They're Wrong - It's a Thrilling, Mind-Blowing Delight

Rating: 10/10 (12 February 2018)

It took a while before it dawned upon me that there, shockingly, seems to be quite a number of folks out there not liking this and being loud about it. Which, apart from being incomprehensible, is just sad. So here's just a plea - never mind the haters and go make up your own mind about it, because you simply don't want to miss this. Here's why:
It's mind-blowing. It's beautiful. It's unexpected at every turn. And it's not just the best, most exhilarating ride out there - it aims for your heart and hits the mark.
When you go to see a new Star Wars movie, you have certain expectations. This one delivers - and then some. It's thrilling. It's visually fantastic. The story line is a delight to unravel. Its deliciously cheeky humour fits right in with the tone set in the original trilogy. Of course, John Williams is a genius, but we knew that already. The new genius in the game is Rian Johnson. It's easy to see that he's approached this gigantic project with love, respect, wit, a healthy dose of irreverence and then through it all that oh-so-tickling question: "What if...?" that can open so many unexpected doors. And the result is brilliant.
Like the last time around, this movie is recycling some familiar elements from the original three. But, unlike the last time around, this movie takes these and creates not just déjà vu, but something completely new, and then makes it take flight. My problem with The Force Awakens was that it felt more like a computed calculation of how to mix old ingredients in a seemingly new way, but they forgot to throw soul into the equation. The result felt surprisingly hollow. The few emotions it stirred were all linked to nostalgia and familiar characters. The interest it stirred for the newly introduced characters was lukewarm at best, and the new epic conflict stirred none at all.
Enter The Last Jedi. And suddenly I'm all wide-eyed wonder. Each time I think I can see what's coming next the proverbial rug gets pulled from under my feet and I come crashing down with all my theories and a thrilling sensation. It's truly a rare treat to watch a story that manages to be so unpredictable at every single turn. Not to mention that it manages to blow your mind several times over. The fingertip scene is my Movie Moment of the Decade - haven't been so mind-blown in ages. And it keeps it up right until the conclusion.
Above all, this movie has heart. It makes me care for the people on screen. I find my formerly lukewarm interest for the new characters replaced by fascination. Obviously, character development is easier to achieve when you're already acquainted - but I wasn't quite prepared for this. The dynamics that develop between Rey and Kylo/Ben are among the most intriguing things in the saga yet. And as for Luke, I wholly agree with how Johnson developed his character - it feels logical and right.
So, simply put, I fell for this movie - hook, line and sinker. It was everything I hoped it would be, and more. There's this mindboggling moment somewhere in the middle where you realize that absolutely anything can happen. And it's a fantastic feeling when you know that you are in safe hands. And that's exactly what you are with a director like Rian Johnson. All in all, it's a delight.
Go see it. Now.