{"id":1396,"date":"2017-12-12T20:21:19","date_gmt":"2017-12-12T19:21:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.senses.se\/en\/review-star-wars-the-last-jedi\/"},"modified":"2025-05-09T13:41:09","modified_gmt":"2025-05-09T11:41:09","slug":"review-star-wars-the-last-jedi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.senses.se\/en\/review-star-wars-the-last-jedi\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: Star Wars \u2013 The Last Jedi"},"content":{"rendered":"

The wait is over. The continuation of the Skywalker<\/strong> family’s epic saga has arrived, making a significant impact. I won’t detail the plot; the truly remarkable aspect is the immersive experience of traveling to a galaxy far, far away, a long, long time ago.<\/p>\n

Upon viewing The Force Awakens<\/strong>, I was moved by its sheer brilliance. Specifically, when Rey<\/strong> utilizes the Force to retrieve Luke’s Lightsaber, and again during a poignant moment between a father and son (spoiler-free!). Episode VIII, The Last Jedi<\/strong>, featured moments of such intense engagement that I was left breathless, tears welling, and momentarily forgetting to breathe. It had been a considerable time since I was so thoroughly captivated in a movie theater.<\/p>\n

Rian Johnson<\/strong> displayed considerable vision, not only in taking on the directorial role but also in challenging Lawrence Kasdan’s<\/strong> original script and advocating for a rewrite. Johnson’s script presents a narrative unlike anything previously seen in Star Wars<\/em>, yet simultaneously embodies the essence of what makes the franchise so compelling; the world-building is exceptional. The Force Awakens,<\/em> which I enjoyed, is eclipsed by the brilliance of The Last Jedi<\/em>. It’s understandable that Rian Johnson was entrusted with the creation of an entirely new, original trilogy.<\/p>\n

Daisy Ridley’s<\/strong> portrayal of Rey<\/strong> continues to impress; she undeniably assumes an even more prominent and pivotal role this time. Her strength and warmth are infectious, captivating the audience. Carrie Fisher<\/strong> (RIP: 1956-2016) delivers her final performance here, and it’s a truly memorable farewell. We encounter a more seasoned Leia, and she features in some of the film’s most compelling scenes. Adam Driver’s<\/strong> Kylo Ren<\/strong> is a standout character. Despite being the designated villain, he evokes empathy. Driver’s skillful acting prevents the character from becoming a caricature, maintaining a remarkable balance.<\/p>\n

In The Force Awakens, the search for Luke Skywalker was central to the narrative, culminating in a silent encounter. In this film, the writers have successfully reintroduced Luke, allowing the audience to reconnect with the character. The handling of Luke’s character could have easily been mishandled, requiring a delicate balance. Rian Johnson succeeds admirably. Mark Hamill delivers a career-defining performance, eliciting strong emotional responses.<\/p>\n

Regarding the supporting roles, Oscar Isaac’s Poe Dameron<\/strong> retains his characteristic boldness, but the script intelligently avoids caricature. John Boyega<\/strong> demonstrates significant growth, assuming even greater responsibility in this installment compared to his central role in Episode VII.<\/p>\n

Benicio Del Toro,<\/strong> initially considered for the role of Darth Maul<\/strong> before his lines were removed by George Lucas<\/strong>, makes a brief appearance as an eccentric character. Laura Dern<\/strong> delivers a significant supporting performance, and Domhnall Gleeson<\/strong> is excellent as General Hux. Also noteworthy is Kelly Marie Tran<\/strong> in an important supporting role.<\/p>\n

Having expressed considerable enthusiasm and perhaps set expectations high, are there any shortcomings? The primary issue lies in some instances of unnecessary CGI. The production design features extensive practical sets and numerous characters in practical masks, a welcome departure from excessive CGI. While the use of CGI for Snoke (Andy Serkis)<\/strong> is understandable, the complete digitalization of his character, including his attire, is questionable. While practical effects might not fully realize the face and head, his clothing and body could have been represented practically, given his humanoid physique. The film incorporates humor, although in a few instances it feels somewhat forced. Due to spoiler considerations, I cannot elaborate on a few other minor issues.<\/p>\n

In conclusion, The Last Jedi<\/em> provided the cinematic experience I had anticipated and hoped for<\/a> when I first sat in a cinema in August 1999, only to be disappointed by The Phantom Menace<\/strong>. It took over 18 years for The Last Jedi<\/em> to deliver that experience, and it was well worth the wait.<\/p>\n