[MAJOR SPOILERS - be warned.]
Ok, I've seen TLJ twice now. I loved it the first time, and saw even more to like and appreciate the second time. It is the best Star Wars movie since A New Hope, as far as I am concerned. For those interested, I'll explain why.
Firstly, it's clearly the work of a film-maker, and one who has thought carefully about how to craft an effective epic film in the 21st century. I can see some of the magic of the Harry Potter films in this, but more than anything else, I see echoes of the second (and best) Lord of the Rings films, The Two Towers.
I reckon a good deal of the backlash against this film comes from this; from their perspective, there is probably too much of 'other' films and franchises in this for it to be a 'true' Star Wars film. Whilst I can understand this, it is a very flawed view. For a start, Lucas borrowed heavily from Samurai and Arthurian narratives to construct his original saga. And surely no fan would want this new film to resemble any of the prequel films in any way, shape or form...
And besides, there are numerous parallels with the original films. Rey's decision to go to Kylo is a deliberate echo of Luke's decision to go to Vader. Snoke is an avatar of the Emperor, and his demise is a fascinating subversion of the demise of Darth Sidius.
Returning Harry Potter, what I get is a sense of the struggle that comes from being alone (and conspicuously parentless), the desire for a mentor, and the struggle to accept one's power and find one's place. Yes, the similarities between Rey and Harry are striking, and surely not accidental.
Similarly, when you seen gigantic horse/deer/short-necked giraffes rampaging across the screen, with two heroes clinging gamely to the neck of one said beast, it's hard not to recognise a deliberate attempt to ratchet up the fantasy and western elements of this space saga. And the film is all the better for it, I think.
The resemblance to LOTR: TTT is as much structural as it is thematic. Peter Jackson's epic film wove together three distinct yet interdependent stories, and Rian Johnson does the same. This structural device gives the film a good deal of its narrative power; everyone is trying desperately to fulfil their respective roles for the collective good. Everyone is prepared to risk all. The stakes are genuinely high for all characters, but by having their stories spread across the three narrative arcs, all get the chance to develop in their own ways, with heroism being the theme all three have in common.
The casting is excellent. As Rey, Daisy Ridley continues to shine as a hero that all can identify with, and all can admire. She's Buffy, really. And if you want to draw from a narrative that worked, that be it. Adam Driver has invested Kylo with a terrific, complex range. So emotive, and yet so inscrutable, too. Unlike the downfall of Anakin/rise of Vader - which Lucas clumsily drew in crayon - Driver's performance is nuanced and impassioned; the work of a real actor. (Sorry, Hayden.) When Kylo roars that he wants the Millennium Falcon shot out of the sky, you feel his rage. And when he realises he's been duped by a true Jedi Master, his agonised 'NO!' is actually believable; a first for the franchise, and possibly the entire genre.
And let's spend some time on that Jedi Master. Let's not beat around the Ach Toh cliffs: Mark Hamill's performance is an absolute joy to behold. Conflicted, grumpy, guilty, witty, he invests Luke with a depth and gravitas his character deserves.
The film - indeed, the saga - genuinely peaks when he (Luke) strides out to face his fallen protege. And when Kylo launches every weapon he has at him, it's like the climax of Moby Dick. There is Kylo, pouring the sum of all his rage and hate on the man who wounded him. That Luke rises, only to give his coat the lightest of Bond-esqe brushes is just fantastic. I wanted to cheer.
The fact that it's all a ruse only enhances the power of the scene. Kylo has been utterly, utterly duped by true Master, with a power he cannot come anywhere close to comprehending. Luke's transformation is complete: he goes from being totally disconnected from the Force, to becoming one with it. That's a very satisfying story, as far as I'm concerned, and if that's the last we see of Luke Skywalker, the perfect farewell.
Another key feature of the film's success is the range of prominent and important roles given to female characters. Rose's sister is the first significant (and heroic) death in the film, and her sister's arc is both engaging and important. The casting of an actress of Asian descent who doesn't ape hyper-female cliche is wonderful, and so important for its younger viewers to see. Having Po learn (the hard way) about what leadership and heroism really look like from two older women is perfect, and the fact that both actually like him is even better. They see his potential, and want to help him grow, rather than desiring to keep him down out of arrogance, or for the sake of it. As a result, he genuinely looks up to them.
For the saga, it's simply tragic that Carrie Fisher isn't around to give General Organa the prominent place in Episode IX that she deserves. This will be difficult for directors, writers and fans alike. But at the very least, her final presence in this universe was hugely satisfying. Lots of wisdom, plenty of wit, and balls of steel. Actor and character; almost identical. We'll miss you, Carrie.
Oh, and this: General Hux is this film's Jar-Jar Binks. Binks was an annoying abomination because we were meant to like him; but Hux is fantastic because we're supposed to loathe him. As a result, we get to do both. And if he's not based on Arnold Rimmer, I'll eat my porg.
The Last Jedi is a great film. Period. I loved it. Of course, it's not perfect, but there's just so much savour on every conceivable level. This is what a constructed cinematic universe is supposed to do; give the viewer a multi-level immersive experience. Judged on those terms, The Last Jedi in an unqualified success. My only concern is that it is untoppable, and that Episode IX will not be able to do anything other than pale in comparison. Still, to be gifted a film like this, that's something I can live with.
Failure, the best teacher, is. Yoda, as always, is right. The proof is right here.
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