There are few experiences like watching a new Star Wars movie with Star Wars fans. That’s what gets me excited. I love the Wars and I love the films, but the experience is unparalleled. As of writing this, I’ve seen it twice now. I was at the fan event screening at The Grove on opening night, and a couple days later at El Capitan theater. El Cap def was a better experience. More people in costumes, more cheers, the super special only one in the world laser light show (although I was really hoping for a light saber fight), Storm trooper photo op, the costume exhibit. However, there was one moment at The Grove that reminded me why Star Wars is so special. There I was with my Star Wars mouse ears and other accessories, and I overhear a coversation further in my row. “Get in here” he says lovingly as he puts his arm around the young girl and lifts up his phone. “We’re taking a selfie?!” she replies excitedly. “You never take selfies” “I know, but this is Star Wars. Come here.” That my friends is what the Star Wars community is all about.
It’s almost unfair to blog about this movie. No matter what happens on screen, the feels are unmatched by anything else, that I’m going to love it. But oh, what happened on screen was glorious. There was so much I did love. I appreciated the humor, the battle sequences were breathtaking, there were so many surprises, the new characters were great additions, the old characters were expertly handled. I don’t care about the backlash around this movie. From the people I’ve personally talked to that didn’t care for it, they mostly spent two years reading fan theories, so of course this was never gonna live up. Me, I went in as blind as I possibly could, and I absorbed every minute of it.
There are a couple points that I wanna break down a little more. First off, the girl power. Leia, Rey, Holdo, Rose, all strong and powerful women who showcased their ability without question of their capability. It was not lost on me how rare it is to see these types of characterizations on screen, and in a year of powerful women in film, this was a great way to cap it off. Leia especially. Carrie Fisher is absolutely majestic, and while I’m devastated to see her go, this film is a perfect peak of her legacy. I may not be much of a princess type of Leia will always be my princess. Actually, she’s a general now, so even better.
The other standout, Mark Hamil as Luke Skywalker. Holy acting skills, Batman, he completely blew me away. It was worth waiting for him (since he didn’t do much in TFA), and I had no idea the depths and range he was capable of as an actor. That performance alone is worth the watch.
Sure, the movie isn’t perfect, and there’s lots of criticism out there. I don’t give a force. It was everything I had hoped for, and I’m excited to see the story continue. Rian Johnson, you’ve done well!
Star Wars: The Last Jedi – \m/ \m/ \m/ \m/