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Review: STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI is exciting and unique (when it takes itself seriously)

STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI is a unique and action-packed film – although the jokes don’t always land.

Well, everyone; we finally made it to The Last Jedi. Though the film is certified fresh by critics on Rotten Tomatoes, its current positive audience rating is only 56%. Why?

*** This review is free of major spoilers. ***

Star Wars: The Last Jedi is very much a Star Wars movie at heart. It mixes a new story arc with a hearty dose of classic nostalgia, consistently catering to fans of the original trilogy while bringing a new journey to the table.

Star Wars

The plot itself is perhaps one of the film’s strongest points. The narrative style is complex and frequently crossing between planets and characters, making for an often intense and exciting pace. It feels less like a mirror to Empire Strikes Back than The Force Awakens was to A New Hope, though, as to be expected, there are similar plot devices and ideas. The story was ablaze with twists, which were refreshing and, at times, truly shocking.

Similarly, the attention to detail and design of the different areas we see throughout The Last Jedi are very reminiscent of classic Star Wars production designs. The glittery, sleek design of Canto Bight was intricate and exciting, and the intensity of the First Order Dreadnought worked seamlessly into the Star Wars universe.

Though we follow the major characters from The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi adds many fresh faces into the mix. Another great aspect of the film is its strong diversity across the cast; a refreshing choice for the Star Wars movies in general.

On a separate note, we met so many new characters that at times their roles felt unclear and overwhelming, leaving us struggling to catch up or get a grasp on certain characters’ intentions or developments.

Unfortunately, the writing of The Last Jedi was the biggest distraction. There is so much humor forced into the script that it frequently felt unnatural and out-of-place, taking away from some of the more intense moments for seemingly no reason. Dialogue often felt slow and heavy-handed. Similarly, some subplots felt unnecessary, and we were left confused about the characterization of even the famed Luke Skywalker.

Processing The Last Jedi will probably take a while, especially once the initial worldwide excitement subsides. The film is dense with action sequences and complicated storylines — which both made it more exciting and more confusing altogether.

Let us know what you thought in the comments below!

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