STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI
US/UK, 2017, 152 minutes, Colour.
Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Lupita Ngyon’go, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendolyn Christie, Kelly Marie Tran, Laura Dern, Justin Theroux.
Directed by Rian Johnson.
Within 10 days of release around the world, The Last Jedi had drawn in almost $1 billion at the box office. That’s popularity.
It is 40 years since the first words began to scroll upwards on the screen, introducing audiences to the galaxy far, far away, to the now-immediately-recognisable opening to John Williams striking score. And, 40 years later, that is the way that episode eight, The Last Jedi, opens. Not only do we know instantly that we are in the galaxy, that we have gone far, far away from our ordinary lives, but we feel what it is like to be in the galaxy, remembering the past episodes, hopeful for this new one.
Those in charge in the galaxy now are the First Order, ruled over by a Gollum -like creature (and, in fact, he is played by Andy Serkis), sinister and slimy both in look and voice. He is ruthless, his Star Wars aggression being led by General Hux (Domnhall Gleeson), assertive but something of a weak and insipid character. Meanwhile, the rebels are at their headquarters spaceship, led by Princess Leia. This film is dedicated to Carrie Fisher who had completed her work for the film before her untimely death. She has a strong and substantial role in this episode, reminding us of the strength of her character when we met first met her in 1977.
The film is also strong for the presence of Mark Hamill. In episode seven, Rey (an intrepid Daisy Ridley) has gone to the planet where Luke Skywalker has exiled himself, on a craggy island. Her mission is to bring him back to help the rebels. He is reluctant, treats her with dismissal but, ultimately does train her in Jedi ways. He still has The Force and communicates with Leia. He also tells the story of his trying to train Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) and his discovery of the young man given over to the Darkside, even responsible for the death of his father, Han Solo – and initially prepared to destroy the rebel headquarters and his mother.
Also in the action is the adventure a pilot, Poe Damaron (Oscar Isaac), involved initially in daring raids against the First Order, disobeying orders but being successful, though demoted when Leia is injured and hands over to her successor, Vice Admiral Holdo (Laura Dern).
And, just as we might have been wondering where Finn is (John Boyega), he seems to come out of hibernation and soon goes on an important mission to try to get the codes to destroy the First Order headquarters. He is accompanied by Rose, Kelly Marie Tran, whose sister was killed in one of Poe’s all attacks. They infiltrate the headquarters and meet a dubious character who knows the codes, played by Benicio del Toro.
So, the stage is set for more adventures and star wars, Vice Admiral Holdo will sacrificing herself so that the remnant can escape. The stage is also set for a confrontation between Luke Skywalker and Kylo Ren, Luke relying on the Force to play strategic tricks on Kylo Ren.
And so, the stage is also set for the passing of the old Jedi links, Luke and Leia, the anointing of Rey as the new Jedi with Poe and Finn to be the co-warriors in episode nine.
After 40 years, changing the imagination and consciousness of audiences worldwide, the force of the series is still with us.
1. The popularity of the Star Wars films? For 40 years? Around the world? Shaping world consciousness and imagination?
2. The title, Luke as the Last Jedi? Rey is the first new Jedi? The tradition of the tradition continuing?
3. The familiar opening, the rolling information, the situation, John Williams music? Audiences familiar with the galaxy? At home there?
4. The situation: the First Order, domination, the rebels? Episode eight in the continuity with the past – and looking forward to the third part of the third trilogy?
5. The visuals of space, vastness, the range of planets? The island, the crags, the sea? The First Order headquarters, the throne room for Snoke? The rebels’ headquarters? The space ships, exteriors and interiors, in motion, in battle?
6. The special effects, the battle sequences?
7. Snoke, ruling the First Order, General Hux, his orders, the attack? Subservience to Snoke? His weak character? Poe, in his ship, his skill at manoeuvres? The destruction? The dangers, Leia and her commands, his disregarding them? His attack, the destruction and success? The hero and his disobeying orders?
8. Rey and her story, the quest from the previous film, on the island, seeking Luke? His story, the past heroics, the Jedi code, his retiring to the island, yet still having his powers, the Force? Being the last of the Jedi? Rey and her visit, her request for his help, Luke ignoring her, rebuking her, further treatment? Chewbacca’s intervention? R2D2? The island and its desolation? The crags, the water? Luke’s resistance? Yet changing, the training process for Rey? His sensing of Leia’s presence? His decision to intervene? His telling Rey the story of Kylo Ren, Kylo Ren and the darkness, Luke wanting to kill him, to destroy the dark side? The darkness that Kylo Ren had killed Han Solo? – And his even intending to destroy his mother?
9. Rose, guardian of the codes? The death of her sister with Poe? Finn and his background, with the Empire and the soldiery? Emerging, leaking water, his bewilderment? Poe’s saving him? The buildup to the mission? The command controls? Finn and Rose going to the ship, infiltrating, the encounter with DJ? Friendly, leading them on, their being captured, his double standards? Ironic tone? The return, the commander of the code? The importance of timing?
10. Kylo Ren, his subservience to Snoke, audiences with him, the issue of the Dark Side? The interactions with Rey? Their being together, the discussions, the bond, her seeing the good in him? His betraying her, leading the attack, willing for his mother to die? Yet stepping back, hesitating? His killing Snoke, Snoke’s presumption and shock at his destruction? The laser fights? Eventually the confrontation with Luke, the fight to the death?
11. Leia, her injuries and the attack, the Force, moving through space, returning, her recovery? Handing on the authority to Vice Admiral Holdo? Holdo, her presence, strength, Poe resentful of her command? Her acting by the book? Dismissing Poe? The plan, the time travel, saving the ship, the fighter ships and their being destroyed by the First Order? Her decision to evacuate everybody from the ship? Her remaining, saving the crew? Her death?
12. The buildup to the climax, General Hux, the attack? The rebel escape, the Fort, 3CPIO and his presence, advice?
13. Luke, his presence, the encounter with Leia and her comment on her hair? Rey, Rose, Finn? Rose and her death?
14. The confrontation between Luke and Kylo Ren? The laser swords? The Force? Luke eluding Kylo Ren? But his returning to the island, his presence there, his death and disappearance?
15. The starship, the escape of the small group – and into the next sequel?
