Nico’s Movie Review: ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’

We're now well and truly into the Disney Star Wars era. The entertainment giant bought Lucasfilm in 2012, and almost immediately began producing new Star Wars films.

With the release of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the unique style of the new trilogy is really starting to emerge.

The Last Jedi picks up almost immediately after the events of the previous film (The Force Awakens), and sees the Resistance, headed up by General Leia Organa (the late Carrie Fisher), trying to escape the authoritarian First Order's clutches.

Along with that, the film concerns efforts by Rey (Daisy Ridley) to bring Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) back into the fight against an evil threat.

Beyond that basic structure, I'm not going to get into further detail regarding plot points, because I know that there is almost no worse feeling than having a new Star Wars film spoiled for you before you see it. However, I will discuss, in vague terms, what I liked and disliked about this movie.

I have to start by saying that for those critics who complained that The Force Awakens was a carbon copy of the original 1977 Star Wars, this film should satisfy you in that regard. This is certainly not a rehashing of The Empire Strikes Back, although it does share some similarities.

Speaking of Empire, I feel that in regards to visuals and audio aesthetics, The Last Jedi is the most stunning film since Episode 5. The use of color and lighting, silence and swells of music, is absolutely fantastic, and truly took my breath away. While I appreciate the Star Wars prequels for the interesting world they built, they weren't this good looking.

From an acting perspective, I feel like everyone does a commendable job. John Boyega as the former Stormtrooper Finn is really an interesting character, because he's not a typical hero. He's cowardly at times, but that makes him a fleshed out person.

Oscar Isaac as Poe Dameron really stood out to me; in The Force Awakens, I felt he was one-dimensional, and while he starts out that way in this film, his character goes through a very satisfying arc.

Of course, Carrie Fisher as Leia in her final acting role is great as well. I love the angle she brings to the character, you can really see the changes that have happened to her between the end of Return of the Jedi and now.

However, Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker absolutely steals the show. Every scene he is in, he is the star, and his performance is absolutely stunning. There is so much conflict in Luke, and Hamill's portrayal captures that perfectly.

Before I saw The Last Jedi, I saw someone call Hamill's performance Academy Award for Best Actor worthy. I scoffed, but now I'm not so sure. Star Wars isn't a typical Oscar film, but I definitely think the idea shouldn't be dismissed out of hand.

Unfortunately, with any Star Wars movie there has to be flaws. I won't get too in depth with them, because I'd worry about spoiling things. I will say though, some things I consider flaws might grow on me on further viewings.

Some character motivations seem muddled, some major decisions by leaders seem a little suspect, and some may find that there's too much talking and not enough laser swordfighting. On that last point, though, I personally love the lore surrounding the Jedi, and who they were, so that didn't bother me.

My opinion isn't fully formed yet, but I'm pretty sure that I'd consider Star Wars: The Last Jedi the best Star Wars film since the original trilogy. But I don't have to tell you to see it or not see it. If you've seen all SEVEN movies so far, you'll likely see this one, and if you haven't seen all seven, I recommend you go see those first.

Check out the trailer below.