Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi

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Has there ever been a movie you wanted to like so much, you made yourself find a way around the silly things that made it bad? This is probably the primary example of such a thing, for myself. There's quite a bit here that I now take as unnecessary, and/or could be shown a different way. However, for the most part, I still like it. There's still a lot I can wrap my head around that others can't, but there's also a lot that I take for the crap it is. This is my "love/hate" 'Star Wars' movie.

The story picks up where the last one left off. With the help of R2-D2, the Resistance locates Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), who currently resides in exile on a hidden island planet of Ahch-To, home to the last Jedi Temple. Rey (Daisy Ridley) closes off the previous film by finding Luke, and handing him his old lightsaber, which has been found since it fell in 'Empire'. Fans would eventually theorize two things. Either Luke was coming back and fight with the Resistance, or more probable, Luke was gonna train Rey in the ways of the Jedi. It ended up leaning more towards the latter, but Luke was made to be a crotchety old hermit after failing his Padawan, Ben Solo (Kylo Ren [Adam Driver]). It just didn't make much sense for Luke's character as we all knew him. He's essentially a coward here, when he really should be some bled of Obi-Wan and Yoda.

Meanwhile, the First Order locates a hidden Resistance base, and an assault is launched to try to snuff them out. The attempt by General Hux (Domhnall Gleeson, who is a bit of a rival to Kylo Ren for Supreme Leader Snoke's favor) is thwarted, however, by Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) in a risky maneuver. The Resistance, now on its last legs, nearly escapes, but are tracked through light speed by Hux. They must now rely on Finn (John Boyega) and newcomer, Rose (Kelly Marie Tran) to infiltrate Snoke's (Andy Serkis) ship, and with the help of a master code breaker named DJ (Benicio Del Toro), destroy their tracker so they can escape with what little they have left.

Now, the Resistance is but a handful of people, and the First Order is very slowly picking the remainders off. Like, very slowly. If Rey can get Luke back into the fight, he might just be able to save them, but she starts struggling with her own journey, and feeling the pull towards the dark side. On the other hand, Kylo Ren may just be feeling the pull towards the light. It's here that the film starts trying out some new things with the Force, as Rey and Ren end up able to communicate via some psychic link. Neither knows how it's happening, but it is eventually revealed. I've always given the film kudos for trying new things with the Force... but then there's the "Super Leia" scene. I won't go into detail, but anyone reading this who has seen it knows how ridiculous it looked.

With that, allow me to divulge some heavily realized criticisms with the movie​. I've mentioned Luke, but how about that "thala-siren" milking scene? (you know what the hell those things are now). It could be taken out of the film completely, or since the scene is about showing him finding sustenance, there's a few more ways it could be done. It doesn't need to be odd and nasty. Hell, the fishing scene is actually pretty badass. Show me more Jedi hunting skills! I've also mentioned Leia's big scene, but for most of the movie she's unconscious after that scene. I wish they could have done more with her, as in her wake, Vice Admiral Holdo (Laura Dern) takes things over, and I really don't like that character much.

Continuing on, we have Rose, who some have dubbed the Sequel Trilogy's Jar Jar. I wouldn't take it that far, because at least Rose didn't actually irritate me. The thing is, her character is basically there to send messages of love, care and hope. In the middle of everything, the film just kinda stops to crowbar in a cruelty to animals message on top of an anti-war message. She's basically a hippie. I don't dislike her quite as much as others, but I will admit that the character is altogether unnecessary. Think of all of those scenes with just Finn and BB-8 instead; you could really have Finn coming into his own, and it probably would have made for a better, more straightforward part of the story.

So, what about the things I did like? Well, I was one of the few people who commended the movie for trying out new things, particularly with the force. The whole communication thing between Rey and Ren was something I thought was pretty cool. Some interesting things are picked up along Rey's personal journey as well. The mirror scene was something I thought was cool, taking is as a metaphor for an infinite amount of possibilities, as well as her coming to terms with quite possibly being alone. It's a little cryptic and weird though, and very reminiscent of 'Empire's tree scene, which is a little more obvious to take as Luke's potential to become a new Vader.

Further to that, I like seeing both sides struggle, being pulled in their opposite direction. My prediction after this was that Rey and Ren would eventually join sides as the first Grey Jedi (altogether good, but will break rules if necessary). That possibility was pushed with Yoda's cameo in this (still played by the great Frank Oz) in which me pretty much tells Luke that it's time to end the old ways. By the way, the Sacred Jedi Texts were apparently brought on board the Falcon when Rey leaves, explaining why they're still alive and well. Remember that just because we don't see it happen, doesn't mean it doesn't. That was just one of many criticisms other people threw at this movie that I was able to wrap my head around.

I could honestly be here all day picking apart and analyzing this movie, but I have to wrap things up at some point. As far as personal taste goes, this comes almost level with 'Attack of the Clones', but I like 'Clones' slightly better. I would, however, still place it above 'Phantom Menace', which puts it third from the bottom of my 'Star Wars' favorites. As far as what's at the very bottom? Well, that's coming up in the next review - the 'Star Wars' movie that may or may not have finally broken me.
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3/5

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