Review: Star Wars: The Last Jedi

​The Last Jedi broke new ground and soared to new heights in the Star Wars saga. This wasn’t your average sci-fi flick and for that I applaud it. Director Rian Johnson (Looper) also threw in his own creative spark. Plus, superb performances from both Mark Hamill and the late Carrie Fisher. The Last Jedi advanced the universe and blurred the lines between good and evil. 

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​A grand experience, indeed. Star Wars: The Last Jedi is the popcorn flick to watch this winter season. It’s a bold look into these beloved characters and takes the saga to untouched territory like you’ve never seen before. Some fans might find these advancements polarizing to their dreams and theories, but I say job well done. The Last Jedi honor’s the originally trilogy’s rich legacy, but isn’t afraid to move on to newer material. This to me was exciting and left my head spinning by the end of the film. Striking in at a long 152 minutes, this is the longest Star Wars film to-date.

Without giving too much away, Rey (a strong Daisy Ridley) develops her newly discovered abilities with the guidance of Luke Skywalker (the master actor, Hamill), who is unsettled by the strength of her powers. Meanwhile, the Resistance prepares for battle with the First Order. Johnson weaves in three storylines throughout the film: Rey and Luke’s story, Finn (a fantastic John Boyega) and new character Rose’s (a wonderful Kelly Marie Tran) story and General Leia Organa's (the fierce Fisher) Resistance vs. the First Order story. Some might think that act two during Finn and Rose’s story dragged a bit, but it’s a slow burner and crucial puzzle piece to fill for the final act in this film. Everything comes full circle and even takes on some wild twists.

Hamill has never been better in the role as Luke, he digs down deeper into his character shocking your inner Jedi to the core. Actor Adam Driver also delivers another solid performance as the baddie, Kylo Ren A.K.A. Ben Solo. Coming off the murder of his father, Han Solo (Harrison Ford) in The Force Awakens, Kylo is ragging with fury and greed. Johnson continues to peel away layers of Ren’s character throughout the film leaving him at his most vulnerable. The Last Jedi is a middle chapter epic and continues Disney’s reign of good fortune. Johnson does something here that I haven’t seen since The Empire Strikes Back and that’s infuse passion into the heart of the story's emotional core. This was a grand addition to the Star Wars canon and a new hope for further advancement in this new age of storytelling.

​The Last Jedi is no copycat here in the way of storytelling, as we see an arousing new chapter filled with eye-popping action. The film dazzles and then some by the end of its 152 minutes run-time. Actor’s Oscar Isaac, Domhnall Gleeson, Laura Dern and Benicio Del Toro also help with the chapter eight's vision and growth as they all perform to perfection. Add in some old friends (Chewbacca, R2-D2 and C-3PO) with some new ones (Rose Tico, Vice Admiral Amilyn Holdo and Porgs) and you get a galaxy full of nostalgia with new surprises. The Last Jedi is a triumph for any sci-fi fans out there as it blurred the lines between good and evil. It receives all five stars from me. May the Force be with this epic film. “The Rebellion is reborn today. The war is just beginning. And I will not be the last Jedi.” – Luke. 

Star Wars: The Last Jedi is rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned). For sequences of sci-fi action and violence.