Review of Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017) by Bob%20 J — 20 Dec 2017

An enjoyable follow-up to TFA that adds texture to the Star Wars universe that we haven't seen in a feature before. I did not love it, as I did TFA and Rogue One when I first saw them, but I really, really liked it, even when it did things with the material that I didn't expect or agree with.

Highlights: WW2 style bombing run; Poe being heroic, but learning much about leadership by the end of the film; some of the best dialogue since Empire; an interesting, character-based arc for Luke Skywalker, eschewing the temptation of one note fan service; one of the most compelling villains of sci fi in Kylo Ren; gripping use of force visions and astral connection & projection; some of the best space battles since RotJ and RotS; one of the best lightsaber battles since the prequels. Excellent use of a diverse cast.

Disappointments: unexplained force powers that stretch the bounds of audience engagement; unsatisfying arc for Snoke; much less myth-building and lore-delving than I wanted.

Still, a solid B+/A- movie. I didn't love it as much as many others did, but I don't really understand the hate. It's certainly better than any of the prequels, and possibly RotJ.