Hello there,
Time to end my blog haitus. While work is still pretty insane (the last week before the holidays is upcoming), I’m done term one of my Masters program, and I have more time to dedicate to reading (yahoo!) and writing. Of course, Star Wars brings out the writer in me, because I need somewhere to put down all my emotional thoughts about the new film, Episode VIII – The Last Jedi. My review will be completely spoiler free, but if you’ve seen it and wish to discuss elements and aspects of it with me further, send me a private message.
First and foremost, to true Star Wars addicts like myself, I really recommend watching it twice. The first time I watched it, I came out exhausted from the anxiety I had going in; anxiety caused from excitement and also expectation. This caused a bit of a “crash” post-film that made it hard to process. After watching it again tonight, there is so much more I appreciate about it. It really took the second viewing to get a good feel for it, in its entirety.
The movie wasn’t perfect, by any means. There are a lot of character developments that I have serious issues with. My issues that I had regarding the character Phasma in The Force Awakens reign more true this time around. After reading her backstory in the book ‘Phasma’, I just don’t the way she’s made out to be in the film. It doesn’t fit.
Another problem I had was with some consistency errors (again, I’ll discuss this in a private message if you’d like to talk about it further), and a scene with Leia that, to me, was just stupid.
Apart from the aforementioned, this movie was spectacular. It was touching, it was raw, it was funny (the humour reminded me of the heart and hilarity in the original trilogies), and cinematically, it was just mindblowing. There were two scenes in particular that really stood out to me: the throne room scene and all the fighting that took place on the salt planet. Absolutely outstanding. There are not enough words I can say to sing the praises of those moments in the film. Whoever decided on the design and effects of the salt planet needs a hell of a raise.
I really appreciated the development of both Rey and Kylo Ren. Their character development was so authentic and emotional, in their own very unique ways. Adam Driver was phenomenal.
Rian Johnson’s film had me on the edge of my seat, had me gasping, and had me continuously surprised. He definitely took this trilogy in a new and yet familiar direction, and I appreciate what he did. I understand why Star Wars fans might be torn on this, but if they take a moment to appreciate it as a film on it’s own, they can’t deny that it is one of the most amazing cinematic feats.
Pay attention to the final scene; I think there’s some clue into what Rian Johnson will create in the new trilogy.
I gave this movie an 88% after my first viewing, and while I noticed more things that I loved about it the second time around, I still think that an 88% is a fair representation of the film (I would give The Force Awakens a 92%, just an FYI). Despite me rating TFA higher than TLJ, I think I might like this movie more. I have to watch it a few more times to truly find out. In the meantime, I’ll emerge myself in the worlds in literature that is from the ‘Journey to Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ release.
Have any questions, comments, thoughts? Share below (spoiler free) or send me a message if you’d like to discuss this further!
xo
C
lifeofcloud 