When stars shine

Johnson Thomas

It’s been 40 years since the Star Wars universe was kick-started by George Lucas and Co., so now it is obviously time for the gen-next to take over. The world beyond ours is fast changing, so this memento to the ageing paragons of the parallel cinematic universe is supposedly going to be the last stand of sorts for them. The torch so-to-speak was already passed down to the younger Jedi warriors, who join Princess Leia Organa’s (Carrie Fisher) resistance against the First Order. This episode was expressly meant to give Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), the legendary Jedi warrior, a befitting swansong…and it does. 

This follow-up to Star Wars: The Force Awakens has Daisy Ridley's Rey attempting to persuade Mark Hamill's Luke Skywalker to indoctrinate her in the ways of the Jedi while urging him to resume his place in his sister’s resistance army. But before that happens, we are treated to an indulgent opener devoted to the evil General Hux led First Order's outer space attack on the Resistance. The familiar gives way to some new threads in this sci-fi mythology. 

Star Destroyers, TIE fighters, Imperial walkers, light-sabers, escape pods, and power of The Force are all there – presented in a manner that appears new and gloriously re-imagined. While there’s quite a bit of footage justifying the glorified send-off for the ageing Jedi warrior, there’s not enough to validate the evil that comes from Supreme Leader Snoke (a CGI-refined Andy Serkis) through Kylo Ren(Adam Driver). So conviction is a bit of an issue there. 

The action is satisfying, the drama is transporting and the unravelling is pure entertainment. There’s wit, courage and gumption in good measure too. The performances are also quite impressive. The VFX looks phenomenal, given the IMAX 3D Projections. This franchise may be 40 years old, but it still feels fresh and eager to please.