Monday 18 December 2017

THE LAST JEDI

REVIEWS NO-ONE ASKED FOR
by Ashton Brown

Image result for the last jedi


THE LAST JEDI

written & directed by RIAN JOHNSON

SPOILER FREE REVIEW.

Angry fans. Delighted critics. Online arguments. Opinions presented as facts. Ah the internet. Home of the movie goers free expression. Verbal fights to the death. The Last Jedi, the latest installment in the Star Wars Universe, seems to be the most contentious film in the series to date. Having received huge critical praise but also backlash from the loudest fans has left it as one of the most dividing films in the series.

Cinematically the film is an absolute delight. Combining all the aesthetics we love from the original trilogy, combining the humour with  the space opera and the drama, the characters, new and old, driving forward a story that seems huge in scope but is, at it's core, as simple as it has always been. Goodies vs Baddies. Dark vs Light. All the elements of strong storytelling are here. The heroes journey is ever present. The thing that stood out to me after my first viewing was how there was always so much going on. Despite being the longest film in the Saga to date - the film never  gets bogged down or lacks in pacing - I was never not invested. I did leave the first viewing feeling slightly overwhelmed at everything that was thrown at me. So many questions had been made and left unanswered. In fact it was hard for me to tell how much I enjoyed after the first viewing.

Second time around I was able to focus more - less like an overwhelmed Star Wars fan and more with a critical eye. Let me make myself absolutely clear. In no way is The Last Jedi a perfect film. It is flawed with frustrating gimmicks, Disney moments, cheese and more cheese and even a scene that the film could have done without. But I think it's also important that we remember that these have ALWAYS been part of Star Wars. The one liners, the silly characters, the odd moments that seem to be just for the kids (and inevitably the merchandise). This is continuing in the tradition that Lucas himself set up when he made A New Hope. They haven't changed the formula. Which is why I find it so bizarre how people are so cross at this film. It is the closest a film has come to capturing the feel of the original trilogy we have had since the original trilogy itself. It manages to drive the franchise forward for a new era whilst 100% honouring where it came from. Nostalgia is in full force but so is a focus on the future of the franchise and not just where it's come from.

The story is fun. It delves into the force and approaches it with fresh eyes. Johnson is a prolific storyteller. He raises questions, hints at answers but he also doesn't spell everything out to us. Even questions we had going into the film weren't necessarily answered which leaves a desire in us for more. More Star Wars. More answers. The point of the story teller is to entertain, to enthrall, to create a universe we are invested in, characters we care about. Lucas set this up brilliantly and this new trilogy is following in it's footsteps. Add to this some exceptional set pieces, some brilliant battles and classic Star Wars characterisation and you have what I believe to be an extremely fitting addition to the universe. Even moments when you think you have figured out exactly what is going to happen - the film twists in a new direction redefining what could be cliche moments as something unexpected.

So why the backlash from fans? I can't speak on behalf of all of them but I would like to suggest a couple of things - it is not ALL fans who dislike the film - just the loudest ones. It's low fan score on Rotten Tomatoes is because those who didn't get precisely what they wanted are the only ones who care enough to down vote it's online score. With a 93% critic score it has an overwhelming amount of support from those who's job it is to scrutinise the film . Don't believe the naysayers. But let go of what you want the film to answer. Just because you don't necessarily get the answers you want or the exact story-line you preconceived in your head doesn't mean you should view the film with such hostility that you convince yourself not to enjoy it. It's not a documentary people. It's a ridiculous space film. And it's bloody great.


4 out of 5  

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