Star Wars: The Last Jedi-Episode VIII in review

Claire Leanard, Staff Writer

The Star Wars franchise has done it again. This past Friday, December 15, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the eighth chapter, was released in theatres across the universe. This exhilarating series has produced a new installment that has enchanted its audience. The Last Jedi takes place just minutes after the second to last production, Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The viewers are jumping right in with the rebels of the the Resistance on their quest to defeat the First Order and restore peace to the galaxy. This decades’ long fight is currently led by General Princess Leia Organa, played by the renowned Carrie Fisher. Unfortunately, Fisher passed away almost a year ago on December 27, 2016. Even with her passing, her role was completely filmed and fans around the world are able to see her work one last time. It is unknown how much, if any, of her parts as Princess Leia were filmed for the next installment set to be released in 2019. Fisher captivated audiences with her stunning performance as the strong-willed Resistance leader that she is. Only time will tell how the brains behind the legendary Star Wars tales will continue her story, or even end it.

Ms. Fisher was not the only exceptional performance in the film. Budding actors Daisy Ridley (Rey), John Boyega (Finn), and Oscar Isaac (Poe Dameron) give stunning performances as the new trio. Daisy Ridley portrays a forceful woman on the path to finding a resolution for the Resistance. While the Resistance base is traveling through space trying to outrun the First Order, commanded by Sith leader, Snoke, in his enormous  Mega-class Star Destroyer, Rey is trying to convince the famous Luke Skywalker Jedi master, to reunite with the cause and save the Resistance. Skywalker, a recurring role for Mark Hamill, provides just enough sentiment as one of the remaining members of the original trio.

The plot of Star Wars: The Last Jedi is not just occupied by powerful rebel leaders. The story continues for the infamous Kylo Ren, played by Adam Driver, as he fights his battle between choosing good or evil. His emotional portrayal is riveting; Driver knows how to apply just the right amount of lonely musing to the role. His master, Supreme Leader Snoke, with his lanky body and decaying, scarred face comes to life thanks to Andy Serkis and digital effects. Serkis, although not really “present,” gives an outstanding performance as the power hungry Sith leader, determined to fully turn Kylo Ren, a member of the powerful Skywalker bloodline, to the darkside.   

The story is built from a tangle of plot lines, but they all affect each other in some way. It is a poetic masterpiece in the fantasy world of Star Wars. The film includes just enough humor, scheming, battles, and sincere junctures to keep the viewers enthralled. It takes a lighter note than its predecessor Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, which included tragic heroic deaths that explain on a deeper level the state of which the fictional universe was in before the actual Star Wars saga began. The movie as a whole is exactly what this fanbase is looking for, a reinvention of the overall theme of the preceding films with just enough to set itself apart from the originals. The Star Wars universe can only go up from here.