The Last Jedi

The Last Jedi
Name	The Last Jedi
Director	Rian Johnson
Producer	Kathleen Kennedy, Ram Bergman
Writer	Rian Johnson
Starring	Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Lupita Nyong'o, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie, Kelly Marie Tran, Laura Dern, Benicio del Toro
Music	John Williams
Cinematography	Steve Yedlin
Editing	Bob Ducsay
Studio	Lucasfilm, Walt Disney Pictures
Distributor	Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Runtime	152 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$200–317 million

The Last Jedi. The 2017 epic space opera film is the eighth episode in the Skywalker saga and the second installment in the sequel trilogy. Written and directed by Rian Johnson, the film continues the story of Rey as she seeks the guidance of Luke Skywalker while the Resistance, led by General Leia Organa, fights for survival against the First Order. The narrative explores themes of legacy, failure, and the complex nature of the Force, challenging established mythologies within the Star Wars universe.

Plot

Following the events of The Force Awakens, the decimated Resistance fleet, under the command of General Leia Organa, is fleeing a relentless pursuit by the First Order. On the remote planet of Ahch-To, Rey attempts to convince a reclusive Luke Skywalker to return and help the fight, but he is haunted by his failure with Ben Solo and the creation of Kylo Ren. Meanwhile, Finn and Rose Tico embark on a secret mission to Canto Bight to find a codebreaker who can disable a First Order tracking device, leading to an alliance with the enigmatic DJ. The film culminates in a final stand on the mineral planet Crait, where a confrontation between Kylo Ren and Luke Skywalker provides a diversion for the surviving Resistance members to escape.

Cast

Mark Hamill reprises his iconic role as Luke Skywalker, with Carrie Fisher appearing in her final performance as General Leia Organa. Daisy Ridley returns as the Force-sensitive scavenger Rey, while Adam Driver portrays the conflicted Kylo Ren. John Boyega is Finn, a former First Order stormtrooper, and Oscar Isaac plays Poe Dameron, a hotshot pilot for the Resistance. The ensemble includes Andy Serkis as Supreme Leader Snoke, Lupita Nyong'o as Maz Kanata, and Domhnall Gleeson as General Hux. New additions feature Kelly Marie Tran as Rose Tico, Laura Dern as Vice Admiral Holdo, and Benicio del Toro as DJ. Supporting roles are filled by Anthony Daniels as C-3PO, Gwendoline Christie as Captain Phasma, and Frank Oz providing the voice for Yoda.

Production

Development began after the success of The Force Awakens, with Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy hiring Rian Johnson to write and direct. Principal photography commenced in February 2016 at Pinewood Studios in the United Kingdom, with additional shooting in locations such as Dubrovnik (standing in for Canto Bight) and the island of Skellig Michael (representing Ahch-To). John Williams returned to compose the score, while Steve Yedlin served as cinematographer. The production faced the tragic loss of Carrie Fisher in December 2016; her existing performance was used in full, with the film dedicated to her memory. Visual effects were provided by Industrial Light & Magic and other studios, creating extensive sequences like the Supreme Leader Snoke throne room and the battle on Crait.

Themes and analysis

The film delves deeply into themes of failure and redemption, particularly through the arcs of Luke Skywalker and Kylo Ren. It consciously subverts audience expectations regarding Jedi lore and heroism, questioning the legacy of the Skywalker family and the dogmatic teachings of the Jedi Order. The narrative emphasizes that greatness can emerge from any background, a theme embodied by characters like Rey and the stable children on Canto Bight. The relationship between the light and dark sides of the Force is presented as more symbiotic and complex, moving beyond a simple binary. The military leadership of Vice Admiral Holdo and Poe Dameron also serves as a critique of reckless heroism versus strategic sacrifice.

Release

The world premiere was held on December 9, 2017, at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. It was released theatrically in the United States on December 15, 2017, by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. The film was accompanied by a wide marketing campaign and extensive merchandise tie-ins. It was later released on digital platforms in March 2018 and on Blu-ray and 4K UHD formats in April 2018, which included extensive behind-the-scenes featurettes and director commentary by Rian Johnson.

Reception

The film received generally positive reviews from critics, with praise for its direction, visual spectacle, performances (particularly those of Adam Driver and Mark Hamill), and thematic ambition. It holds a 91% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, it proved to be intensely divisive among segments of the Star Wars fanbase, with criticism focused on its narrative choices, character development, and perceived deviations from series traditions. Commercially, it was a major success, grossing over $1.3 billion worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing films of 2017. It received four nominations at the 91st Academy Awards, including for Best Original Score for John Williams and Best Visual Effects.

Category:2017 films Category:American films Category:Star Wars films