The Force Awakens was a fun but often lacklustre reboot, a story that seemed to be designed primarily with two goals in mind; to recapture the original Star Wars spirit and to create a lot of mystery box questions that would keep viewers talking after the credits rolled. This posed a few obvious problems, with the most prominent being whether the answers would be satisfying... if they came at all. But with a new director and writer personally taking the creative reigns things became more promising, and there was a chance it could be less corporate and more meaningful. Would Rian Johnson deliver something unexpected or would it just be a middle chapter that resembled Empire on the surface but lacked the magic? Or is this a worthy expansion of the characters and the mythology that enriches the previous adventure?
This is a long movie. The longest yet in the series, clocking in at two and half hours. Structurally there is a lot of material that really slows down the pacing in the first act, and these are the biggest problems here. The opening throws in all the characters from Episode VII and a few new ones, and immediately gives us a lot of clunky narrative setup. It's at this early stage where things are the most concerning. The Resistance pilots scramble to evade the First Order capital ships, there are a lot of pyrotechnics and a lot quips. There's a lot of talk about leadership and tactical advantages. We have to get through a lot of introductory story beats before things can get moving as people discuss the fuel of light speed engines, the effective range of turbo lasers, and the best way to avoid destruction.
Code breaking and shield power are not really compelling discussions for a space fantasy, but after this initial rough patch things start to come together. It sets out a web of plot threads that take time to feel worthwhile, but they do work out as things progress. This is mainly because each character is given a path to move along, and while not everyone has an actual arc they do at least seem to be developing or learning about each other. There's a sense of purpose behind some of the sequences, and while not everything works it all fits together well. First off we have hot headed rebel fighters Poe (Oscar Isaac) and Finn (John Boyega) who join with newcomer Rose (Kelly Marie Tran) to figure out a new plan of action after questioning the choices of Vice Admiral Holdo (Laura Dern). Their journey feels like a elongated side quest at times but it's fun and feels a lot like a Jim Henson fantasy feature.
Meanwhile of course Rey (Daisy Ridley) is on the same remote island where we left her, trying to convince jaded Jedi master Luke (Mark Hamill) to rejoin the cause. This is the real meat of the story as we get to see how his past actions shaped what has come to pass in the galaxy, and we learn more about his relationship with Kylo Ren (Adam Driver). The two apprentices, one dark and one light, become a focal point for the narrative and it's where the most interesting developments take place. There are of course training scenes and mystical visions, but it's done with a certain amount of wit. Ideas about what the Force really is are discussed in new ways that expand the lore and make it feel a lot more like magic again, thank goodness. It's a welcome return to both character centric drama and also ethereal, cosmic feeling religious notions.
That isn't to say that it's a sober, dry plot about ancient tomes and the growing power of evil forces. The tone often shifts between the engaging spiritual story elements and the levity of an adventure tale. The cast is still as charismatic as ever which makes both sides of this effective, although there are a few moments that feel like a step too far regarding fan favourite BB8. Alien creatures used purely for cuteness are also a worry in some places, but they aren't included that often, and some of the visual comedy is actually pretty good. It's still a sequel to The Force Awakens in this respect but it's worth remembering that some inclusions aren't so far removed from the kind of gags that made it into the final edit in 1977.
While there are several throwbacks to this era and there's still a certain amount of fan service, this is a fresher take on some of those ideas while finally moving forward with others. The scenes between Rey and Kylo are all very good, and those with Luke and Leia are a real highlight. Mark Hamill gives a great mixture of bitter and sarcastic, with a hint of his old self gradually coming through as things develop. Carrie Fisher in what will sadly be her last outing as Princess Leia also gets some great moments that are often melancholy, but appropriately fiery in others. It might seem like a cliché but this is a story that really has some emotional weight beyond all the goofy inclusions. It has heart despite the sometimes messy framework, and there are many instances that almost feel like a grand finale.
The overall direction also takes things to new places, and it's film that includes a few twists while also expanding on which storytelling techniques are included. There are some interesting dream like sequences, several flashback moments, and a few narration like scenes that mix up the usual style of wipe transitions and shots of dog fighting space pilots. There are of course plenty of saber clashes and all the explosive military spectacle you could want, but it manages to feel like something put together by a single film voice. Or at least one with a big studio over his shoulder. There are some nice reveals, a few mysteries left hanging, and despite the similarities to previous instalments it also manages to escape the doom of being just another rehash.
This isn't the typical second act where things really peak... but it is still a high point for the modern spate of movies in this franchise. This might not even be your typical Star Wars film, but it's a welcome addition that rewards viewer patience and delivers enough new ideas and emotional content to feel worthwhile. The last adventure might have tried to bridge the gap between the old and new, but this is the one that cements the original themes and closes the gap. It sates both the need nostalgia and the need for something different, which in the end is really all you can ask for. Making new progress in the third part of this new trilogy will take a lot of effort.
4/5
