A Disturbance in the Force: Review of Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Director: Rian Johnson

By Alex Watson

Life in the galaxy rolls on and in the hands of Rian Johnson it still feels thrilling. Keeping the twists and turns coming thick and fast, there is also a heavy emotional core to Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Characters are forced to look inside and make some tough internal choices. Some Star Wars fans might gripe over its feel along with its more humorous and heavy-hearted approach. But you can't deny there is potential here and finally, this new batch of characters are beginning to come into their own.

The Resistance led by General Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher) is being forced to fall back against the might of the First Order. Low on numbers and morale, the only hope they hold is for Rey (Daisy Ridley) to convince reclusive Jedi Luke Skywalker (Mark Hammill) to return. Meanwhile, Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) is also fighting his own personal battle against his own conscience. 

Johnson wastes no time thrusting Star Wars: The Last Jedi into light speed. Starting with a thrilling dogfight which sees hotheaded but heroic Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) take on the First Order fleet and permanent sneer of General Hux (Domnhall Gleeson). This side of the story provides the unpredictable thrills of the story. Dameron along with former First Order trooper Finn (John Boyega)  and newcomer Rose (Kelly Marie Tran) are on a mission to disable an enemy tracking device. Dameron in this story emerges as the new Han Solo in the making- charismatic yet immature and brave yet ballsy. Always drawing the wrath of new commander Vice Admiral Holdo (Laura Dern), Dameron is both indispensable and a wild card all in one. The Kylo Ren/Ben Solo side story also holds its own as the conflicted Jedi is pushed and pulled by Supreme Leader Snook (Andy Serkis once again rocking motion capture) to embrace his evil side. Rey can still feel the human side of him but is he past the point of redemption?

The real heart of this picture comes from the unlikely alliance of Rey and Luke Skywalker. At first glance, this would seem like the movies Achilles heal. Not only does it succeed but it is by far the movies most glorious aspect. After the lightsaber hand over at the end of Force Awakens- Johnson makes this scene an unlikely moment of hilarity. Skywalker wears the ghost's of the past in this flick- scarred by his failure of his nephew Ben he at first stubbornly refuses to help Rey. However, the new protege never backs down and a caring and strong bond forms. As talented as she is with a lightsabre, Luke also greatly fears the influence of the dark side. Also during this time, a mysterious connection arises between Rey and Ren which could potentially alter the course of either life. Johnson during this sequence brings a tender touch which could bring big things in later movies. Of course, who won't enjoy the nostalgia of watching Luke board the Falcon after so many years?

While the Star Wars: The Last Jedi has plenty of ideas that hit, there also some that just fall flat. During an overly long sequence to rich planet Canto Bight, Johnson's movie comes a little unstuck. This whole plot device just feels added to draw out the mileage and becomes little more than a wild goose chase. Was the introduction of Benicio Del Toro's codebreaker DJ really necessary? This trickster comes and goes while making little impact or weight to the story. This is easily the strongest Star Wars effort since Empire Strikes Back, but Johnson is all about the changing of the guard. Seeing Carrie Fisher on screen for the last time will bring a tear to some eyes. Luke Skywalker along with many others are present but by no means are the focal point of the story. Some fans may not like the more jokey side or the almost video game like approach during the battle scenes. But you cannot deny that this franchise is at once with the force again.

Firstly it feels amazing to see Mark Hammill once again holding a lightsabre as Luke Skywalker. Turning in a career-high performance, Hammill reminds us why this character is so special. Playing a more jaded and afraid version of Skywalker, he shows a man unable to let go of the past. Oscar Isaac emerges as the new king of cool for this franchise. Poe Dameron is a man who plays by his own rules but is also the leader the Resistance desperately needs. John Boyega once again is superb as Finn and matches Isaac for strength of character. Daisy Ridley, however, is the real ace in the deck in Johnson's movie. Effortlessly looking cool with a lightsabre, Ridley is the picture's backbone. Able to handle the difficult of upstaging Skywalker, Rey is very much the franchises future Jedi master.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi brings new hope to the galaxy- just a shame Johnson won't be returning for episode 9.

