STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI (2017)

Genre: Science Fiction/Adventure
Running Length: 2:32
Cast: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Laura Dern, Benicio Del Toro
Director: Rian Johnson
Screenplay: Rian Johnson, based on characters created by George Lucas

I really struggled with this review. When the credits to STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI rolled, I spontaneously gave this a high rating but as the days went by, the more I thought about it, the ratings started to go downhill. Finally, after considering all angles and reading other perspectives online, I have settled to give this episode ie. Episode VIII, a shade below Episode VII, Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Let me get the negatives out of the way first. Firstly, I like my Star Wars to be serious. But there were just too many throw away gags in The Last Jedi which made some characters felt really off. Secondly, things are not always as it appears. Don't get me wrong, I do like my movies to be unpredictable but there were just way too many unexpected twists that disrupted the flow of the entire story. I felt the brief given to Rian Johnson (the writer and director) was to create a movie with many "everything you know is wrong and everything you care for is not important" moments.

Lastly, the other thing which really annoyed me was the shameless merchandise moments. There are two characters in there which I believe existed just to sell more toys to the masses.

As for the good stuff - this is a beautiful movie to watch. The red visuals are stunning. And there is a very exhilarating fight scene which I believe will be re-watched many times by viewers on YouTube in the future. In terms of character development, three people standout from the rest:
- the yin-yang relationship between Kylo Ren and Rey
- Poe Dameron's growth as a leader

The score was much better than The Force Awakens. One can distinctively hear popular themes from the original trilogy being mixed into this soundtrack.

If the objective of the filmmakers were to disrupt the entire Skywalker saga, then I think this episode did it. But what I would have preferred was for the filmmakers to pick a few twist, and super dramatize those moments instead, case in point: "Luke, I am your father".

RATING: 7/10

STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS (2015)

Genre: Science Fiction / Adventure
Running Length: 2:15
Cast: Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Daisy Ridley, Oscar Isaac, John Boyega, Adam Driver, Peter Mayhew, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Andy Serkis
Director: J.J. Abrams

Screenplay: Lawrence Kasdan & J.J. Abrams and Michael Arndt, based on characters created by George Lucas

STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS. After thinking for a long time on how to approach this review without going into spoilery territory, I figured the best way I know how is to use a metaphor.

Now imagine a popular band/artist who has been around for 30+ years (think U2, Bon Jovi, Jacky Cheung) and they are still releasing new music.  They are going to hold a concert tour. If you’re deciding to go for their concert, what would you be hoping to experience? To see them perform:

1. As many of their new songs as possible + a few of their greatest hits; or

2. As many of their greatest hits as possible + a few of their new songs; or

3. A nostalgia fest - only their greatest hits; or

4. 50/50 if possible; or

5. I don't care. I just want to be entertained.

What you want to get out from this concert is going to be determined by your expectations before you step into the concert venue.

Fortunately/Unfortunately, The Force Awakens was made for fans; pleasing them with familiar ingredients from the original trilogy (a homage of sorts with a pinch of new elements thrown in) rather than boldly go where no man has gone before.

Rating: 8/10