Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)

User Review

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  TheReelBurke

  9 / 10

  This film opens and immediately it feels like a Star Wars sequel but also quickly lets you know that this is a completely different film from any of the other in the franchise. The entire film is about the struggle to do next. The chemistry that between the core characters was palpable. Hamill gives what might be his best live-action performance to date. You can tell that Luke has been with him every moment for the past 30 years. The chemistry he has with Daisy Ridley elevated both characters arcs throughout the film. John Boyega was again great as Finn. Kelly Marie Tran was outstanding adding another memorable and strong female character to the Star Wars universe. Now for the big one. Carrie Fisher's performance in The Force Awakens was one of my negative points about the film but in The Last Jedi, she was back. Maybe it was a combination of the emotion of her death coloring my reception but she felt more comfortable on screen. Every moment Leia was on screen I was captivated and heartbroken to the point of tears at one moment. Rian Johnson delivers a film that felt completely like Star Wars but also was fresh and risk-taking. The way certain things are revealed in the film is surprising and has the potential to anger the hardcore fans.
  
  
  
  Now for the few things, I disliked about the film. In the first act, the film felt a little cluttered and disjointed. With so many of the characters separated at the open getting the plotlines of each group moving felt a little sluggish. Next, I had was with the humor. It was that the humor in the film didn't work it just felt misplaced at times. My last issue and probably my biggest issue was one I had with The Force Awakens and that is that certain characters are underused. I won't say which characters because I don't want to spoil anything for you but you'll know exactly which characters I mean after you see the film.
  
  
  
  Overall, The Last Jedi was another classic addition to the Star Wars franchise. Rian Johnson made bold and surprising choices that added a weight to the film that I think would have been lacking from another director. The way he brought together the separate plotlines give one of the strongest third acts from a film this year. Mark Hamill's return to the screen as Luke was worth every second of the wait. While The Last Jedi might not have been as tight of a story or as well put together as The Force Awakens or Rogue One I have a feeling I will enjoy it more and more with repeat views and that it will be moving up the list of my favorite Star Wars films.

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