‘The Last Jedi’ keeps ‘Star Wars’ sky-high
For those who worry that the “Star Wars” franchise never will again produce something on the order of the rst thrilling films, there’s good news: “The Last Jedi” sure comes close.
Of course, after 40 years, we know so much about the series that it never can be a novelty on quite the same level again, but here’s to writer-director Rian Johnson (“Brick”) for being smart enough to incorporate cherished “Star Wars“themes while beeng up newer characters that were introduced by ”The Force Awakens.“
One of those characters provides a major plot line of “The Last Jedi,” as Rey – played again by Daisy Ridley – wants to learn the Jedi ways from the rediscovered Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill, of course), just as he did from Yoda. at’s the story that really has the most impact here, though John Boyega as Finn and Oscar Isaac as Poe Dameron also are back and largely get their own tales. Though it’s a tad disappointing at rst that they’re all separated this time, it’s clever from a series development standpoint in setting things up for the future. Each of them is eshed out in a way that probably wouldn’t be possible if they were on the same exact turf again; such a set-up has precedence in the “Star Wars” canon, with early sequences of “The Empire Strikes Back” also standing out in that way.
Still, there is enough of the past here, too. at applies very specically in the case of the late Carrie Fisher, whose appearance is bittersweet, given the knowledge that this is the last of her performances as princess turned general Leia.
It’s just one example of the emotion that is quite present in “The Last Jedi,” automatically separating this chapter from many others in the franchise. And it’s also what made it a wise decision to put fresh eyes on it, namely Johnson’s. Certainly, it’s a gamble to place the tried and true in dierent hands, as was the situation with J.J. Abrams on “The Force Awakens.” Some devotees felt he played it too safe, but Johnson is willing to take big leaps forward. Not only should he be applauded, but so should Disney and Lucas Film Ltd., since they also had to sign off and hold their collective breath when it came to tinkering with the “family recipe.” The payoff has proven to be worth it.