Thesis or most Epic Review either way You are in deep if you're reading this

Rating: 7/10 (30 December 2017)

I have to say I'm surprised. I rather liked the Last Jedi. Maybe even 7.5 stars. After reading the reviews, and my view that the Force Awakens was a total mess, I was convinced this would be awful.
What went wrong in the Force Awakens, which seemed to be addressed in The Last Jedi, e.g. the ectypal storline, juvenile science, diminutive size of the galaxy, overwrought gender politics, the non-stop laugh track.
Meaning; A New Hope 2.0, star draining planets, oh theres Han that was easy, ham-it-up don't hold my hand!, all this show needs is a laugh track and move-the-story-along turn on R2!
After reading the reviews I was prepared for a non stop barrage of bad jokes, but it never came. They seemed to have cut back on the inappropriately timed comedy in this episode. As for a rehash of the originals, they borowed only the split up the gang story approach and the brought to the brink doomish ending.
Space seems large again. As in, oh hey Han Solo, you've been looking for this ship for years? We just left the atmosphere that was easy.
Jar Jar Abrams soap box seems to have been put away. No need to go home and self flagelate your penis รก la Hanzo the Razor. I was born a boy I should just kill myself now.
Its arguable there are still plot contrivances. Like the slow space chase but no need for droid ex machina to flip on and hand over... some more map?
The Last Jedi listened to our woes from The Mess Awakens. Both films had great cinematography, lowered reliance on computer graphics and a great new cast. I gave the Force Awakens four stars and wished it were better. I think I may grow to love The Last Jedi though it isn't without flaws. I'll start with those and end with its triumphs.
R2D2 and C3Po. I'm a big believer in these two droids being the central characters in all of the main Star Wars films. The idea taken from Akira Kurisawa's Hidden Fortress of two lowly characters who are at the centre of swirling powerful galactic events. This theme has been lost in both of the post Lucas films and it's a deficiency.
Leia in space. Super Leia. It was dumb. Both in the context of the movie and with her passing in hindsight, it was dumb in life. We all knew another original character was going to go. But why Luke? The only thing I can think of, is that Leia was there from the beginning before Han, before Luke. This was her fight. For her entire life she fought the Empire. First in. Last out. There is poetry to that. I just wish they didn't have her super flying through space.
The Casino deviation. Useless? Pretty much. Odd choice? Absolutely. A long way to go to say war and life can be murky? Yup. I guess I'll have to live with it.
No time for Rey. Could they give her a little time to get in a little training? Just write "five months previous" on the screen when she meets Luke and show us a montage. Is that so hard? It is? God mode it is then.
Mad Max Fury Road in Space. Well at least they didn't get to the end and turn around and come right back. The idea of a slow weird space chase is a strange plot device. I'm neutral on it but I can see why people thought it a bit weak. I guess I'll have to get used to that too.
Other than the greatly missed theme of R2 and C3Po most of these points are a little nitpicky and I can learn to get over.
Now for the great bits.
Rey is no one. Sold for drinking money and abandoned. I love it. You don't have to be someone. Anyone can be amazing.
I hate book burning. I'm wary. But Yoda doing it himself was a pretty great scene. Still though. All the books!? But it was great none the less.
I actually do like Adam Driver. I'm not sure his character is menacing enough, like Darth Vader. But he is a great actor playing an original character.
I kind of like that Luke is a hermit and has withdrawn from the force. That war has been raging for a 100 years? I'm not sure. But who wouldn't become tired and embittered after a lifetime of fight.
Leia thats who! Princess, General, freedom fighter. She choked out one of the most powerful crime lords in the galaxy, clad in only a gold bikini and with nothing but her chains and a will to survive. Carrie Fisher was excellent in the Last Jedi and the world didn't need Abrams to save us from our past, we had heroines all along....