A force to be reckoned with
SPECTACLE: A TRIUMPHANT STAR WARS ADDITION
An unmissable film to end the year.
The first Star Wars film (A New Hope) was released in 1977. Fourty years later the Star Wars universe has not lost any of its innovation, I’d go as far as to say the formula has only improved with age. Star Wars is no longer merely space opera, there are messages about freedom, governments blitzed together with unbelievable CGI, mindblowing action and the most satisfying way to end the year in a movie theatre.
If you’re already a fan of the franchise, you probably have your lightsaber charged for opening day, if you’re not, what has made 2015’s The Force Awakens and The
Last Jedi so fascinating is that it can no longer be considered as just a sci-fi film – instead they are mass-appeal cinematic spectacles – full of story, full of confrontation, full of hope, full of eye-popping visuals.
There’s not a moment of the experience that’s not rich and inspiring. New director Rian Johnson really aced leading one of the biggest film franchises in the world for its latest instalment – and boy did he deliver. Starting where The Force
Awakens ended, The Last Jedi sees Luke Skywalker start to worry about Rey’s immense control of the Force at his isolated island home Ahch-To. At the same time, Rey and Kylo Ren develop a psychic connection – even though they’re planets apart, with the ultimate exploration of good against evil.
While Rey grapples with her new-found power the New Order has developed the ability to track their forces with hyperspace jumps. Finn and newcomer Rose sets off to help the resistance counteract this powerful ability. Of course there is plenty of battles, thrilling planets and adorable Porg, little puffin-like animals that inhabit Ahch-To. Each character, new and established is also given fantastic screen time, which leads you to cheer for the heroes, disagree with the villains all while taking immersive rides through space.
But before you think it’s all new, it’s not. From the Millenium Falcon to the Kylo Ren’s thrown room – everything from The Force
Awakens fits beautifully in this exciting spectacle. The important thing about
Star Wars, especially right now, is that it’s about power and how easily it can corrupt you – giving it a human side that will always have its audience.
The film is also dedicated to Carrie Fisher who died this year. Fisher keeps her role as Leia Organa, and each scene with her feels special and elevated. Those strong emotional ties are why The Last Jedi is not only one of the best
Star Wars films, it’s an exceptional movie. Period. Go enjoy every second in a galaxy far, far, away.
GET TO KNOW THE LAST JEDI
This weekend is the perfect opportunity to join Rey, Luke and Finn. Star Wars: The Last Jedi is releasing on all cinematic platforms, but 4DX is celebrating their second anniversary in South Africa by screening the space saga at 4DX theatres across the country. The release of the sequel promises to take cinemagoers on a movie experience like no other with the next-generation 4DX format. Find 4DX at Nu Metro V&A Waterfront (Cape Town), The Pavilion (Durban), Menlyn Park (Pretoria), Hyde Park Corner (Johannesburg), Emperors Palace (Kempton Park) and the recently opened Cornubia Mall (Umhlanga). Ster-Kinekor is coinciding the release of The Last Jedi with a D-BOX collaboration. Movie-goers have the opportunity to watch IT at Gateway in Durban, Cavendish in Cape Town, Mall of Africa in Midrand and The Zone in Rosebank.