Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Directed by: Rian Johnson
Starring: John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver
Running time: 152 minutes
TL;DR: Cry Try Buy

If conventional wisdom is to be believed, middle children can be problematic. The Last Jedi seems to be proof of this, having neither its elder sibling’s skill in pandering to expectation, nor (I predict) its younger’s ability to get away with anything. Caught between sticking to tradition and forging its own path, the film makes some bold choices; not all well-executed, but all purposeful and mostly welcome. This may not be the Star Wars we’re looking for, but perhaps it’s the Star Wars we need.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Directed by: J. J. Abrams
Starring: John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver
Running time: 135 minutes
TL;DR: Cry Try Buy

The Force Awakens represents not only the continuation of arguably the most influential trilogy in movie history, but also the start of the trilogy for a new generation of viewers. Taken by itself, the film is not the strongest in the series, but it capably fulfills these ‘obligations’ with a well-crafted balance of novelty and fan service.

The film quite literally rewrites history, taking only inspiration from The Universe Formerly Known as Expanded. This allows The Force Awakens to tell a story unconstrained by (most of) the existing lore, and enable the thrill, surprise, and wonder that have long been key draws of this unforgettable series.