Unfortunately, the film's overall story simply doesn't live up to it's potential

Rating: 5/10 (21 December 2017)

As a fan of the Star Wars films for, oh, several decades now, I was looking forward by the possibilities opened up by Disney's capture of the much-loved franchise, and their intent to both expand the universe, take the timeline forward beyond the events depicted in the Return of the Jedi.
Unfortunately, the execution of this promising idea has left me feeling empty and flat. Where Gareth Edward's Rogue One gave us hope that stories could be told around the events of the original films in new and refreshing ways, Rian Johnson's The Last Jedi takes it away with often awkward or misplaced humour, inconsistent storytelling, unneccesary diversions and a convoluted and at times meaningless narrative. This is not a very good film. It's not even a very good Star Wars film.
It does have it's moments; most notably arriving in the performances of Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher, who both put in fine performancens in their respective arcs and bring much-needed heart and soul to an otherwise heartless, soulless endeavour. Benicio del Toro and Laura Dern also give us glimpses of interesting characters, but are otherwise wasted in all-too brief cameo appearences. Technically, the film is superb, with (a couple of notable instances aside) excellent use of CGI, practical effects and some absolutely stunningly realised locations. John Williams' musical score is as excellent as always.
Unfortunately, the film's overall story simply doesn't live up to it's potential, the efforts of it's cast and crew or take any advantage of the possibilites set up by it's predecessor, JJ Abrams The Force Awakens. In fact, it seems to reject it's role as the second film of a trilogy, and in it's attempts to subvert expectations and offer surprises it manages to both offer little meaningful resolution to moviegoers quesitons while at the same time creating little in the way of momentum in the story going forward. I'm not sure where the franchise goes from here, and I'm not sure this film has left me with any particular reason to wonder or care.