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Thursday, December 21, 2017
MOVIE REVIEW/Star Wars: The Last Jedi
A More Balanced Force, Led By Warrior Women
John Boyega
as Finn, Daisy Ridley as Rey, Kelly Marie Tran as Rose Tico, in "Star Wars: The
Last Jedi", directed by Rian Johnson.
Disney/LucasFilm
by
Omar P.L. Moore/PopcornReel.com
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Thursday,
December 21,
2017
Wow. Rian Johnson is a smart, sensitive, savvy filmmaker. He
brings the "Star Wars" franchise firmly into the 21st century with the dynamic, enervating "The Last Jedi", traveling to new dimensions with story and
character. Women are a galvanizing, authoritative Force in this new,
highly moving experience that won my heart from the opening frame. That
first frame is of a woman three-quarters close-up commanding a man to do
something.
I didn't remember what the order was. All I knew was, the image was not lost on me. It riveted me. It told me what to
expect: something different, even revolutionary.
As the odious First Order fights back against The Resistance, Rey (Daisy
Ridley) tries to gain Jedi apprenticeship under a bitter, scornful and cynical Luke
Skywalker (Mark Hamill), self-exiled and isolated on a beautiful mountainous location in Ireland. Why
so serious, Luke? A new dawn awaits you, man. You don't even have to
lift a finger! Use your life force. He does. Luke
however, has reservations about force and power. Rey, a bold, rare and
audacious spirit, anchors Luke
as much as he anchors her, maybe more. Rey is powerful, fearless and
authentic. But a test will come.
Mr. Johnson's film takes time to explore choices, dilemmas, feelings, thoughts,
sensory realms and perceptions. This is a deeper "Star Wars": singular,
contemplative and refreshing. The yin and yang percolate brilliantly
throughout this intimate yet giant-scale action film that makes small moments
between characters as large as big battle
sequences. This film absorbs and consumes your imagination and sense of
involvement. Spatial relationships and light are so important to "The Last
Jedi" and its atmosphere. Use of space or a lack of it could be seductive
or a gulf or a nearness exploited by powers, malevolence or some innate yearning
to reach out and harmonize with someone. It can get lonely when you fight
to save a galaxy.
No character
is insignificant, and "The Last Jedi" has a wickedly playful sense of humor even
among its villains. One of the most clever and intriguing things about Mr.
Johnson's film (he also wrote it) is the character development of Kylo Ren (Adam
Driver), whose mind and heart have divided loyalties. It's one of the most
attuned underpinnings of character and nuance I've seen in the "Star Wars"
series.
In "The Last Jedi" I watched characters with depth of feeling and reflection
breathe, emote, make me laugh, almost make me cry. And I'm not the
crying kind. Never have I been as emotionally fulfilled and enriched by a
"Star Wars" film in a theater as I have this one -- and that includes "Star
Wars", which I saw in a movie theater when it opened in 1977.
Carrie Fisher in her final film performance, in "Star Wars: The
Last Jedi", directed by Rian Johnson.
Disney/LucasFilm
Women are central to the narrative -- and their presence isn't a political
calculation other than the obvious need to give a universe what has been missing
for a long time on the Hollywood big screen: its most cherished hidden figures.
The welcome abundance of women in "The Last Jedi" isn't about numbers or
diversity but meaningful inclusion and impact on the storylines
defining this clean, ornate sci-fi drama. There is duality within us, and Mr.
Johnson takes care to expose that well in each of his main characters.
These women are the conscience, a calling, a caution and leadership. Let
any annoyed fanboys or fearboys panic and pout all the way back to their
basements.
Laura Dern brings stature and resonance to the face-off with The First Order as
Vice Admiral Amilyn Holdo, who commands a wave of Resistance pilot fighters led by Poe
(Oscar Isaac), who eagerly wants the first crack at The First Order. Ms.
Dern brings a calming peace and time-stopping element to this busy landscape,
slowing things so you can gain full measure of her captaincy. A touch
regal, Holdo's capabilities are not to be trifled with. "The Last Jedi"
and its sincerity about gender representation isn't some cynical P.C. move.
Mr. Johnson's film honestly appreciates and respects women and wisely recognizes
that galaxies and armies aren't formed and fortified by men alone. The
push-pull between genders in "The Last Jedi" has a feel of comedy to it even if
the settings are formal and serious.