Motor City Mayhem: Review of Detroit

Detroit

Director: Kathryn Bigelow

By Alex Watson

Tensions flare ferociously in Kathryn Bigelow's Detroit and from the opening frame, a city descends into anarchy. Reviewing one of the worse riots in US history, Bigelow is unafraid of showing the full horrors. At the centre, this is a picture of how lives get taken for granted when a city is out of control. 1967 Detroit is a place where the rules have disappeared and the effect of this will make audience members feel sick to the stomach by the movie's end.

In July 1967, during the third day of rioting, the Detroit police hear several gunshots from a window at the Algiers Motel. Quickly storming the building with bullets, officer's Krause (Will Poulter) and Demens (Jack Reynor) take control of the situation and line all guests up against the wall. Among the people persecuted are singer Larry (Algee Smith) and his buddy Fred (Jacob Latimore), returning Vietnam veteran Greene (Anthony Mackie) and security guard Melvin Dismukes (John Boyega). By the end of the night, lives will become irreparably damaged.

Furiously frothing away like a pot ready to boil over, Bigelow wastes no time in igniting the movie's revolt. When a raid on an unlicensed bar goes south, African-American onlookers quickly descend into looting and arson to vent their frustrations. This knife edge feel becomes unbearably claustrophobic almost immediately. Civil rights protestors are tired of feeling like second class citizens and the cops are fed up of the destruction. Officer Krause establishes himself as the primary antagonist, particularly when he casually shoots a running offender in the back. An abusive cop who makes full use of the chaos to play by his own rules. We are given time to both love/hate respective characters with Larry by far the most heart stealing. A talented singer for group 'The Dramatics' his dream gig gets pulled moments before he steps on stage due to rioting. This along with a series of unfortunate events send these different characters towards the Algiers Motel. You can sense the storm is about to hit, but you will not be prepared for the sheer force of it.

In one of the most sickening and horrific sequences of the year, Bigelow brings her audience right into the thick of a shocking violation. Physically exhausting and nauseating, this hour long experience is as close to a home invasion horror as you can get. After a prank involving a starting pistol started by pig-hating guest Carl (Jason Mitchell), Krause and co. descend upon the motel with a lust for vengeance. Honest and hard working security Dismukes also follows and his intention to do the right thing will land him a whole world of trouble. The sheer glee the officers get from threatening, repeatedly assaulting and shockingly even murdering guests is the most uncomfortable feeling imaginable. Detroit refuses to soften the blows and some audience members might want to hyperventilate into their empty popcorn bags. Krause acts as the sadistic judge and jury and the psychological torture he inflicts on the innocent people is like a fun game. The most stunning aspect to this whole thing is just how much people are willing to forget or overlook in the aftermath. Mark Boal's meticulously executed script shines brightest of all here.

Dismukes decline is possibly the most devastating aspect of Bigelow's movie. A security guard trying to act as liaison and saviour is looked down upon by both the cops who see him a siding with the enemy. Eventually, he will become an attempted fall guy. Those hoping for justice to be served and closure to be given are in for one hell of a ride. The third act is where this picture loses steam, even though our hearts are still racing uncontrollably. As the three cops and Melvin are thrown on trial for the nation to see- the steps taken to discredit and ignore the crimes that took place simply build anger and frustration. Overall 42 died and 1,200 were injured during the Detroit riots- in this picture the city is willing to overlook whatever transgressions took place and sweep this under the rug. Some characters are unable to look at life the same way again and after the trauma suffered it is little surprise.

The casting of this picture has been excellently done and Will Poulter is outstandingly evil as the baby faced Krause. A scene stealer whenever he appears, Poulter channels the joy he gets from playing his mind games. A bigoted and calculated cop, the riots have given Krause the chance to run wild. John Boyega is also excellent as the good intentioned Dismukes, giving us the same likeable charm as Force Awakens. A dedicated professional and wanting for everyone to be at peace, Dismukes is the victim of fate and being thrust into a no-win compromise is what seals his fate. Algee Smith is perhaps the most affecting performance as Larry. At first, a happy-go-lucky crooner about to hit the big time, his experience at the Algiers will send his life spinning out of the control.

Detroit is another example of just what an incredible filmmaker Kathryn Bigelow truly is. Few directors could have taken an event like this and shown the horrors in such unflinching details. Keep a spare heart for afterwards, you will need it.

