'Star Wars: The Last Jedi' strikes back in epic style
TV & Movies
Rebels flee the might of the enemy.
Intrigue and betrayal in a shady city, and a Jedi student learns about the force from an aging master.
This is the new Star Wars sequel.
This is The Last Jedi.
Yeah, that sounds kinda familiar.
40 years ago The Empire Strikes Back set the template for spectacular sci fi sequels.
And Last Jedi follows that template closely, maybe too closely.
Once you notice it, the brazen nods to Empire can be pretty distracting.
But set that aside, because this is the finest moments of Star Wars, remixed, remastered, and turned up to 11.
Even with all those blatant mimicries of the older film, Last Jedi raises the action and emotional state.
The stars beyond.
In particular, the storyline between Luke Skywalker, his former protege Kylo Ren, and his prospective student Rey ratchets to an intensity rarely seen in the Star Wars saga.
Last Jedi contains some of the most explosive twists And heart wrenching moments in Star Wars history.
It's a stirring return for Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker and it's certainly a fitting send off to the late Carrie Fisher in her final soon to be towering final performance as General Leah.
Not everything is quite so out of this world though.
The plucky rebel Roe is a worthy addition to the crew.
But Manicio Del Toro's hacker doesn't add very much to the mix.
And Poe Damarin doesn't get a lot to do besides look handsome.
He is so very very handsome.
Actually the whole thing looks absolutely stunning.
From the first order's blood red chambers to the finale's crimson crowd bursts and in between the dazzling visuals and freaky moments, there are lacked by the star ship loads when grumpy Uncle Luke, drolls droid BB8.
Yes even the totes adorbes So sure, maybe the Last Jedi learned a few tricks from the Empire Strikes Back.
But as Kylo Ren and Rey becomes perhaps the most compelling characters in the Star Wars Galaxy, it seems the learner has become the master.
It's always been,
