old  lightsabre on to an older Luke (Mark Hamill.)

Rey’s after two things.

On a personal level, she wants a mentor: some-one to guide her in her the ways of the Force, as her powers are slowly starting to develop.   Something Luke reluctantly agrees to, as Rey’s sheer power reminds him too much of his last student, Kylo Ren (Adam Driver).

On a less personal one?   Rey’s determined to make sure sur eLuke help’s his sister, Leia (Carrie Fisher).

The rebellion led by General Organa is in serious trouble.

The Last Jedi ACTUALLY opens with Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) leading a desperate bombing raid on a First Order   dreadnaught: one that allows the rebel ship to get away … 

Only for the rebel leaders to despair … once they realise the Hux (Domhnall Gleeson) commanded ship is tracking them.

It’s only when Finn (John Boyega) meets Rose (Kelly Marie Tran) he finds out that tracking can be stopped.

If, as Rose tells him, they can sneak onto the First Order flag ship … and flip a very specific switch …

You can tell things could get nasty, can’t you … ?

~≈§≈~

Now … 

What did I think … ?

I have got to admit … I’m not impressed with The Last Jedi.

However?   I think that is — in part — because it’s two immediate predecessors, The Force Awakens and Rogue One are both superb pieces of film making.

The Last Jedi is … but hasn’t raised the bar, quite enough.

But?

But, it does continue this trilogy’s story in new, and unexpected ways.

Kylo Ren*, for example?   Ditches the mask: no surprise, there, I think, it did seem a little awkward for actor Adam Driver to work in.   However?   It advances his story further.   In The Force Awakens we see him kill his father, Han.

In The Last Jedi … ?   He shows us his treacherous nature goes further: in killing Snokes† (Andy Serkis) and seizing power over the First Order for himself.

In a similar, The Last Jedi ALSO tells us more of Rey’s story.   It tantalises us: with hints that her mysterious and long lost parents are very significant, and that she subconsciously knows who they are.

It ALSO, in a sequence in an underground cave, shows us this is Rey’s big weak spot.

Ren attempts to recruit Rey to the First Order: an invitation she declines.

But if Ren figures out how to use the knowledge he claims to have?

Rey‡ will be very vulnerable to the dark side.

~≈§≈~

Now … 

Not impressed … ?

Yes, not impressed.

I felt John Boyega, as Finn, could have been made more of: Finn used used well, but wasn’t, I felt, as central as he was in The Force Awakens.

Laura Dern, as the tough minded Vice Admiral Holdo?   And Benicio Del Toro as the callous and villainous DJ?   Were a very well written and acted Star Trek-style red shirt.   Used once, then thrown away.

I have come away from a cinema, today, in the firm knowledge that Star Wars: The Last Jedi is not as impressive as it’s two immediate forebears.


However?

The thing jas beautifully written dialogue, great actors, effects that were seamless, battles that were exciting, moments having you laugh and cry … 

Literally, I was laughing when Carrie Fisher said of her “May the Force/I won’t be saying that again,” dialogue with Laura Dern … and (hopefully unnoticed) shedding a tear.


For all its flaws?

Star Wars: The Last Jedi is still a very good — and very enjoyable — film, in and of itself.

Have fun watching it.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi
★★★☆

*        In an interesting set of scenes, Luke and Ren tell Rey they sides of the story of where Ren’s Jedi training by Luke, went wrong.   Basically?   Luke almost kills Ren: when he thinks Ren has gone to the Dark side of the Force.   During this?   Luke tells us that was training not only Ren — or Ben Solo as he then was — but about a dozen or so others.   My personal thought?   Is that these un-named unknown students make up the mentioned, but never seen, Knights of Ren.

†        Personally?   I feel that killing Snokes was an iffy decision.   It’s Andy Serkis giving another great performance: one that’s one a par, I felt, with his Ian Dury, and reminding us exactly why the man’s considered a fantastically good actor.   It’s a performance, and a character I felt could have been used again.

‡        For a lot of the film?   Ren and Rey spend their time communicating telepathically: with the mysterious powers of the Force.   In ways similar to Luke and Leia’s ability to know where the other is.   I personally feel that Kylo Ren and Rey are brother and sister, based on this: but could well be proved wrong.