- "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" was a movie full of hope and resilience.
- That's exactly the message we need after a year of heartache and loss.
- In my opinion, this is the best "Star Wars" installment of the past 30 years.
- This review is spoiler-free.
"Star Wars" is no longer a science fantasy franchise; it's a monumental annual seasonal event. It's a time of tremendous celebration, one that rivals the holidays in its social and cultural relevance.
Tickets are pre-purchased like boxed gifts. Families, friends, lovers, maybe even amicable rivals gather together to offer good cheer to their nearest chain theaters (or, hopefully, their loyal, locally-owned arthouse joints). Movie theaters have dwindled at an alarming rate. But for one special weekend, it seems like everyone pays them a joyous visit.
The newest movie is wonderful and, in my opinion, the best "Star Wars" installment in the past 30 years.
The magic of the movies is extravagantly on display in "Star Wars: The Last Jedi," writer/director Rian Johnson's epic, entertaining, engrossing, invigorating, and politically conscious new sequel.
The newest installment builds upon Disney's massively successful "The Force Awakens," J.J. Abrams' charming, rousing, re-energized, and overly nostalgic contribution to the prolonged space-based saga, while also exemplifying everything eager fans to casual viewers will want to see. "The Last Jedi" is a smart, thoughtful, thematically compelling continuation to George Lucas' groundbreaking franchise.
It isn't just the best "Star Wars"movie since 1980's excellent "The Empire Strikes Back." Rather, it's the first truly really good "Star Wars" movie in over 30 years, and the first sequel to live up to the promise once laid in Lucas' grand vision since Disney's rich acquisition.
The film's successes are continuous. The performances are electrifying. The special effects are dazzling. The writing is surprisingly dense, layered, even poetic. The direction is, at once, somber and spellbinding. Every emotional beat is both fully commanding and warmly realized.
But best of all, this film is unabashedly democratic and vigorously relevant.
That's what makes it fantastically, unexpectedly vital in 2017: the gruesome year of the never-ending dumpster fire.
These past 12 months have produced a ruthless stream of constant sadness. Natural disasters, ballistic political movements, Twitter meltdowns, sexual assault allegations, mass shootings, — it's not worth reminiscing too much. Government is maddening. Several of your favorites have shown themselves to be problematic this year. These aren't fun times. Escapism isn't merely enough. People need inspiration. We need hope.
2017 is the year we looked to films for hope and this film delivered.
Several beautiful movies were released throughout 2017, many of them successfully lifting your soul and filling your heart with fluttering joy and re-invigoration, instead of engulfing you in your automatic state of intense, boiling anger. "Lady Bird" was divine. "The Florida Project" absorbed us in its bittersweet harmonium. "The Disaster Artist" reminded us that even failure can bring happiness and peace. "Get Out"was a stunning, revealing social commentary, one that won't escape the public conversation for decades to come. "Wonder Woman" rightfully kicked all kinds of ass this summer.
But "Star Wars" is a different beast. A new "Star Wars"movie isn't just your average public outing. It's an event. It's a pivotal pop culture scene. There are lofty expectations. Copious speculation. Assorted arguments on Reddit. One doesn't merely watch a "Star Wars" movie; they devour them.
It's easy for Disney to make a crowd-pleasing blockbuster that plays it safe and stays true to tired story conventions, indulging in excessive references and cameos to familiar beats and characters. Thankfully and shockingly, however, "The Last Jedi" is not that film.
Much like the original 1977 film, it challenges fascism and tyrannical oppression. That's not necessarily surprising — though the irony of Disney making a deal to further their monopolistic power on the first night of this movie's release shouldn't be lost.
But "The Last Jedi" also promotes individuality against the principles established by our elders, finding your path, fighting our growing evils, and, of course, absolute resistance towards any of its conformity and normalcy. I won't delve into spoilers, but let's just say that this 153-minute film has many powerful things to say, and it says them with cinematic splendor.
This isn't another "Star Wars" movie. This futuristic tale is very present. This is one for our times.
And although some people don't want to be reminded of our dire, depressing times during their yearly trip to a galaxy far, far away, "The Last Jedi" is, ultimately, the thrilling salvation we need. It challenges and it moves us. It surprises and it delights us. It brings us together and it reminds us why we love going to the movies.
It also reminds us why we keep fighting, why we simply cannot quit. It is hard to live in 2017. Very hard. 2018 isn't looking better. But "The Last Jedi"is not only terrific but purposeful. It's a spellbinding accomplishment with agency and meaning.
When you gather around your loved ones and experience it this weekend or the next, you'll soon remember why "Star Wars" is such a present cultural milestone, and why it has mattered — and continues to matter — so much to us.
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