Star Wars: The Last Jedi: Review

Rian Johnson takes the helm for Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the middle slice of the current trilogy in the long running Star Wars cannon. A cat and mouse game between the First Order and the last surviving members of the resistance, Rey on an uncharted island seeking for Luke Skywalker's guidance and Finn with newcomer Rose Tico searching for a way out of the luxurious casino planet 'Canto Bight', it's a race against space and time with the growing threat of Supreme Leader Snoke and his loyal apprentice Kylo Ren. 

Star Wars' blockbusting return launches the sci-fi saga into exciting galaxies far far away. Nine movies in, The Last Jedi, by some great revelation, delivers the four decade long series most original picture. It isn't fuelled by nostalgia the way 2015's 'The Force Awakens' was, and waves a poignant farewell to the old days of Star Wars and a warm welcome to a new age of Jedi. 

Rather than an ending or a continuation, The Last Jedi delivers a smarter, richer and consequential beginning to the new Star Wars. Johnson's striking visuals, compelled by a gorgeous artistic flare  allows The Last Jedi to standout amongst the other eight entries . The american director looks at the series from an abstract angle and delivers a less fanboy approach than perhaps JJ Abrahams did with 'The Force Awakens'. 

Upon second viewing, The Last Jedi appears the finest chapter in the ever expanding Star Wars story. Earlier issues fall into place second time round, seeming to click and service the story far greater than remembered. Everything is key, has grit, purpose and consequence. Its characters are each woven delicately into the story given direction and meaning. Above all The Last Jedi grasps this realistic and brutal concept of war, emphasising the saber swooshing fantasy’s more sophisticated under tone.  

Adam Driver's sterling turn as 'Kylo Ren' and Daisy Ridley's career defining performance as 'Rey' mark the lightsaber-esque snap, fizzle and oomph the two kick into the Star Wars saga. Their spine tingling performances are the driving force,  front running the newer Star Wars trilogy. 

The Last Jedi is gorgeous, its complex, its purposeful and in every way the quintessential Star Wars movie. Admittedly its challenging, uncovering its many layers -  asking more of you than previous episodes but the result is a reward worth reaping. Compelled by the phenomenal Daisy Ridley and Adam Driver, Star Wars: The Last Jedi is an iconic space sensation, blasting the four decade long series  on a new course. 

I am going to give Star Wars: The Last Jedi:

9.4/10