Star Wars: The Last Jedi Movie Review

By: Lynn Barker

In Star Wars The Last Jedi, Rey (Daisy Ridley) is hoping Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) will train her in the ways of the Force. General Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher in her last performance) is leading the dwindling Rebel forces against The First Order, especially General Hux (Domhnall Gleeson) who is determined to wipe them out. When his forces use a tracker to follow the last of the Rebel fleet even through hyperspace, it’s up to Rey, Finn (John Boyega), Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) and a feisty mechanic named Rose Tico (Kelly Marie Tran) to stop them. Meanwhile, Rey fights her connection to Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) who wants to replace Supreme Leader Snoke (Andy Serkis in motion capture gear) at all costs.

Her power allows Rey to communicate with Kylo RenCourtesy of Lucasfilm Ltd.

Attack and Run

Poe Dameron bravely attacks a First Order Fleet but many Rebel lives are lost. Resistance fighters led by General Leia Organa have to evacuate their main base. After a fight, Resistance vessels jump into hyperspace to escape while Leia demotes Poe for disobeying orders and getting more pilots killed. Supreme Leader Snoke gives General Hux hell for his failure to stop the Rebel fleet from escaping. The fleet’s fuel supplies are dwindling. During a battle, Kylo Ren has a chance to destroy the ship carrying his mother Leia but finds he can not. The ship is hit anyway and Leia, using the Force, is the only survivor but in a coma when rescued by Rebels.

Rebel pilot Poe has a plan of his ownCourtesy of Lucasfilm Ltd.

The evil Supreme Commander SnokeCourtesy of Lucasfilm Ltd.

On Jedi Island

Rey is still on island Ahch-To, having arrived with Chewbacca and R2-D2 aboard the Millennium Falcon but Luke won’t teach her the Jedi way despite her telling him that Leia and the Resistance really need him. He thinks it is time for the Jedi to disappear.  We learn that Rey carries a device that will always let her track the Rebellion. Leia wears one as well. Learning Han is dead, and after reuniting with R2D2, Luke tries to teach Rey about the Force. She is so strong that she and Kylo Ren are able to communicate, even “see” each other at a distance. Kylo and Luke give different versions of the incident that drove Kylo to the dark side and Luke to isolation on the island.

Luke takes his old light saber from ReyCourtesy of Lucasfilm Ltd.

Rey Goes to Ren

Unable to convince Luke to re-join the rebellion and feeling that Kylo Ren still has light and good in him, Rey leaves the island and allows herself to be captured so she can face Kylo. Yoda’s spirit comes to Luke to tell him that his failure can be the greatest teacher. Meanwhile, Rey is taken by Kylo to confront Snoke who practically tortures her to learn where Luke Skywalker is. Rey urges Kylo to rebel and turn to the light. Snoke explains that he controlled the mental connection between Kylo and her as part of a plan to destroy Luke. Ordered to kill Rey, Kylo instead kills Snoke. Rey and Kylo work together to kill Snoke's guards. Kylo asks Rey to help him build a new order, but Rey refuses and asks him to join the Resistance.

Can Kylo Ren ever give up the Dark Side?Courtesy of Lucasfilm Ltd.

The Secret Mission

With General Leia in a coma, Vice Admiral Amilyn Holdo (Laura Dern) is in command. She seems too passive to Poe and Finn has found Leia’s tracker connected to Rey. He must go find Rey. Poe, Finn, mechanic Rose Tico and droid BB-8 embark on a secret mission to disable the First Order’s tracking device which emanates from their lead ship. First, they must break a code protecting it. They are off to a big casino planet on Canto Bight to get the most famous code decoder guy in the Galaxy to help them. After being captured and put in jail, they manage to escape with the aid of DJ (Benecio del Toro), a decoder.

Vice-Admiral Holdo (Laura Dern) has to take overCourtesy of Lucasfilm Ltd.

Holdo’s Plan

Holdo isn’t all that passive after all. She is slowly evacuating the remaining Resistance members to a nearby old Rebel Alliance stronghold using small transports and she has an additional plan. Will there be enough time? Poe and group infiltrate the lead First Order ship, hoping to disable the tracker but are captured by Captain Phasma (Gwendoline Christie). BB-8 manages to escape but traitor DJ reveals the Resistance's plan to the First Order, and the evacuation transports are targeted with heavy losses.

Phasma and her troopersCourtesy of Lucasfilm Ltd.

DJ the Decoder isn't to be trustedCourtesy of Lucasfilm Ltd.

Outcome?

Will Luke come to help the resistance? Will Leia recover? Will the Rebel fleet escape The First Order? Will Kylo stay on the Dark Side or join the Rebels? Will Poe, Finn, Rose and BB-8 escape to rejoin the fight? And has Rey escaped after her confrontation with Snoke and Kylo? Will the Resistance survive? Will more Rebels join the small numbers of resistance fighters left?

BB-8 is a hero too!Courtesy of Lucasfilm Ltd.

Wrapping Up

Star Wars The Last Jedi has it all; tears and laughter, many twists and beautifully-executed action. The film is emotionally satisfying while keeping up its war-driven pace. There are secrets, twists and revelations galore. You learn new things about the Force and finally discover Rey’s origins. The movie is packed with loads of heroic women and strong characters representing many races, including droid and alien. It’s downright inspiring for young and old.

Battle actionCourtesy of Lucasfilm Ltd.

Special effects are breath-taking. I especially enjoyed several new “critters” ranging from tiny penguin-like beings to huge, lovable animals used as horses for racing and dog-like creatures who seem to be made out of crystal.

A tiny Porg creature joins the RebelsCourtesy of Lucasfilm Ltd.

The movie is a fitting tribute to Carrie Fisher. I finally cried during the scene in which Luke and Leia are briefly reunited. What is said could also apply to Mark and Carrie in real life. Mark Hamill gives the performance of his career embodying the courage, heroism and emotional exhaustion that completes the older Luke Skywalker. Just wonderful.

Luke and Leia reunitedCourtesy of Lucasfilm Ltd.

As a fan of the Star Wars saga since the beginning, I’m picky but I left the film both entertained and emotionally a bit wrecked. The filmmakers succeed beautifully in preparing us for the end of this trilogy. By the end of the film, we indeed do have a “new hope”. The light saber has been successfully passed to a new generation.  We’re going five stars.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi Movie Rating: 

Star Wars: The Last Jedi PosterCourtesy of Lucasfilm Ltd.

See Star Wars: The Last Jedi in theaters now!

Have Your Say

Are you running to the nearest theater to see this excellent film? Which side of the Force would you pick? Are you emotionally attached to the Star Wars saga or couldn’t care less? Let us know with a comment below.