Will Create Internal Conflict Akin To The Pull Of The Dark Side

Rating: 7/10 (13 April 2020)

I will say one thing for this movie - it will cause conflict within you which will mimic that of a Jedi tempted by the dark side and a viewing of The Rise of Skywalker and reevaluation of The Force Awakens will only perpetuate this. I left the theater happy with TLJ but over time developed more and more issues with it and its arc with Luke. But after watching the heartless shell which was TROS and then reevaluating TFA with this considered I've finally come to think of TLJ as the only one of the new franchise which actually took any risk or spent any time on Luke. whether you're crazy about the portrayal of Luke in the first half or not this movie did spend time with him and allow him to shine bright in the end. I think as years go by this movie will gain traction and come to be appreciated more when compared to the slightly cheesy TFA and the emotionally void TROS. TFA is a fine movie but but even the scenes with the old characters feel a little forced. Love it or hate it TLJ took risks, pushed the envelope and ACTUALLY spotlighted a Skywalker rather than using his as passing fan service. That said I am no fan of Johnson and the many times his ego has shined through in interviews. You DO NOT EVER interrupt or contradict Mark Hamill - the man is the one and only Luke and no one has yet had the nerve to recast him in some one off Skywalker movie. But on that same note Johnson is the only one who let Luke shine on screen for longer than five minutes! The Mandalorian is the future of Star Wars for me but force to pick a favorite from the new trilogy I might have to stir some controversy into that pot and pick TLJ.