Star Wars movie ranking after The Last Jedi

Credit: Lucasfilm; poster for Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2015)

3. Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)

Based on the divide between critics and fans, Rian Johnson’s contribution to Star Wars may go down as one the most divisive films in the saga’s history. It’s certainly the most subversive. More self-aware than The Force Awakens, it uses fans’ knowledge of Star Wars to completely upend their expectations–if not troll them outright–with a sly, gleeful wink.

Mark Hamill’s excellent performance as an older and disgruntled Luke Skywalker embodies this attitude. From the moment Rey hands him his lightsaber–which he then cavalierly throws away–he basically keeps telling her, “Get off my lawn.” (Or planet, in this case.) When he finally does teach her, his lessons are all about how the Force is greater than the Jedi, the Sith, and especially any “chosen one.” Through him, Johnson flat-out tells his audience to stop mythologizing and clinging so much to Star Wars’ past, and chart their own course.

The Last Jedi also deepens and evolves both Rey and Kylo Ren, and their scenes together radiate philosophical, psychological, and even sexual tension. It’s also a visually striking film, as Johnson uses cinematic techniques never used before in other Star Wars movies. The predominant usage of the color red in such scenes as Snoke’s (Andy Serkis) throne room and the climax on the planet Crait make what are already vivid, powerful moments even more memorable. There’s also a moment where a ship jumps into lightspeed that is both beautiful and terrifying, leaving as silent as the scene itself.

Not that this film doesn’t have its share of problems. While Poe Dameron (Oscar Issac) has more to do here than in Force Awakens, his otherwise great character arc falls apart under scrutiny. The side mission involving Finn and the newly introduced Rose Tico (Kelly Marie Tran) on a casino planet drags. Benicio del Toro as the codebreaker, DJ, is just odd. Those looking for answers to the questions raised by Force Awakens raised may not like the results. Also, what was up with that milk scene?

Daring, vexing, and controversial, at least by Star Wars standards, The Last Jedi succeeds in staying with you hours after it’s over. It also makes the late Carrie Fisher’s final role as General Leia seem that much more poignant. Still, it’s easy seeing why some fans are hating this film. Considering how The Last Jedi ends, there’s some unease, but excitement, over where the saga could go from here.