The Force is Still Strong in "The Last Jedi"

Rating: 8/10 (15 December 2017)

Well, usually I like to give my usual speech about the film, but I don't want anyone to think I'll spoil anything, so I might as well jump into my thoughts on one of the biggest films of 2017, Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
So the film takes place shorty after The Force Awakens, and Rey has found Luke Skywalker, who has abandoned himself to a remote island. Meanwhile, The First Order is closing in on the Resistance and Kylo Ren's emotional conflict grows even stronger under Snoke's command.
One thing i really enjoyed is the original cast Mark Hamil and Carrie Fisher really deliver some great performances in their respective roles. You feel the sense they have both gone through some tough experiences over this time and it weighs on their roles well. I was a defender of Kylo Ren's inexperience in The Force Awakens and i feel it's paying off as his conflict makes him more interesting to watch as a villain to see where he goes. And there are some really rousing and exciting space fights and lightsaber battles throughout this movie with some great cinematography to compliment the action.
As time progresses, i did notice that the film does rely on humor that comes in at the wrong time at points in the midst of a big moment. Also, there is a subplot that involves Finn and Rose that just isn't sharply written enough to buy into, and becomes hard to be invested despite the film giving it a lot of time on screen. And there's one scene.... I don't want to go to detail, but I'll just simply say "I have so many questions!"
Star Wars: The Last Jedi shows it's not afraid to take some risks with well beloved characters. The action is still fun and more refined, and is able to keep you curious for the future. It does have some narrative flaws, but the force is still strong with this one.
PS: to anyone complaining that Disney wanted to put jokes in this film to be "kid-friendly", just remember Return of the Jedi and The Phantom Menace were considered kid friendly at the time also, and we've never really seen a really dark Star Wars movie and probably never will.