Literally the Smartest Franchise Movie Ever Created

Rating: 10/10 (6 January 2018)

What an actual gem. In a sea of cardboard cutout plots and character, scenes obvious created with the sole and utter focus on action as opposed to meaning, and cheap reaction-grabbers in place of depth and interiority, The Last Jedi truly stands out. In what other blockbuster, mainstream film could you find this kind of complexity, metanarrativity, intensely thought out story and plot, and beautiful, rounded development of character and relationships? If it sounds like I'm gushing at maximum sap levels, it's because I am. Somehow this movie manages to convey deeply powerful and nuanced ideas with both clarity and subtlety simultaneously. The exploration of grey morality, individualism vs. affiliation, failure, hope, love, moving on from the past, and other important themes is so incredibly well done - I can hardly believe this is a big-buck movie. This felt more like a fairy tale than anything, with the same painstakingly executed symbolism and Bildungsroman elements, not to mention the gorgeous romance of it all. Already I'm finding so many more clever little layers the more I watch this, and that's the kind of film you know is a great one. A+++ job, Rian and crew!