Star Wars: The Last Jedi

"Every word of what you just said was wrong."

It's important to let you know where I stand with The Force Awakens so you can get a good idea of where I'm coming from with this review of the latest Star Wars episode, The Last Jedi.

I hated TFA ("hardcore" fans get mad and stop reading here):

-It introduces a trilogy that we didn't need

-It's unoriginal

-It's pretty much a worse version of A New Hope

-It's introduces too many questions

-It's packed with unfulfilling fight scenes

-It has too many lens flares

And while Star Wars: The Last Jedi, is nowhere near Empire Strikes Back in terms of quality, surprisingly, it is comparably entertaining. TLJ can thank TFA for lowering my expectations and setting the tone of a contemporary Star Wars with unplanned, on-the-fly writing. As long as you embrace the fact that the SW of today is not the SW of the past, you'll be fine.

And TLJ really does solidify the arrival of a new kind of SW. In just the opening scene, an example of contemporary humor uncomfortably similar to what you'd see in a Marvel film, introduces us to Peter Quill's personality. I mean Poe Dameron. Damn. It really felt like I was in the wrong theater. But I get it, with Disney and millenials and change and kids preferring trigger-happy BB8 over mischief-maker R2D2 and all. What's funny back then is still funny now, and what's funny now isn't really funny at all. I mean… sorry, I mixed up my thoughts there.

You must understand why I'm so scrambled. Not only does some of the humor borderline parody, but the story of TLJ has me befuddled as well. Finn, with so much purpose and conviction in Episode 7, is brushed aside—given a triangle along with a tambourine partner (Rose)—to aimlessly accompany Rey and Kylo's duet. The potential love triangle (or square?), however, does make for some amusing predictions. Who's gonna end up with who? Will Hinata nab Naruto in the end?

What's not so amusing are the endless plot holes rubbed in throughout the film. There are more plot holes in TLJ than there are holes in the pock-faced teenager who has already watched the movie for the umpteenth time in theaters. And if you look too closely, the holes get uglier. Questions emerge from the scars: Why didn't they just do this? How in the world did he do that? Why didn't he just eat the damn thing? You know, the usual questions you ask after watching a blockbuster so lost in its own theatrics.

Despite the numerous plot holes and unnecessary characters (Captain Phas-who?), the exuberant running time of two and a half hours never trudges by, but rather gallops along. It's like riding one of those abused race horse thingies in the movie: exciting, fast, with no time to analyze, all the while feeling guilty for enjoying the ride. There are sections of the ride that have more substance than flare. Kylo Ren's arc into the dark side is intriguing to say the least, and the revelation of how he turned gives Luke a beautifully flawed characteristic. Rey's journey, while a bit too hopeful, has her making her own decisions, which is great for character development. Throughout the film, she mirrors young Luke's own struggles, from coaxing a obstinate recluse to exploring the potential dark side within. Rey's connection with Kylo is more than just the obvious light side dark side, yin and yang mumbo jumbo. There exist almost a love-hate relationship. Their bond portrays them as if they are the only two adolescents in the universe able to understand one another—the pain that the other is going through.

What else is good? Fight scenes. Not the best space battles, but hey, it's an improvement from TFA. And super natural talent Rey kicks plenty of ass again with her pretty much non-existent training. Kylo kicks some too I guess.

What I truly enjoy, though, are the heartfelt nods to old school fans. To see classic characters interact with Luke is emotionally satisfying.

But most importantly, the film answers the looming questions that its predecessor had raised. And it's nice to have that peace of mind. With some closure, and the constantly repeated theme of hope, TLJ feels like the beginning of a trilogy, not the middle. Not much seems to happen, with the Resistance running from the First Order throughout the whole film, but at the same time, a lot does—if not in the story, then on the screen.

Chad: 3.5/5

Alex: 3.5/5

Overall: 3.5 duh