The Force Will Be With You Always: Review of Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Director: JJ Abrams

By Alex Watson

You cannot express in words just how great it feels for Star Wars to be back on the big screen. JJ Abrams has brought the Lucas universe to life again in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Sporting the lightsaber battles and the powerful war between the force and the dark side, we have a reason to believe again. Giving us a good selection of our old and loved favourites mixed in with an interesting new batch of players, Abrams ensures there is a new lifeblood to carry things forward.

30 years after the collapse of the Empire, Luke Skywalker (Mark Hammill) has gone missing and has become like a myth spread among the planets. Finn (John Boyega) is a Stormtrooper in the newly assembled First Order who is having a conflict within himself. Rey (Daisy Ridley) is a scavenger on the desert planet Jaaku while Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) is the top pilot in the Resistance army led by General Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher). Together each of these characters will come face to face with Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and be witness to the uprising of the powerful First Order Jedi Kylo Ren (Adam Driver).

From the first frame, Star Wars: The Force Awakens simmers into life and the ride from there on is the most fun we have had in ages. Beginning with the First Order forces arriving on Jaaku, we are given a potent introduction to the dark side's new favourite, Kylo Ren. A forceful and lurking threat, Ren is very much a disciple to Vader who has not only been seduced by the Dark Side but absolutely loves it. As a villain though he is possibly one of the most impressive ones that the franchise has produced. Sporting a cold-blooded malice without equal, we get the sense that this one conflicted kid has firmly buried his old past. The new recruits are not given as much depth as we may have liked, but there is room to work with. During Finn's first battle, his horror behind the mask is felt immediately as he reluctantly commits atrocities. Finn is the best-developed lead of the lot and having being groomed as FN-1287 by the Order since birth, he is keen to break free.

Rey comes off less well in this piece and despite being a tough and capable female (along with skillfully piloting the Falcon), there isn't enough depth for this installment. Dameron with limited screen time comes across with an effortless swagger that remind us of a young Han Solo with an X-Wing. The taste may feel undercooked, but give it another installment these three may just transpire into something special. Having Han and Chewie back together again is something very special indeed, "Chewie, we're home!" smiles Han as he reboards his beloved ship. In this episode, the old smuggler is a shadow of his old self and still clings to his old reputation. His wisdom, however, is unbeatable and he becomes almost a surrogate father to abandoned child Rey. Luke is more like a ghost figure than man in Force Awakens and there are Alec Guinness-like echoes all around. Leia thankfully has formed into the leader we always wanted. She is scarred from her constant warring both at home and the past (spoilers to be withheld).

Despite blips in storytelling, Star Wars: The Force Awakens is still a fine piece of work. Abrams never fully explains the intentions of the First Order. They are big and evil and appear to mean business but just what does Grand Master Snoke (Andy Serkis) want? We are given an interesting duel for power between Ren and the sneertastic General Hux (Domnhall Gleason). Both men are wanting different kinds of power which leads to a mini civil war. Their ruthless streak, though, makes them the perfect heir to the Empire. Seeing them destroy several planets in 'one swift stroke' is a chilling prospect. There are some finer things lead that need to be ironed out, such as nailing a great lightsaber finale but there is a new hope surrounding this franchise. Best of all, there is no Jar Jar in sight fans.

John Boyega, Daisy Ridley and Oscar Isaac all prove they belong in this universe with a trio of decent performances. Boyega in particular in able to summon the courage and charm that Attack The Block promised us. Harrison Ford is the real tour de force in this piece and you forget just how well Han Solo fits him. Sweeping in without missing a beat, it feels like the old pirate never left us. Top honours, however, go to Adam Driver. Firmly filling the void that Vader left us, Kylo Ren is the most intriguing the Jedi have had to deal with in some time. A gangly menace desperate to escape his one loving past, Ren is very much a product of the Dark Side. Driver is able to give us a bad guy who doesn't just frighten us, but makes the film sag whenever he is off screen. The groundwork has been laid, now the cast needs to do the rest.

Finally, we get the 21st century Star Wars we have always wanted. Star Wars: The Force Awakens is not only a throwback to the original trilogy, but it is the start of something special. Disney might be taking the reigns now, but the force still lives on.