Star Wars: The Last Jedi - 13 Audacious Moments That Have Divided Fans

One section of The Last Jedi which has come in for particular criticism are the scenes on the decadent casino planet Canto Bright. There's no denying these scenes do feel a bit extraneous, seemingly there to ensure the film meets its quota for showcasing exciting new worlds, whilst advancing the story arc of Finn (John Boyega) alongside newcomer Rose Tico (Kelly Marie Tran).

Given that Finn and Rose's big plan doesn't exactly pay off in the end, and Benico del Toro's enigmatic DJ doesn't prove as major a player as we might have expected considering the heavyweight casting, viewers may be forgiven for feeling Canto Bright only serves to pad the film's already excessive 153 minute running time.

That said, there is a lot of value to be taken from these scenes. For one, we get a sense of what life is really like for those oppressed by the First Order, and by extension why the Resistance's cause is important. This does take on an unabashedly political element, which seems to have angered some commentators, but it really isn't in any way contrary to George Lucas' original vision.

Even more so, these scenes - and Del Toro's DJ - serve to take The Last Jedi further into the grey area between the light and dark side, and explore themes that resonate in the real world. This is never more pointed than, when escaping Canto Bright on a ship stolen from an intergalactic arms dealer, DJ shows Finn that the First Order and the Resistance both purchase their fighter crafts from the same people.

The ugly realities of war profiteering, even in a galaxy far, far away.