The Last Jedi: A Star Wars Sequel?

Rating: 5/10 (7 January 2018)

Depending what you are looking for, The Last Jedi is not a bad film, but it is not a remarkable one either. It isn't like its predecessors. If you see the movie, try to think of it as an individual movie. If you can do that, you may enjoy it. And after you enjoy it, you can forget about it and not feel bad. This movie ends the epic feel of Star Wars, but provides entertainment value none the less.
Categories: action, fantasy, comedy, science fiction
Runtime: 2hr 32min
Rating: PG-13
(Note: I have attempted to make this review spoiler free. However, a small amount of foreshadowing does exist)

As a single film:
Story: The Last Jedi is a collection of three adequately told short stories that tie together in the end. Rey is reflecting on herself and trying to get support from Luke to stop the bad guy (a little drama). Finn and Rose are on trying to find someone who can help them sabotage the enemy ship (a little adventure). Poe and Leah are trying to escape the enemy ship (very little suspense). These three stories come together to give you a convenient ending. While I consider Finn and Rose's story the best of them, none of them really invest the viewer. Perhaps this is because they have to continuously jump between the three, or perhaps because none of are really that interesting.
Feel: The Last Jedi goes out of its way to deliver action to you in the form of space battles, gunplay, explosions, and sword fighting. These action sequences are done well, although some feel a little forced. There fantasy element comes in the form of the force. The force (in this film) is simply, we can do anything magic. Throughout the film there are number of comedic moments that are likely to give you a good chuckle. The attempt at science fiction falls very flat. The creatures, ships and worlds are uninspired. Also, a lame, aliens are people too message makes their society is no different than our own. The film is also filled with unnecessary little political and ethical messages. While I agree with most of the messages, here they are thrown in as hollow statements to simply advertise the film maker's ideologies, as opposed to creating any type of understanding.
Visuals: While the creativity may be lacking, the technical creation of the visuals were not. The Last Jedi is a visually stunning film that continues to show how far CGI has come and demonstrates the talents of the people that make it happen.
Characters: (as created by the actor, writer, director, and visual artists)
Rey: Strong willed, slightly annoying, decently portrayed hero
Finn: Dull, but very moody, adequately portrayed hero
Poe: two dimensional, loudmouthed, poorly portrayed hero
Kylo Ren: Conflicted, frustrated, decently portrayed villain
Luke: Whiny, reluctant, decently portrayed hero
Leah: Mother figure and decently portrayed hero
Rose: Conventional and decently portrayed hero
Snoke: Plot device and well portrayed villain
Vice Admiral Holdo: Conventional and well portrayed ? (but with bad hair)
DJ: (in this film) a representation of the Disney company and well portrayed ?
Supporting characters: Most of the supporting characters were well played. Cameo appearances by R2D2, C3PO, and Chewbacca
Assembly: The film was well shot and edited in a safe style. With a couple of small exceptions, the pacing was good and my eyes stayed on the screen.

As a Sequel:
The Last Jedi is a complete departure from the previous films in terms of feel and assembly. If it wasn't for character names and a few of the original styled ships, it may not even be recognized as a Star Wars movie.
Feel: The feel of this film is much more lighthearted. There is more action and comedy, and less drama and adventure. The villains don't feel very menacing and the primary heroes seem kind of silly. The fast pace doesn't give you any time for reflection or investment (you won't really need it). Certainly its predecessors had some questionable logic (even the 4, 5 and 6). This film seems to spit on logic, replacing it with ridiculous feats, required stupidity and all too convenient magical powers. The previous color schemes have also been thrown out, making way for reds, purples and oranges (other than light sabers) against green and gray backdrops. The comedy element also shifts from having a couple of comic relief characters, to more of a situational comedy feel.
Assembly: The Force Awakens started branching interwoven storylines, but with this film you could basically edit to make three separate films that made sense on their own. The shots chosen reminded more of a TV show, with external shots of ships going through hyperspace and other familiar sequences. The shots are well framed, but they make the viewer feel more like an observer and less like they are part of the story. Star Wars movie filming styles have been slowly diverging from the original three. The Last Jedi almost completely breaks from the original style. The bad thing, doesn't feel like the other films. The maybe good thing, now that the style has been broken, future directors won't have to follow a style that they cannot correctly recreate anyway.
Going Forward: These movies will continue to be cranked out. Many people will see them for for their good visual effects and action. This movie has killed the dreams of may Star Wars fans. Star Wars will seek new revenue in a wider audience that just want to see a big budget Disney movie.
You should:
See this movie if you like: Action; Fantasy; Good Visuals; Cute Animals; Sitcom Style Comedy; Magic Powers; Female Role Models; you don't want to think too much; you can follow multiple storylines
Avoid this movie if you like: Romance, Drama, Good Science Fiction; Logic; Male Role Models; you always think too much; you have difficulty following multiple chopped up storylines; if episodes 4, 5 and 6 had a life changing influence on you

Final note:
Theory why Snoke turned to the dark side (forshadowing):
Snoke turned to the darkside due to the anger he felt after receiving the bill for making expensive holographic head phone calls. If only Luke was able to teach him how to make holographic phone calls without data plans, the universe would have been a safer place.