Why "The Last Jedi" just works.

While it's probably the most divisive film in the franchise, I don't think there's a Star Wars episode that connects more with my love for George Lucas's creation than The Last Jedi. Under Rian Johnson's direction, this is a brilliant sequel that takes the solid foundations of The Force Awakens and takes them to original ground that The Ryse of Skywalker unfortunately couldn't sustain.

The key to its success? Reconnecting with what made the original trilogy a timeless classic, filled with characters with fears, desires, and effective narrative arcs. Johnson taps into Lucas's original influences: Westerns and samurai films, making "A Galaxy Far, Far Away" feel more alive and organic than ever. I understand why it garnered so much hatred at the time, especially when it comes to its courage in portraying Luke Skywalker as a defeated Jedi haunted by all the failures of his past. However, what for many is a sacrilege to the original story, for me, is a much more realistic and interesting narrative route than turning him into the invincible hero he never was.

These seams, far from being a betrayal of the character's legacy, demonstrate a deep understanding of him. They are imperfections that allow us to empathize and ultimately contribute to a powerful and satisfying ending, which, yes, defies our expectations, but is closer in spirit to The Empire Strikes Back than anything else Disney has done with the franchise.

My only regret with The Last Jedi is that we'll never get to see what Ryan Johnson really wanted to do with his characters, and the dynamic between Rey and Kylo (both characterized as having some of the best narrative narcos in the entire film) ended up being taken in a way that was probably less interesting than the original idea.

Episode 8 is far from perfect, but it boasts a level of bravery that honestly hasn't been seen in years within the franchise, and I hope that if Star Wars ever doesn't return to theaters, the reason will be much closer to this than the disaster that was Rise of Skywalker.

This score was taken from my Letterboxd account.