Review: 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi' (2017)

It's a film that will require multiple viewings and reward you for doing so. What makes Star Wars so accessible for general audiences? There will always be something for everyone. If nothing else, see this at least once for that experience.

+ Recommended - PG-13, Action, Adventure

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I don't know where to start or what to write. "This is not going to go the way you think," uttered Luke (Mark Hamill) in the trailer. That much is true.

Rian Johnson's Star Wars: The Last Jedi is a pulse-pounding adventure. Fans that are concerned about this film, due to the The Force Awakens' (2015) use of similar characteristics and plot points from past films, shouldn't be worried. This film asserts a new and revitalizing direction all while utilizing those callbacks to past films in a subtle fashion. The characters and the lore are explored and enriched further in this installment and it certainly took multiple risks to achieve this.

Some of my favorite moments of any Star Wars film come from The Last Jedi; this includes whole scenes, imagery, and character interactions. Johnson's color palette effectively uses the scintillating duo of red and blue light to remind us of the constant clash between the light and the dark. Those colors also reflect the constant inner conflict felt within every character. Among the cast, Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) and Carrie Fisher (Leia Organa) solidify some of the best performances of the whole franchise. Oscar Issac (Poe Dameron) is given a healthy dose of screen time to flesh out his character and newcomer Kelly Marie Tran (Rose) radiates beautifully-refreshing energy.

Go and see The Last Jedi in theatres. It's a film that will require multiple viewings and reward you for doing so. What makes Star Wars so accessible for general audiences? There will always be something for everyone. If nothing else, see this at least once for that experience.