Jeri Jacquin
What can be said about STAR WARS: The Last Jedi other than
Christmas came early for me. From writer/director Rian Johnson based on
characters created by George Lucas and Walt Disney Studios comes the next
installment on this epic adventure.
Rey (Daisy Ridley) and Chewbacca (Joonas Suotamo) has found
Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) on a remote island and is trying to convince him
to help the Rebellion once again. General Leia (Carrie Fisher) is being
followed after their attack on General Hux (Domhnall Gleeson) and Kylo Ren
(Adam Driver) with one goal, to destroy what is left of the rebel fighters on
orders from Supreme Leader Snoke (Andy Serkis).
Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) and Finn (John Boyega) must find a
way to save the last of the fighters. Learning they are being tracked, Poe and
Finn must find someone who can help them. Rey isn’t having much luck either
with Luke as he has makes it clear that he is staying right where he is. As the
two get to know one another, Rey feels a mysterious connection to Kylo Ren and
Luke sees it as well.
Finn meets Rose (Kelly Marie Tran) who sees him as a hero
for the cause. Wanting to help she discovers that there is much more to being a
fighter than she realized. Up against Kylo Ren, General Hux and Captain Phasma
(Gwendoline Christie), the minutes are ticking away to save what is left of the
rebel fleet.
Once again a brother and sister face their fate, friends
rely on one another and the force is there for them all!
If you were looking for spoilers than you came to the wrong
writer. There is no way in hades that I am or even thought of giving anything
away. Of course the above description of the film is generic but with the
disaster of last years leaks I will not be responsible for any of it.
That being said, this is the STAR WARS fans have always
loved. For me, well, I was giddy the moment the music cued and the scrolling of
the yellow words upward into space began. From that moment on I was riveted and
thrilled to once again to be in the galaxy far, far away.
Ridley as Rey takes on her next challenge which is to learn
from Jedi Master Luke Skywalker. Discovering that the process is the balance of
mental and physical, she gets to add the grumblings of an island hermit. It has
taken me some getting use to the character of Rey but with this film she is
definitely cementing her place in the Star Wars franchise.
Driver as Kylo Ren is going through serious intensity in
this chapter of the saga. Driver has the ability to show nothing and yet
everything about what his character is going through. Still dealing with the
death of his father, his confusion about Rey is apparent.
Boyega as Finn still feels the sense of responsibility for
Rey and isn’t about to let anyone stop him. Now he has the chance to once again
pair up with Poe as they put their plan for the rag tag left over fleet into
action. Isaac as Poe is hard headed and strong willed. He wants to jump in
first and not think through the consequences. The good news is that General
Leia sort of has a soft spot for him.
Tran as Rose is the newest fighter for the rebellion and
although not trained she fits right into the gang. Christie as Captain Phasma
seems to have one goal – to get her hands on Finn. I just love Christie in this
role because it feels like the bad side of Brianne of Tarth.
Gleeson as General Hux just wants to destroy everything in
the name of Supreme Leader Snoke and don’t think for one second he and Kylo Ren
are going to be bffs! Speaking of the Supreme Leader, Serkis once again lends
his voice to a twisted character with facial problems.
Now, onto my two beloved characters of Luke Skywalker and
General Leia. Mark Hamill has a scene in this film that reminds me of why I
fell so hard for this franchise and the character of Luke Skywalker. Everyone
will know it when they see it because it is stunningly beautiful and moving
bringing back every emotion felt in 1977. Hamill’s return is such a joy for me
and seeing him just as aged as myself is fun and nostalgic at the same time.
Fisher as Princess/General Leia is wonderful and still a
wound in my heart. As Leia she has always been a strong and, pardon the pun, a
force to be reckoned with. Making decisions to save what is left of the
rebellion means sacrifice and courage which is everything Leia has stood for.
Fisher has given us an iconic character that will last forever and anyone who
wants to challenge me on this need just bring your light saber and we’ll duel
it out in her honor.
Other cast include Laura Dern as Vice Admiral Holdo, Benicio
Del Toro as DJ, Justin Theroux as Slicer, Lupita Nyong’o as Maz Kanata, Anthony
Daniels as C-3PO, Jimmy Vee as R2-D2, Tim Rose as Admiral Ackbar, and Billie
Lourd as Lt. Connix.
That is all anyone is getting from me for now. In a few
weeks after everyone has had the chance to see the film then I’d be more than
willing to discuss more about how I feel. There is so much to experience with
this film and it doesn’t disappoint in the slightest.
Of course there was concern by fans that the world
re-created by J.J. Abrams might be a problem for director Rian Johnson. There
isn’t a moment’s concern for me as the cinematograph captures the world we have
all come to know. The recognizable music never lets the audience forget where
they are – as if it could.
The next installment is too far away for fans yet there are
other stories that will be told about the world created by George Lucas.
Keeping with the theme of Star Wars, the characters are jumping to light speed
with their destinies and we are all just willingly along for the ride.
In case you are at all wondering, I will be seeing STAR
WARS: The Last Jedi more than a few times! Get the popcorn ready because there
will always be a seat with my name on it in any theatre I walk into. Gather up
a crowd and join in the experience that has captured generations.
In the end – the force is with them all!
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