"This is not going to go the way you think" -Luke Skywalker

Rating: 9/10 (18 December 2017)

The movie is an astonishing echo of the words spoken by the Jedi master. Over the last days I've seen something that has really bewildered me. A gap in the Star Wars community that has really left me in awe. In all my time as a Star Wars fan I've never seen such a split reaction to anything in the franchise. So just so you are aware, I adore Star Wars so take my opinions on the film with that in mind.
Star Wars the last Jedi is a grade A film, period. The reasons why the community is so split are honestly beyond me. The film is as original as can be and takes risks never before seen in the saga, some of these risks have sparked the ongoing feuds in the community. But without getting into spoilers, the film expands on the rich lore and mythology of the galaxy we were first introduced to over 40 years ago. The idea of taking risks like these is something that Rian Johnson embraced fully as we embark on a story that is unexpected but right.
It is not what you might have wanted at first but by the end the story turns into what you didn't know you needed. Developing characters like Rey and Kylo Ren even more so than in TFA. We also get major screen-time from Luke, Leia and Poe who were limited to smaller roles in the prior installment.
This brings me to my next topic and that is Carrie Fisher, wow. It was hard watching her on screen after her untimely passing, but the way she was handled in this film is truly beautiful. She was also excellent in the film, much better than in TFA where her acting was a bit on the rusty side.
Andy Serkis is memorizing, frightening and menacing as Snoke and gives an excellent performance alongside Adam Driver as Kylo Ren. Who peels back the layers of his character making him one of the most relatable and complex villains in all of the saga. Overall the acting is on point and no single performance is flat or dull.
Finally the direction by Rian Johnson is memorizing as he injects his persona into the heart and soul of this film. Flashy but full of heart and emotion and littered with moments of jaw dropping events that stack up against the best of the saga.
And if I had one complaint with the film it would be a certain story arc that really detracts from those other moments in the film. It bogs the pacing down to a halt as we take a detour from the main plot of the film and are left wondering why was the subplot added in the first place.
Having said that The Last Jedi is a great film, full of moments that hold up against the original trilogy. Everything from the action, development, cinematography and direction was immaculate and is some of the best in the saga. The film wasn't perfect though as a subplot in the film slows the pacing and takes our focus away from the overall plot, however it is still a dang great film. I would put it over TFA and RO and just over Return of the Jedi as number three in my list. I believe that the community is giving it unfair hate, but that is to be expected. However don't let them decide, go out there and see it for yourself and maybe you'll love it as much as I did.
Final Score 9/10