One of the most endearing moments of "The Last Jedi" is the introduction of
Kelly Marie Tran as Rose Tico. She has Rosie The Riveter spunk and spirit
that fuels her growth as a character and fighter. She fights with her
heart and mind. Ms. Tran gives Rose sophistication and a mission without
making her a stock character. She's arguably the smartest character in
"The Last Jedi" and reveals in actions more than words. It's a completely
winning turn from Ms. Tran, who epitomizes the everywoman dimension of "The Last
Jedi". Rose is a throwback to the 1940s woman onscreen, a smart, lovable
dynamite character, one Barbara Stanwyck might have played.
Space and its use is key to "Star Wars: The
Last Jedi", directed by Rian Johnson. Mark Hamill is Luke Skywalker.
Disney/LucasFilm
There are quiet scenes in "The Last Jedi" where you see at least two women on
screen at once talking to each other -- in the foreground, audibly, and not
talking about men. There is pride, wonder, beauty and emotion in these
moments and throughout Mr. Johnson's film, the finest of the "Star Wars" lot.
There's meaning in those moments. That's what stuck with me about "The
Last Jedi". Scenes mean something. Characters say
something. The Force isn't just a feeling, it is an attitude and
intelligence, an intelligence each actor becomes symbiotic with. Their
energy on screen is consonant with the director's mission -- and neither variable cancels out the other. Balance.
Would I have loved to see Lupita Nyong'o instead of the funny-looking
whatever-it-is character onscreen she voices for? Sure. Would I have
loved to see other Black women actually speaking on screen? Definitely.
Finn is the only Black character of consequence in "The Last Jedi" and as in
"The Force Awakens" (2015) he is introduced in laughing-stock fashion.
Finn is a fish out of water who must adjust to his surroundings. John
Boyega plays Finn as a man searching for a tailored fit in Jedi Land. You
sense
Finn may have his doubts about his place in all of this but he's confident and determined. He
operates on impulse and bravado. To hell with risk is his motto.
Each of these "Star
Wars" men are fueled by danger until other forces intervene. By the way, Domhnall
Gleeson, who has had a sensational film year ("mother!",
"American Made" and
others) in 2017, is terrific as the imperious and bumbling baddie General Hux.
The canvas of "The Last Jedi" is rich and vast, full of ingredients, love on the
horizon and a wonderful, moving tribute to Carrie Fisher, who seems to come out
of the screen (and I didn't see this film in 3-D). Ms. Fisher, who died
almost exactly a year ago, brings such gravitas and an echo to the very first
"Star Wars" of 1977. Each look, each word she speaks is her last forever
on film. Her sad passing only adds to the sentiment, affection and emotion
"The Last Jedi" isn't shy to flaunt. I was invigorated by
this epic effort, which at just over two and a half hours long, flies. John
Williams' music score is as great as you'd expect and especially thrives during
the end credits.
What "The Last Jedi" possesses -- more than some of the films in the "Star Wars"
series -- is a soul. A passion. "The Last Jedi" is alive.
Sci-fi can get dry and technical at times, numbed or muted by special effects
and explosions, but Mr. Johnson's film crackles and burns with an unyielding
passion that is the best effect of all: one that touches the heart. Its
warmth isn't obvious as much as it is palpable and disciplined. This is a
mature "Star Wars", a careful film, a tender film, a film that is romantic in
its ambitions, purpose and core but not romanticized. "The Last Jedi" is a
smart film that asks us to tap into the good in ourselves or at least aspire to
be our better selves, and in that respect it is picture-perfect for these very
urgent times in which we live.
"The Last Jedi" appeals to moral order and balance more than it does fighting
and defeating "the enemy". That is another of its most cherished assets. Mr. Johnson
shows us there is something daring, beautiful, humane and holistic about
restraint and compassion -- and in those qualities are an endless strength and genuine hope
for a galaxy to live on for many generations to come. The face of this "Star
Wars", thanks to its director, has literally changed for the better. For the best ever. It
turns out that these Wars are wars of the heart and the conscience. And
that is what makes Mr. Johnson's film so much more valuable than the rest.
Also with: Andy Serkis and a lot of other actors I would like to let audiences
discover as they watch this fine film.
"Star Wars: The Last Jedi" is rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of
America for sequences of sci-fi action and violence. The film's running
time is two hours and 32 minutes.
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