STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI; A Professional Scotsman Review #16

#SPOILER FREE# Watch Trailer

Han Solo: "Uh, everything's under control. Situation normal." Radio Voice: "What happened?"

Walking out the theatre I mentioned to my Mum I thought Daisy Ridley as Rey was good and she agreed, saying: "Is she Ridley Scott's daughter?" To be fair almost as soon as she said it she realised why that logic was wrong... but who was Rey's mysterious on screen parentage? Ah, well, I'm not going to spoil that but it was one of the secrets that harboured much speculation amongst the fan base before the film's release and I'll just say that that issue is handled brilliantly, understated yet poignant, completely wrong footing all fan theories including mine, which I enjoyed. But I can't just fire in, Poe Dameron style, and big the film up off the bat; you'll already find many overly hyperbolic positive AND negative reviews online. And I'm already seeing a lot of mixed reviews on my Facebook feed so here's what you all came for first: things that sucked about the new Star Wars film.

Han Solo: "Uh, we had a slight weapons malfunction, but uh... everything's perfectly all right now. We're fine. We're all fine here now, thank you. How are you?" [Han winces]

There are too many jokes. Actually there's really just one. At the start. And it's an awkward, over extended one (though my Mum laughed a lot); badly misplaced in my opinion yet it does set the tone for what's to come and the rest of the humour is handled well. So once I'd got past that first, possibly bold, misstep I relaxed. Funny, when I go to see a Star Wars film the first half hour or so is always spent thinking: "I hope this is good. Please be good." And it is. There is so much character development here that in retrospect it makes The Force Awakens look better as a set up (it's gone from an 8 out of 10 to a SOLID 8 out of 10). And as the humorous tone in the predecessor was one of the best features of it I'm okay with them doubling down on this aspect. Rogue One (6) suffered in my opinion because of the lack of humour - if you're going to make a war film then make it an 18, don't make it a humourless, sexless PG13. Also I didn't like a diversion into a Vegas-esque world very much. It amounted to nothing ultimately but then as a fun returning cameo character points out; failure is an important point in life anyway so maybe that was always the point?

Radio Voice: "We're sending a squad up." Han Solo: "Uh, uh, negative. We had a reactor leak here now. Give us a minute to lock it down. Large leak, very dangerous."

I'll tell you what's brilliant: Kylo Ren is brilliant. Adam Driver is such a good actor and the character so layered that he's really carved out something special: a complex, relatable, fascinating villain. Don't get me wrong: I love the pure malevolence in Andy Serkis' portrayal of Supreme Leader Snoke, clearly channelling Jeremy Irons, who is genuinely scary. Yet if his portrayal is very much one note then Kylo Ren's is a symphony, and the contrast in villains creates a wonderful harmony. In fact all the acting is fantastic. Luke is now a bit weird, darker, wounded and interesting. Carrie Fisher seems to have the weight of the entire galaxy on her capable shoulders. Ah, Fisher. Great to see you go out on such a classy high note. She's got one scene that is, in the cold light of day, probably a bit silly. But screw it, it worked when I watched it yesterday. It'll probably split fans but Carrie herself pulled it off. Rey is strong, full of "spunk" according to Snoke and seems to, out of nowhere, develop sexual tension with Adam Driver's villainous Ren. Thanks God. Some actual almost sex (even if only in the mind) in a Star Wars film. Han and Leia eat yer heart out! Sadly John Boyega's character is now very much superfluous which is a shame. In fact, he should have died in The Force Awakens in my humble opinion, though he's a capable performer. Harrison Ford's energy (even as an old, grumpy man) is made up for with Poe's dash and as Chewie, the best right hand man perhaps in movie history, can still pilot the Falcon like a beast his presence is still with us.

Radio Voice: "Who is this? What's your operating number?" Han Solo: "Uh..."

Structurally the film rips off The Empire Strikes Back (10) in that it's a long chase movie - sort of reversed and turned inside out. There are many nods to the originals for those looking for it though not as many egregious ones in The Force Awakens. However we cannot expect the 8th movie in a franchise (9th including Rogue One... actually more if you include the Ewok solo adventures Caravan Of Courage, The Ewok Adventure and dear Christ; The Star Wars Christmas Special... wait, are these still canon?) to not riff on itself. The world building continues to be strong though I actually think that the Star Wars universe (the physical universe, not the Star Wars extended franchise) can seem a little small - it's often desert planets and the same characters or relatives of those characters. So this is a little thing but it's big for me: I like all the new animals that inhabit the film. The Porgs are totes adorbes. There. I said it. And the crystal foxes are absolutely beautiful, along with less aesthetically pleasing sea cows and sea monsters. They make the world interesting and more real somehow. The film also questions so much of the established lore. Is Luke really that big a hero? Are the Jedi that glorious? It's an unexpectedly deep meta meditation on the whole franchise though it probably kicks some of the fans in their small moons. Anyway I've rambled on for long enough I think...

[Han shoots the radio console with his blaster]

Han Solo: "Boring conversation anyway..."

FINAL ANALYSIS: There are tonal issues in that the humour might spill over in bathos (it's a Latin word for misplaced jokes that undercut the serious drama - I looked it up) but ultimately not enough for me to be too bothered. And whilst the middle act diversion is almost entirely superfluous the film builds to such a rich conclusion that it can be forgiven its missteps. There are some wonderful, character driven scenes and moments that surpass the glossy sheen of the Marvel films - its major rivals. I wish it had been pruned back slightly but am very happy with so much of what they delivered - the big scenes and the little moments - that I came back from the cinema with a buzz. The best scenes are with Rey and Kylo including a desperate, incredibly shot, balletic-yet-dirty light sabre duel with a twist. Luke and Leia are the twin hearts of the film though and have some brilliant, emotionally drenched moments which would have brought a tear to someone not as incredibly hard as I am... sniff... what? Oh, that's just a cold. Oh, and the music was absolutely fantastic. Whoever did it will probably have a good career should they wish to do more films.

SCORE: Loved it. Visually stunning. Emotional and bold, even when it fails. Which is maybe the point? A solid 9 out of 10.

ALTERNATIVE TITLE: Back Strikes Empire The.