I went in expecting to like it the same as I like The Force Awakens but I was blown away. I honestly don’t have any problems with the film. I’m glad I feel that way and I can’t wait to see it again.
I am RIGHT with you and Cobb! This film blew me away. It had my legs shaking. Of course I have some issues. Too much comedy and Canto Bight could be cut down. You could also get rid of Leia’s superman moment. But besides that? Well what you have is a Star Wars masterpiece. Now begins my full review. Feel free to poke any holes through it if you disagree:
This film is so incredible in so many ways and I don’t know where to start so I will just start moving through some of the great things.
Firstly, Luke’s fate was one of the most beautiful and inspiring scenes in Star Wars history. This film instantly feels so much richer and more satisfying than both Force Awakens and Rogue One.
Rey and Kylo’s relationship was absolutely perfect. An amazing moral drama between the two that had my eyes glued to the screen. Luke and Yoda’s scene might be the most heartwarming scene in the whole film. Luke’s training is full of interesting moments (sometimes too much humor), and an amazing depiction of how the Force connects everything. When Rey feels things around her and we get her describing the beauty and chaos with the accompanied visuals, it was just visceral.
The multiple perspectives and descriptions of the Kylo/Luke flashback work perfectly. I felt so sorry for Luke and the guilt he felt. His dialogue about it being a “fleeting moment” and only then realizing his great mistake was just wonderful. I also actually started to see why Kylo would have that as the moment that sets him crazy and loose.
The relationship between Rey and Ben Solo was beautiful. Very saddening towards the end yet still emotionally rewarding. Their force bond was a genius and inventive idea from Rian Johnson. Their complex moral dilemma of Rey seeing the desire for good in Kylo makes sense and I totally felt it to be true. And Kylo’s use of Rey’s parentage against her and his persuasion was just great.
Luke at the end was a true Jedi. Using the force for the ultimate defense, using Ben Solo’s hate against him, saving his friends, and lighting hope for the galaxy. Then he finally finds his peace with a binary sunset. The same sunset he gazed upon when he once desired to be apart of something greater than himself.
“The Rebellion is reborn today…The War is not over…And I will NOT be the Last Jedi…”
Come at me folks. I LOVED this film.
That was actually a very nice and accurate description of the very high highs of the movie to me. Having in mind Luke’s character in TFA, what they did was masterful and very well executed. He walking all alone to face the huge and powerful First Order and WIN is quite possibly my favorite scene in movie history.
And I loved Luke+Kylo Ren’s story and their relationship, and deep down part of me wishes that THAT was Episode 7.
But the way the movie flows for a while didn’t really feel that much like Star Wars to me, and that alongside the cheesy jokes and other cheesy moments in general took me out of the movie several times.