No introduction needed. Just watch this thing.
For a variety of reasons, I haven't been as insanely excited for Star Wars: The Last Jedi as I was for The Force Awakens back in 2015. I think I can chalk it up to the fact that these last few months have been really busy, but that film was also the first Star Wars film in a decade and the sequel to Return of the Jedi that fans had been craving for over 30 years. Plus, a whole new cast of characters and new-ish planets meant that there was so much to discover. So even though The Last Jedi was my most anticipated film of 2017, I haven't been bouncing off the walls with excitement, jumping at every opportunity to see a new image or clip. The first trailer released in April was good but decidedly unremarkable, as Disney and Lucasfilm both know that they barely have to market this thing- people will see it anyways.
I say all this for one simple reason- after today's trailer, my hype levels are off the charts.
There's a new Star Wars movie coming out in just over two months, and wow, it looks utterly spectacular. After months of being cagey with details about Rian Johnson's 8th installment in the Star Wars franchise, Lucasfilm dropped the trailer during the halftime show of ESPN's Monday Night Football, the kind of trailer that will send shockwaves through the landscape of pop culture. It is everything I didn't know I needed right now, so let's dive in, shall we?
The Last Jedi has one major task- it simply cannot be a retread of The Empire Strikes Back. I hold firm in my belief that The Force Awakens is a good, if not great movie, but I'll concede that J.J. Abrams basically made a soft reboot of A New Hope. But I've always trusted Rian Johnson, the kind of director who makes fresh, original, exciting films. And even with all of the conflict at Lucasfilm, it appears that Johnson has made something truly incredible here, a visually dazzling spectacle with a compelling narrative and true emotional poignancy. After a very safe sequel that introduced us to a new cast of characters and the new landscape in a galaxy far, far away, it appears that Johnson has gone all out with the follow-up, creating the perfect continuation to the saga.
Here's just a list of my thoughts after watching the trailer three or four times-
-I love the emphasis on new locales and new vehicles in this installment. No desert planets or ice planets. Johnson has cities and mining worlds front and center. Good stuff.
-There's something dark in Rey's eyes when she swings that lightsaber. I'll elaborate later, but I think we could see her character take a really fascinating arc.
-The idea of a reluctant Luke scared of Rey's power is such a brilliant subversion of the Yoda-Luke dynamic that I can't even begin to imagine what else Johnson has in store for us.
-Kylo Ren remains one of the best interesting characters in the history of Star Wars, and I adore the little scene set up in this trailer where he hesitates to gun down General Leia. Whether or not this is actually something that happens in the movie or a feat of editing, I don't know. But it's great.
-Porgs! What more can I say? These little guys are awesome.
-Finn and Captain Phasma's little battle as the ship burns looks epic, and I'm glad to see that the conflict between these two characters is continuing forward.
-That shot of Rey being held and tortured in the air by Snoke is legitimately terrifying. Can't wait to find out more about that character.
To summarize my thoughts, I think the final scene between Rey and Kylo is indicative of the kind of film we're about to see. To me, that scene isn't some kind of shocking reveal or betrayal of Rey's character. I see two people who have been pushed to darkness by their hero, a man who has disappointed them time and again. They have been failed by the chosen one, and they're searching for answers that they can't seem to find. And I love this. I love that Johnson is going there. He's not playing it safe, he's taking us to a darker place while refuting the idea that complex material has to be "grim" and "gritty." This trailer is everything I wanted, and I cannot wait to see this thing.
My tickets have already been acquired. I'm ready. This could very well be the best Star Wars film yet.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi arrives in theaters on December 15. Tickets are already going fast, so scoop up yours soon! Also, check out the epic new poster that just arrived courtesy of Lucasfilm earlier tonight.
This movie is going to be amazing.
For a variety of reasons, I haven't been as insanely excited for Star Wars: The Last Jedi as I was for The Force Awakens back in 2015. I think I can chalk it up to the fact that these last few months have been really busy, but that film was also the first Star Wars film in a decade and the sequel to Return of the Jedi that fans had been craving for over 30 years. Plus, a whole new cast of characters and new-ish planets meant that there was so much to discover. So even though The Last Jedi was my most anticipated film of 2017, I haven't been bouncing off the walls with excitement, jumping at every opportunity to see a new image or clip. The first trailer released in April was good but decidedly unremarkable, as Disney and Lucasfilm both know that they barely have to market this thing- people will see it anyways.
I say all this for one simple reason- after today's trailer, my hype levels are off the charts.
There's a new Star Wars movie coming out in just over two months, and wow, it looks utterly spectacular. After months of being cagey with details about Rian Johnson's 8th installment in the Star Wars franchise, Lucasfilm dropped the trailer during the halftime show of ESPN's Monday Night Football, the kind of trailer that will send shockwaves through the landscape of pop culture. It is everything I didn't know I needed right now, so let's dive in, shall we?
The Last Jedi has one major task- it simply cannot be a retread of The Empire Strikes Back. I hold firm in my belief that The Force Awakens is a good, if not great movie, but I'll concede that J.J. Abrams basically made a soft reboot of A New Hope. But I've always trusted Rian Johnson, the kind of director who makes fresh, original, exciting films. And even with all of the conflict at Lucasfilm, it appears that Johnson has made something truly incredible here, a visually dazzling spectacle with a compelling narrative and true emotional poignancy. After a very safe sequel that introduced us to a new cast of characters and the new landscape in a galaxy far, far away, it appears that Johnson has gone all out with the follow-up, creating the perfect continuation to the saga.
Here's just a list of my thoughts after watching the trailer three or four times-
-I love the emphasis on new locales and new vehicles in this installment. No desert planets or ice planets. Johnson has cities and mining worlds front and center. Good stuff.
-There's something dark in Rey's eyes when she swings that lightsaber. I'll elaborate later, but I think we could see her character take a really fascinating arc.
-The idea of a reluctant Luke scared of Rey's power is such a brilliant subversion of the Yoda-Luke dynamic that I can't even begin to imagine what else Johnson has in store for us.
-Kylo Ren remains one of the best interesting characters in the history of Star Wars, and I adore the little scene set up in this trailer where he hesitates to gun down General Leia. Whether or not this is actually something that happens in the movie or a feat of editing, I don't know. But it's great.
-Porgs! What more can I say? These little guys are awesome.
-Finn and Captain Phasma's little battle as the ship burns looks epic, and I'm glad to see that the conflict between these two characters is continuing forward.
-That shot of Rey being held and tortured in the air by Snoke is legitimately terrifying. Can't wait to find out more about that character.
To summarize my thoughts, I think the final scene between Rey and Kylo is indicative of the kind of film we're about to see. To me, that scene isn't some kind of shocking reveal or betrayal of Rey's character. I see two people who have been pushed to darkness by their hero, a man who has disappointed them time and again. They have been failed by the chosen one, and they're searching for answers that they can't seem to find. And I love this. I love that Johnson is going there. He's not playing it safe, he's taking us to a darker place while refuting the idea that complex material has to be "grim" and "gritty." This trailer is everything I wanted, and I cannot wait to see this thing.
My tickets have already been acquired. I'm ready. This could very well be the best Star Wars film yet.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi arrives in theaters on December 15. Tickets are already going fast, so scoop up yours soon! Also, check out the epic new poster that just arrived courtesy of Lucasfilm earlier tonight.
This movie is going to be amazing.
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