Review: ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ Blasts Into Theaters And The Box Office

Star Wars: The Last Jedi Movie Poster

BY JALESSA CASTILLO

Trumpeting music, scrolling text, light sabers, and of course the force.

The block buster space opera known as the Star Wars franchise returned to the big screen in a big way. It lead the box office with a $220 million opening weekend and an accumulative $400 million domestic and $777 million earned worldwide in only 11 days.

With a lengthy history among fans, ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ becomes the 8th episode in the ongoing saga of the Skywalker family. Building upon the ever growing universe and introducing new characters, conflicts, and elements while also remaining true to the classic 70s films.

Picking up directly after the last movie ‘The Force Awakens’ we are reunited with the Rebels as they face the impending danger of The First Order. Supreme Leader Snoke (Andy Serkis) leads The First Order as it intends to put an end to the Rebel cause once and for all. Under the command of Snoke stands his sith apprentice Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) and General Hux (Domhnall Gleeson). With the Rebellion hanging in the balance Rey (Daisy Ridley) seeks help from the now-legend and former Jedi Master Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill).

In need of a teacher to show her the ways of the force Rey must decide which path she will follow. With a hermit Luke pulling her toward the light side and a mysterious Kylo Ren pulling her toward the dark. The balance of light and dark grows evermore construed when it becomes apparent that Rey and Kylo Ren have a force bond with each other and that both have teetering allegiances to both the light and dark sides.

Meanwhile, the rebels are on their own and are forced to flee from their base. When General Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher) is wounded Vice Admiral Amilyn Holdo (Laura Dern) is tasked with successfully saving the cause. However, not all see her as a good choice to be the leader. In an attempt to save the Resistance his way, Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) sends Finn (John Boyega) and Rose Tico (Kelly Marie Tran) on a secret mission to retrieve a “code breaker” and break onto The First Order’s ship.

“This was the most exciting movie I’ve seen all year,” said Deanna Diaz. “I appreciate the nostalgic moments and story lines that kept me at the edge of my seat!”

While a critical and commercial hit, some found the newly Disney acquired movie to lack the fantastical action sequences that were such a remarkable staple of the preceding films in the series. As this is the first trilogy without original creator George Lucas’ involvement some fans feel it is lacking what Lucas creatively brought to the table.

“Star Wars, for what it represents, is groundbreaking cinema. Its story arcs, the characters, the battle sequences, and the universe it has produced are multi-generational,” said Devin Heflin. “The Last Jedi symbolizes a breaking away from what made the franchise great in an attempt to make the franchise greater.”

Nevertheless, based off its rave reviews and such a big opening weekend it can be said that a majority of people love the spin that Rian Johnson, the director and writer, took on this addition to the series.

I highly recommend going to the theater to see this movie as it is sure to be one of the best of 2017. I also look forward to what the future movies will bring as this left many unanswered questions in regards to fate of Kylo and Rey, the Rebellion, and the overall future of the franchise. Alas, fans do not have to wait too long for more Star Wars, as ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story’ is set to be released in theaters this year but until then “May the force be with you”.