The flaws awaken.

Rating: 7/10 (19 December 2017)

Star Wars: The Last Jedi
It's very important that we learn to form our own opinions and not just get them from the Internet! I got that saying from...well the internet actually.
I've decided to tweak this review because I feel that several months on this film has received a lot of hate. Some of the opinions I actually agree with. So here goes for nothing.
On release day of the Force Awakens I sat in my cinema seat with a level of excitement and anticipation similar to that of a small child on Christmas morning.
I loved every second of J.J. Abrams take on the Star Wars universe.
I even reviewed the movie on IMDB giving it a score of 10/10.
It was only weeks later when my pea sized brain finally realised
"Hey wait a minute, they've had our pants down here!"
"The Force Awakens is just a loose retelling of the original Star Wars movie!" I exclaimed.
Never mind, I forgive you J.J. because what you gave us was a nostalgic trip down memory lane. A transportation back to our childhood.
However with the Last Jedi, I want more than just a modern retread of The Empire Strikes Back.
No sir you guys at Disney aren't tricking me twice.
Even George with his crap prequels did strive to give us something original.
So what director Rian Johnson has created with The Last Jedi is thankfully an original film that still manages to take just enough inspiration from what has gone before without being a carbonite copy.
It's certainly not a perfect movie but if we first start with the good then we do have a lot to talk about.
Johnson's film is beautifully shot and looks stunning from the very first scene. It's an exciting movie too. With some real edge of the seat moments.
Memorable set pieces that will have children reimagining them in school playgrounds for years to come.
I'm not going to go into plot or talk too much about storyline.
This movie is best experienced with little knowledge going into it. Whatever you think you are going to see in continuation from Episode VII you will be totally surprised.
That's perhaps Johnson's greatest accomplishment with his movie.
It's also been his demise. My mother used to say "You can't please all of the people all of the time!"
Here Johnson has alienated certain SW fans because of his treatment of the character Luke Skywalker. Sure I wasn't a fan of the direction that he took the character in but I do see why Luke would act and become the person he has.
The path Abrams sent us down in The Force Awakens is taken in a direction that is completely unexpected.
The slate is almost wiped clean by the time credits roll making The Last Jedi feel more like the end of a trilogy, rather than being the middle section.
Once again this is jarring for hardcore fans. But come on guys.
Many fans critisesed Abrams film upon release and now there's unnecessary hatred bestowed upon this instalment. Like Mum used to say there simply is no pleasing everyone.
I don't know if Johnson has made such drastic U turns intentionally with a devious smile knowing J.J. Abrams will now have to pick up where he has left the Star Wars universe.
How J.J. will carry the saga forward and give us an actual real conclusion is going to be rather interesting to see.
Performances from everyone are fantastic, particularly Mark Hamill returning as Jedi Luke Skywalker. He may be a little jaded in real life due to the treatment of his character but he throws his all into his performance.
Daisy Ridley has grown into the role of Rey but it is perhaps Adam Driver as Kylo Ren or Ben Solo if your prefer that really steals the show.
There's a fitting tribute to Carrie Fisher, how they will carry the story forward without her raises further questions.
Oscar Issac as Poe Dameron gets much more to do this time around.
The movies opening spectacle proves he is every bit the X wing pilot we believe him to be.
Laura Dern makes her Star Wars deput as rebel leader Vice Admiral Holdo and it's obvious she's loving every minute of it.
So let's talk more about the bad.
Sadly it's John Boyega's return as Finn that's the most underwhelming.
His story arc with newcomer Rose played by Kelly Marie Tran takes them both off on a mission that proves fruitless and causes the middle part of the movie to sag.
This is by no means a criticism to Boyega or Tran. John Boyega is a superb actor and one of the best things about the new franchise. Frustrating then that he isn't used to better effect in this episode.
The character of Rose seems forced and unnecessary. Almost as if she is no more than just a sidekick to Finn to accompany him on his pointless trip.
Another disappointment is obviously Supreme leader Snoke. When I say obviously.
I'll just let you watch the movie and then you'll see why.
I'm a little torn by some of Johnson's choices but ultimately I still fully enjoyed this movie because it took me aback.
Part of me wants to applaud Johnson for his bold choices. The other part of me wants to Force choke him for changing the way I have viewed my Star Wars heroes since being a child and also for the path he takes them down.
It isn't just the unexpected that is jarring. A particular scene involving Lea and an explosion just doesn't work for me. You'll know when you see it. Think Mary Poppins in space!
This nearly ruined the movie for me.
I was a little underwhelmed with Luke's climatic scene too.
After all we never even saw him in Episode VII. So I wanted more from him.
I wanted to see him do some awesome Jedi stuff. Maybe pick up an AT-AT or crash a Star Destroyer by using the Force.
Still there's a wonderful wide shot with both Kylo and Luke as they stand off like two gunslingers from the Wild West.
When I first viewed this film I admit that I got caught up in the moment and gave this movie a perfect score. With time to reflect and taking onboard some of those valid points that are plastered all over the internet I have to agree there has been too many liberties taken with our beloved characters and galaxy far far away.
I really am torn with this movie.
Part of me loves this. The other part of me is disappointed.
Mainly I am annoyed by the way Luke's character has been treated.
He's a hero for an entire generation of Star Wars fans. Fans who grew up with the original trilogy.
Like Han Solo's character Disney have treated Luke Skywalker with absolutely no respect!
Not a good idea guys!