The best in the saga: a defence of ‘Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi’

From Disney+ and Lucasfilm Ltd.

Hello! I hope, whoever and wherever you are, you’re having a most beautiful day and that you’re staying sane inside amidst the chaos of COVID-19. For those who are still working, I hope you are safe and well. It’s safe to say that Episode VIII is one of the most controversial movies in the franchise. Though, where Attack of the Clones deserved a lot of criticism, The Last Jedi falls under the Phantom Menace side of “this movie deserves so much more respect”. Strap yourselves in, folks, because I’m about to explain why Episode VIII is the very best Star Wars film in the saga.

But where to begin? We could start with the fact that this film did what Episode II should have done, and what Episode V is perhaps most famous for: taking its trilogy in a new and unforeseen direction. Yet here, when writer/director Rian Johnson does it, so many fans absolutely rioted. Rioted, I say! How hard they were crying for something different after The Force Awakens, the A New Hope redux! Still, I don’t think it’s the best idea to think too long on the general nature of the Star Wars fandom, especially as that will be talked more upon next week when I review Episode IX. The point of this beginning is to say that Episode VIII offered us perhaps the most original Star Wars film since Episode IV. It truly exemplified the potential the New Trilogy has before it, and for that alone, I cannot fault it. Is The Last Jedi perfect? No, but nothing is. All the same, let’s continue!

The characters again carry this film. We have Episode VII’s new heroes and villains again taking centre stage. Finn is expanded upon, showing substantial growth as he revisits his urges to run – only to find the hero in him, almost sacrificing his life in the process (more on that moment later). He became far more three-dimensional, proving a capable and dedicated figure of the New Republic come the credits. Poe was an intriguing character to watch unfold, making some distinctly bad choices under false heroic pretences. It’s only really during a second viewing that I realised just how dangerous an asset he proved for much of The Last Jedi. Yet it is with the mentoring of General Leia Solo and Admiral Holdo (played fabulously by Laura Dern) that we see him mature, at last learning the real burden and responsibility of leadership. We see the makings of a hero worthy of respect, though all of this is again aided by Oscar Isaac’s charming performance. Yet it is with Poe and Finn that I find my biggest disappointment with this film, the one leap Disney apparently still isn’t ready to make: a primary LGBTQ+ relationship. It is written everywhere that these two clearly have something, aided by the sheer chemistry Isaac and John Boyega share. Am I surprised they didn’t go for it? No; and indeed, I’m more disappointed in my lack of surprise than I was disappointed by the film’s choice. But they didn’t leave nothing in its place.

No, they placed a character to stand as Finn’s love interest: young and spirited Rose, who I am unfathomably conflicted about. Is she the most in-depth character the movie presents us? Nope. Am I able to see past the fact that one of her primary functions in this film is to be a love interest to Finn, instead of Poe? Not as much as I’d like, I’ll concede. Through my frustrations, I am alas biased against her character. Which is why I’ll move on to Supreme Leader Snoke. Now, some of you may have realised that I said nothing about him in my Episode VII review. That is because he was such a nothing character that I didn’t really have anything to say. Here, we see more of him, but there’s just so little reason to take an interest in his character beyond his knowledge of Luke and co. So, when he’s killed off suddenly, I was kind of thankful. There are so many other interesting characters to spend my time liking and/or disliking. I did admittedly like how his death was handled, the misdirection the film takes all whilst giving Rey and Kylo Ren the moment their pairing was waiting for, that which the entire movie had built up to.

The bias is strong in me. Taken from Star Wars: The Last Jedi by Lucasfilm Ltd., cinematography by Steve Yedlin

Speaking of Rey and Kylo Ren, I’ll kick this part off by saying I genuinely adored this pairing in this film. The scene in the elevator before their encounter with Snoke gave me chills, there was so much chemistry. And indeed, their relationship throughout the movie is well-established, offering an overwhelmingly exciting dynamic for the saga’s final number. Kylo Ren is again conflicted, yet here, it’s been dialled up. His inability to kill his own mother reveals that he’s not entirely lost just yet, while his history with Luke Skywalker adds depths of understanding behind his actions. It’s obvious he wants to be good, making it all the sadder that he’s so twisted by the dark side. I want him to return to the light, to Rey’s side! Speaking of our plucky young Jedi, I cannot express just how happy I was with her character here. We see her desire to be good, her courage and her convictions, all paired with anger and frustration seeded from a notion of abandonment. Her development as she’s trained by Luke, discovers the true nature of her heritage, and becomes the Jedi the New Republic needs is crisply executed. But I want to focus on her past here for a second, because this is what I respected Johnson most for.

The theories were nigh insurmountable. Is Rey a Kenobi? A Solo? A Skywalker? Everyone assumed she came from some great line, and then… nothing. She came from nothing, from a pair of nobodies. I could have given you three dozen theories, and not one of them would have been better than this. She’s no Kenobi or Solo or Skywalker – she’s Rey, she is her own person, a true Jedi. Where she comes from doesn’t matter; only the future is of any import here. But what a plot twist, one of my favourites ever! Goodness, I wouldn’t be far from saying that the “truth” behind Rey’s heritage (I cannot believe I have to “” that, but I’m not even going to start on that front yet) is at least in the top three of reasons why I love The Last Jedi as much as I do.

