A different Star Wars film, but a SW film nonetheless.

Rating: 10/10 (18 December 2017)

This analysis comes in response to the myriad of reviews here that are bashing the film. And while everyone is entitled to an opinion, I've found the majority of them unsatisfying, in that they barely provide any arguments to support their light critique. It seems that most of these reviewers are content in simply saying that the movie failed to meet their expectations and destroyed a legacy 40 years in the making.
I, myself, had great expectations when it comes to The Last Jedi, and oddly enough the film managed to not only meet them, but exceed them in some instances as well.
Ryan Johnson has created perhaps the darkest film in the saga, and character deaths have no bearing here. If the darkest film was decided by character deaths, then that laurel would easily go to Rogue One. No, The Last Jedi can be considered dark in great part due to its narrative approach. It is a thematically different film from all the rest - it does away with the duality between good and evil with which we have grown accustomed. It dares to question the legitimacy of established characters, and sets out to demystify the legends that have come to surround some of our favorite characters. This can mainly be seen in Luke, a recluse now, who has grown disillusioned with the Jedi and their dogmatic ways - grown weary by the ramifications of his actions. His struggles along the years and the restoration of the Jedi order have wrought nothing but misery on him and his students, and so he comes to question the validity of the Jedi teachings, and whether they should truly be so absolute. His adherence to the tenants of this religion, coupled with his fear of the darkness growing with Kylo, leads him to consider a drastic course of action - even if it is but a fleeting thought. He is, of course, redeemed in the end, and his character arc comes full circle in a subtle yet engrossing show of force use that saves the remnant resistance.
Kylo Ren, himself, is a much more dynamic character here when compared to how he appeared in The Force Awakens. His conflicted nature comes into play again, yet it seems to be much more subtle in The Last Jedi, and Adam Driver does a fabulous job at portraying a tortured soul driven by ambition. His burden is perhaps the heaviest of all to bear. Torn between the colossal expectations that come with being Vader's heir (as well as the legacy behind his bloodline) and the tantalizing salvation which turning to the light side promises, Kylo treads constantly between these two extremes throughout a great part of the movie, keeping the viewer guessing at how this will all play out. Ironically enough, in the end, he does what Vader, for all his might, could not - he outwits his master and slays him effortlessly. In this, he is much more representative of the Old Republic Sith than his grandfather ever was. He takes on the mantle of supreme leader on his own terms. He unshackles himself both from the manipulative Snoke, as well as freeing himself from Vader's legacy; in the end, finally coming into his own - his ambition having bore fruit. 'Let the past die' - as the character would go on to say.
Rey's character comes in complete contrast to Kylo's. While both are driven by ambition, Kylo is a fatalist that aspires to free himself all elements of authority and the strain of Vader's legacy, while Rey is an idealist, looking up to legends such as Luke - humbly dreaming of coming into her own, and discovering the catalyst for her newfound abilities. Arguably the most significant aspect of her character arc comes into play on Snoke's ship, where after his death, the two main characters are interlocked in a short but poignant conversation. Kylo's words about her parentage act as a mirror. Much of what drove Rey onward was the potential promise of her own legacy, yet when Kylo demystifies her origins, she is left momentarily broken, her ego shattered - her character shaken to the core, only to be renewed by a newfound strength. Her keenness in the force owes not to any grandiose lineage, but for her own willpower that has carried her so far. In the end, she comes from nothing, and that is what makes her mighty
Finn and Poe both have some pretty good character moments. Finn comes into his own alongside the newly established Rose. Their plot-line is arguably the weakest bit in the film, yet it ties quite well at the end of the film, especially the very last scene. Some would argue that their entire side-trip in Canto Bight could have been left out, and I'm somewhat inclined to agree - maybe not completely cut, but perhaps changed somewhat. As it stands, it is indeed on the weaker side of things.
Poe on the other hand has some brilliant moments peppered throughout the film's running time, and outside of the main characters, receives the most attention. He really comes into his own in this movie; from fly-boy, and best pilot in the resistance, all the way to assuming the mantle of leadership within the resistance. To that end, both Leia and Holdo instill in him a sense of wisdom to temper his brazen wit; in the process learning the value and cost of sacrifice, and at the same time, learning that martyrdom perhaps isn't always the best course of action. Both Finn and Poe come to understand this as their characters evolve alongside the main narrative.
There are, of course, other characters that get some pretty amazing moments - Leia has one in particular, wherein her force powers manifest in ways we haven't seen before; making us wonder if she is perhaps as equally gifted as Luke but untrained, and perhaps uninterested in the particulars of force. Acute force sensitivity is after all a known trait of the Skywalker lineage. With that in mind, the way she manifests the force gives full testament to the namesake.
A standout in this all is Andy Serkis as Snoke, who even though has limited screen time, simply dominates the three scenes he appears in. His back and forth with Rey is simply sublime, made all the while greater by a kind of inflection that the actor has mastered. And although he could have used more development (read: development, not background), he is a palpable threat to all his enemies (and his subordinates as well as it turns out). Some have argued that his death is atypical of a major villain, and yet, that is what Ryan does, he plays with viewer expectations, and turns cliches on their heads. Not everyone is bound to receive a ceremonious death, as this would only lessen the magnitude of some of the others.
When it comes to cinematography and special effects the film is beyond reproach. A visual treat, The Last Jedi showcases amazing locations, both CGI and real, that blend very well together. Even more impressive are the special effects, which are arguably the best yet seen in a Star Wars film, barring perhaps Rogue One. Here we have Poe's solo run along the fleet destroyer, showcasing maneuvers as we haven't seen since Battlestar Galactica. Of particular note is the moment when Holdo rams the resistance flagship into the First Order's armada, all while initiating Hyperspace. The scene drew gasps in the theater, and for good reason. As it stands, it is perhaps the most visually impressive scene/shot of its kind - across all sci fi films I've seen.
Music-wise, John Williams did not disappoint. While the music in TFA was a bit anemic, here the score compliments the action brilliantly, and greatly helps set the tone throughout the film. Beyond that, the sound effects supplement the visual effects harmoniously, and are on par with the best of the preceding movies.
I realize that I haven't touched on some subjects, missed some characters, and didn't approach all of the film's themes, however, I mainly wanted to cover the aspects that have been brought into question by others, and to create foundation that implies that his is a truly great film, and perhaps at the same time to champion the thought that we might very well have just witness the best Star Wars film yet. And yes - I'm including Empire Strikes Back here.
All in all, the film can be considered a deconstruction of the Star Wars mythos; from republic heroes, to jedi, to the absolutism of good and evil around which each of the previous films revolved - it's an intricate study case of what makes the films great. It does not set out to destroy the legacy, it simply questions the foundations which the narrative and the characters are built upon. Rey's realization that she comes from complete unknowns, yet is so in-tune with the force is the best example here. Wherein this newfound knowledge leads to the death of her ego, and it's beautifully juxtaposed again Kylo Ren's own legacy - which is significant. t's a pity that so many people not only don't appreciate how intricate and good this film is, but outright hate it; all because they can't see past their own expectations. They blame Force Awakens for being a copycat of A NewHope, and yet when a thematically different film comes along they bash it relentlessly. People have been asking for an Old Republic era SW film ever since the first KOTOR released back in 2003. Well this might be the closest we get to that prospect. While it does not take place in the same era, it very much deals with the thematic issues brought about within KOTOR and especially KOTOR2.
I for one can't wait to see what Ryan Johnson comes up with next in the newly announced trilogy, because as of now, he is my favorite Star Wars writer/director, and the only one seemingly bold enough to tackle the saga in a different yet poignant way.