Personally, I don’t go to a new Star Wars movie each year expecting to have my world rocked the same way it was when I was ten, like seemingly every other film geek of my generation, because that simply isn’t possible. I’d be disappointed every time if that was my expectation. When I was ten, everything about the experience of Star Wars was brand new. But I’m fifty now. I’ve got more than my ten thousand hours in. I understand mythology and human nature in a way I didn’t then. I have an expert’s understand of the history of cinema and the art of storytelling. And I’ve seen a million other stories told on screen, which I hadn’t then. So what I expect from a new Star Wars movie is simply this: To be reminded for a few hours what it was like to feel ten years old. That’s it.
Guess what: I’m never disappointed. And I was certainly not disappointed last night.
Naturally, I’ll review the film in greater detail on Blu-ray and 4K early next year. In the meantime, here’s my quick non-spoiler take on Star Wars: The Last Jedi. I liked it a great deal. More than The Force Awakens, which I also enjoyed. There are many great and satisfying character moments, and a couple truly stunning moments. Yes, there are a few nits that one could pick, but there always are. The thing I appreciated most about this film is that so much of it feels unexpected. I was surprised by things. That’s no small thing. I also think it’s a little difficult to get a full sense of this film because I believe that Episode IX is needed to do so. As was the case with the Original Trilogy, Return of the Jedi was needed in order to see Empire in its proper perspective. On the whole, though, The Last Jedi is a pretty wonderful experience and another great visit to a galaxy long ago and far away.
More than anything, I really appreciate the chance to briefly feel like a ten-year-old each Christmas. I hope I never lose touch with that. And I hope the same for each of you.
See you Monday. Peace out!
- Bill Hunt
(You can follow Bill on social media at these links: Twitter and Facebook)