I loved this so much. Taken from Star Wars: The Last Jedi by Lucasfilm Ltd., cinematography by Steve Yedlin

Meanwhile, the side characters are stepped up for the most part this time ‘round. Though Captain Phasma is now comfortably in the Fett pile, and neither-hero-nor-villain DJ is something of a “meh” character, we have Admiral Holdo who proves a genuine hero – someone worth idolising. BB-8 is still awesome, as are all the featuring droids (though BB definitely gets the spotlight here). Chewbacca made everyone jealous, I think, with the cute little porgs – the second-cutest critters in the galaxy – all while saving the heroes yet again with the Falcon. Leia proved just as worthy a mentor and leader as ever, all the while finally and properly showing her powers. Would I have written such a reveal in precisely the same way? I don’t know, honestly. There’s very little wrong with this film, and I’m not that bothered by the nature of her use of the force. If anything, it’s about time!

Quick PS. A moment of silence for the great Admiral Ackbar. And with that…

Luke! This is where you should have kicked off! I appreciated seeing such complexity in one of film’s most beloved heroes, seeing his resolve broken so profoundly from his mistakes and regrets, only for him to be pulled back up both by Rey and by Yoda. Indeedy, we get one last visit from our little green friend, and in spectacular nature, too! Here, we’re reminded just why Yoda deserves all the respect, summoning lightning just to teach Luke his last lesson. Here, we see young Skywalker go on a journey of his own, going from grieving old man to a hero of legend, saving the New Republic and leaving the franchise in one of the most honourable and heart-warming ways possible. I would be lying if I said his reunion with Leia didn’t make me tear up a little. A great way to go for such an iconic character, having found his way home, ultimately departing with a particular view of two red suns. Awesome.

One of the most heart-warming moments in the saga. Taken from Star Wars: The Last Jedi by Lucasfilm Ltd., cinematography by Steve Yedlin

I’ll concede, the further into the franchise we go, the more characters I have to discuss. The more of anything I have to address. That, and here I shall place my honorary “the music is incredible and John Williams is a genius” part and continue henceforth!

So much of the story and plot are character-driven, and thus, I’ve already addressed much of it. The plot is about both Rey’s Dagobah sequence and the New Republic’s attempts to survive, the First Order bearing down as heavily as it is. That’s pretty much what the film is about, except it is bathed in a sea’s worth of story, the development of the main characters taking centre-stage. And for the most part, it’s done terrifically. I would argue that the Finn/Rose sequence is not up to the same standard as the rest of the film, and I do genuinely believe they either should have let Finn sacrifice himself and bring me entirely to tears, or not do it that way at all. It was a particular misdirection I didn’t wholly enjoy, and I still disagree with it now. That being said, they’re minor issues in comparison to my general enjoyment of the films. Most of all, though, one of the best parts of the story is the message it parades unparalleled: “Let the past die. The future is what matters.” For a Star Wars film, I couldn’t agree more.

Also, I don’t believe I’ve covered this element in any of my reviews, really, but the cinematography in The Last Jedi is the saga’s best. I say that not just because it’s well-executed, but because of one sequence: that of the main New Republic ship jumping to lightspeed through the First Order’s fleet. The breath in my lungs was practically punched out of me witnessing that, I was so awestruck. Genuinely, this is a beautiful film.

Just… wow. Taken from Star Wars: The Last Jedi by Lucasfilm Ltd., cinematography by Steve Yedlin

But what is Star Wars without the action? The choreography is better than in Episode VII, feeling less “they win because plot” and more “it’s actually well-constructed”. The various space dogfights are thrilling, with no moments feeling entirely excessive. My favourite of the dogfights is undoubtedly the final showdown with the AT-ATs and the laser battering ram. Fast-paced, edge of your seats… most of all, there’s reason to care about who wins or loses, and I think that can make even the blandest of fights feel like the best a series has to offer. Fortunately, not only do we care about the heroes, but the battles are great to watch. Especially so for me, the duel with Rey and Kylo Ren against the Praetorian Guard (the red knights) was a marvel. Granted, I can concede that it’s not the best-choreographed sequence in the franchise, but I was so excited that Rey and Kylo Ren were working together that I didn’t care. All in all, driven by emotion and character, a definite step up from Episode VII, though still not the best the saga has to offer.

Similarly, what would one of my reviews be if I didn’t dwell upon the dialogue? I previously rejoiced in the serious pick-up in quality as J.J. Abrams took over as primary screenwriter. Here, Johnson flexes his dialogue-writing muscles and not only adds a bit more humour into the feature, but shines a flashlight on the characters and gives them that much-needed growth regardless of whether they’re newbies or veterans. Indeed, a great script, even as the story stumbled here and there.

An all-too-welcome cameo I loved. Taken from Star Wars: The Last Jedi by Lucasfilm Ltd., cinematography by Steve Yedlin

Look, I’ll be honest. The only reason I can find for people disliking this film so much is because of how different it is. Of course, personal preference is entirely subjective, but I just don’t see how anyone could hate The Last Jedi beyond “it’s different”. The pacing is mostly consistent and fast, the writing is fantastic, the humour and charm and emotion is ever-present, the characters are magnificent, and the story is valiant. What’s not to love here?

But yeah, that’s what I got – that’s why I love The Last Jedi as much as I do, why I believe it’s the best instalment in the saga. And with that …

1. Episode VIII: The Last Jedi

2. Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

3. Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

4. Episode I: The Phantom Menace

5. Episode VII: The Force Awakens

6. Episode IV: A New Hope

7. Episode VI: Return of the Jedi

8. Episode II: Attack of the Clones

So there we go! There’s so much good in this film, but I’m genuinely eager to hear other people’s reasons for either liking or disliking Episode VIII. Let me know in the comments!

But that’s all from me today. Now, instead of seeing you lovely people on Tuesday, my review of Rise of Skywalker will be next Friday — one week from now. With all my thoughts on that number, our grand finale for the Skywalker Saga, I hope a week will suffice in preparing myself. I won’t lie, that review will likely be my longest of all nine. All the same, thank you for reading, and I hope you have a most beautiful day!

— Charis.