The world of Star Wars is as familiar as it is troubling for filmmakers. It seems as expansive as your own imagination. However, the films seem to draw the line of caution and fan service when attempting another iteration of the galaxy far, far away. That is until Rian Johnson and a team of incredibly talented visionaries comes along. The Force Awakens awoke the beast that is the Star Wars fandom, as much as it did the critics for falling under the spell of caution. People (including myself) found the familiar narrative more than a bit reminiscent to A New Hope than our liking, and a protagonist in Rey that flew past challenges like they were trivial activities- all the while Kylo Ren’s petulance fell too close to whiny teenager grounds for much of the fanbase’s liking. He was troubled, and mentally fatigued by the trauma faced before the film and understandingly during the film. But he drew from a power we hadn’t quite witnessed him bestow much at all to believe the position he was in, as suitable.

The Last Jedi, straps ahold of your adrenaline and throws away all your worries. Much to Rian Johnson’s credit; it astonishes from beginning to end with daring twists, cinematics we could only dream of finding in a Star Wars flick, and a team of well-orchestrated talents squeezing everything out of each scene. The twists never trip under their own feet. Johnson lingers bait in front of every narrative expectation, spins it, twists it once more, and places it comfortably in the universe set by George Lucas. It’s a mind-jarring journey every step, and pulls its punches just as well. A seemingly circumscribed universe delineated by Lucas’s narrative format set in 1977 until Johnson (an obviously passionate Star Wars fanatic at heart) shows you can pull from the lore- especially the animated series Clone Wars, to add just a sliver to the world with such a poignant hand. The mythology is growing, slowly but surely. A statement that seemed so out of reach after viewing The Force Awakens; that it now feels as if we had only touched the surface of what this film astonishes with.

The introduction of The Last Jedi familiarizes us with the playful format of the narrative. We begin with the last of the rebels; led by the resilient General Leia (Carrie Fisher)- in an arduous escape from a more meticulous First Order than we are used to, led by Supreme Leader Snoke (Andy Serkis); a demonizing figure who’s animosity towards the remaining Jedi is tamed and coupled with decisions made along the lines of a galactic Chess match. He borders on an average villain and dollar brand General Grievous but steps up his game in an entertaining way along the way that demands your respect. He has plans for the young manipulative minds of Rey (Daisy Ridley) and Darth Vader’s biggest fan Kylo Ren (Adam Driver). Between the calamity of it all, upon the aquatic planet of Ahch-To, Rey continues her journey to uncover the mystery of the legendary Jedi Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) upon the jagged lands of his hermit home-land.

But is it a re-hash of Empire? Not one bit. There are elements of Empire that are flipped on their head. This film is infused with the most spiritual direction and writing I’ve ever witnessed in a Star Wars property, save the final episodes of the lovely series Clone Wars. Elements, that I cannot for all my respect for your theater experience share with you.

The Last Jedi strays away from expectation so much at times, without the given notice throughout by Johnson himself that in fact, this is a Star Wars film; with cheesy, fun humor that for the most part works well- you’ll feel spellbound. Its comedic tone that borders on Spaceballs seeps into the lifeblood of the film as much as your own, and then you get blasted back into the adrenaline-fueled, cinematic vision of Johnson. Cinematography that somehow makes warp speed even more awesome than you had ever deemed it to be, Jedi spirituality that drives with elegant, trenchant force (pun intended) at the core of the Jedi religion, and of course the lightsaber duels.

A series of mini-missions this movie seems to throw us into. Each mission surfacing the motive of our valiant heroes as more of a survival state than our familiar Original Trilogy Rebellion enforced. Along the way settling the old conflict, and simultaneously introducing paralyzing new battles whether internal or external- with excellent presentation visually, and narratively. Fan favorites serving justice and finding solace in their destiny- whether you expect it or not will dazzle you. Leia Organa, a destiny that captured the hearts at her very first introduction on screen in A New Hope, and now, unfortunately, lingers even heavier with the passing of lovely actress Carrie Fisher. Fisher delivers a heavy hitter with every opportunity; drawing even greater chemistry than she had in the Force Awakens with Harrison Ford, here with a rich performance by Mark Hamill. Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca is intertwined nicely as the other past favorites are; Of course, C-3PO is as witty as ever.

Fanservice is barely an issue at all in this film. Even the grimace towards the cute, little Porg’s introduction turned into a delightful smile. The film is innovative. Rian Johnson doesn’t cover the blemishes and weaknesses of the characters- he digs deeper. So uncomfortably deep, that the entire film feels like a humbling lesson. The introspective turmoil of Rey beautifully plays along the same lines of Luke’s journey into the dark to find the destination for the light. But there’s a technique here that Johnson utilizes that no other Star Wars film has done yet; the telepathic connection between two battling sides of the force. Yes, I know you’re giving me the: “yeah buts….” but, I’ll say it is phenomenal in every place it is used, and how it is dictated by the narrative. You’ll see. It’s different. And much like most of the film, you’ll be asking yourselves: “Did that just happen?”

The Last Jedi, balances the audacious direction of Rian Johnson with the foundation built by the franchise superbly. It dangles narrative tropes right in front of your face to only kick them to the curve, like it is exercising its right to spar with our emotions with Floyd Mayweather like meticulousness. Introducing well-developed characters that add the story and lore, and continues to build the known characters to enrich the spiritual core of the film. Meta humor (as doable in this franchise as possible) infused in cinematic art pieces; which entertain the audience on the capabilities of technology in this universe, the Force, and how much money you can squeeze out of your pocket for the next viewing. The excellent choreography that adds power and grace to the fiery emotions being thrown like haymakers left and right. The choreography that could be debated as, if not more poetic than the prequel duels. It balances a couple of branching storylines well, besides an unfortunate section of the plot that felt disingenuous and pulled away from the well-drawn, calculated pace delivered (besides these parts of the film). Excellent performances delivered all around, twists that fly under the radar, a score that most certainly doesn’t, and a Star Wars film to cherish hopefully for the ages is the result.

Score: 9/10

AH

Cast

Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker

Carrie Fisher as Leia Organa

Adam Driver as Kylo Ren

Daisy Ridley as Rey

John Boyega as Finn

Oscar Isaac as Poe Dameron

Benicio Del Toro as DJ

Andy Serkis as Supreme Leader Snoke

Lupita Nyong’o as Maz Kanata

Domhnall Gleeson as General Hux

Anthony Daniels as C-3PO

Gwendoline Christie as Captain Phasma

Laura Dern as Vice Admiral Amilyn Holdo

Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca

Director

Rian Johnson

Writer (based on characters created by)

George Lucas

Writer

Rian Johnson

Director of Photography

Steve Yedlin

Cinematographer

Steve Yedlin

Editor

Bob Ducsay

Composer

John Williams