Star Wars: The Last Jedi Review - 8 Ups And 1 Down

1. Kylo Ren And Rey

There was a big moment in the trailers that got everyone talking, when Kylo Ren seemingly reaches out and offers a hand to Rey. It was a misdirect in that clearly they were different scenes, but the story it was telling had plenty of truth in it.

This film belongs to Rey and Kylo Ren. They're two sides of the same coin: a wannabe Jedi and a would-be Sith; children who felt lost or forgotten, wanting to find their place in the world. The Last Jedi does a stunning job of mirroring their two character arcs, and the movie is at its absolute best when the two are connected one way or another.

Daisy Ridley isn't the strongest performer in the cast, but she's easily likeable as Rey, and once again does a great job of conveying her sense of confusion and longing about wanting to know who she is and where she belongs, with plenty of charm, conflict, and when required, badassery.

Even better is Adam Driver's Kylo Ren. He's already established himself as an actor of supreme talent, and his gifts are on full display here. There's a burning intensity to most of his scenes, and he really gets to the complexities of his character. He's torn, angry, hurt, scared, and immensely powerful, and all that comes through in a fascinating, layered performance from Driver. He's an imposing figure with a face you never want to look away from, capable of commanding the screen with just an expression, and he further establishes Kylo as a great Star Wars villain.

While they're both strong though, it's much more special when they're together. It feels fresh, exciting, tense, emotional, and you cannot wait to see what will happen next. This movie cements them as the heart of this new trilogy, and it's a decision that gives the film some of its greatest scenes and sets up the next stage wonderfully.