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Oh Yeah … I Saw “The Last Jedi” This Weekend (No Spoiler Reaction)

So I joined the hordes and masses this past weekend to watch the latest installment of the Star Wars franchise The Last Jedi.

Post-screening I tried to talk minimally about my reaction to the film for fear of taint in developing my assessment. That said, I am plugged in enough to be aware of the ‘buzz’ surrounding what is by and large seen as a mixed bag of responses.

It was something of a mixed bag for me too …

First to the things I did not particularly take to:

  • Kylo Ren – I have no time for Emo Sith lords. He is a bit of an emotional mess, isn’t he? I get that is the point of (he’s conflicted!), but it often comes across as a bit bratty-boy for my liking.
  • Snoke – Who Dis? I mean not to be TOO spoiler-y, but really? What was that all about?
  • The shifting perspectives – there is a part of me which commends the writer/director (Rian Johnson) for being able juggle multiple stories and settings, but at times it was jarring to the point of unsettling and distracting. In the best instances of ensemble pieces that I have watched, there is usually a central focal point that ties everything together. At least in the immediate aftermath of watching, this is how I felt. But now, in hindsight and with a few days to process, one can see where they are going with it.
  • The Mighty (Useless) Adventures of Finn – although it was fun to watch (mostly down to the performance of John Boyega), Finn’s storyline felt a bit aimless to me. It’s like the producers realized they had to make use of him and his character so they cobbled together some random, tangential journey for him that would eventually tie back to the main storyline, possibly.

Dang, as I write these words, they seem very harsh. I guess they are – to a point.

Because, with ALL that, I actually ended up enjoying the film, and here is why:

It is Star Wars – so of course you are going to get some pretty awesome space ‘plosions and various other special effects. Honestly, that is pretty good enough for me.

I mean there were some really exciting moments that left me with my mouth wide open and clapping for joy. And sure, maybe there were a twist too many, but the plot twists and shifts were mainly executed on point.

But I get it – especially if you are a fan who is wed tightly to canon and the established rules of the Star Wars universe.

This last statement got me thinking about a comparison to another box office busting Disney property (Marvel) and fans’ reaction to the cinematic interpretation. With the MCU, the creators seem to take several liberties with characterization, setting and plot points. And while some fans may not like every detail, there does not seem to be the same furor/outrage as I have seen in the reactions to The Last Jedi.

I have my own theory on that – and it goes all the way to the source, or at least my understanding of how each of the sources are managed. In the Star Wars universe (cinematic, televisual and literary) the rules are clearly outlined. In contrast, in the comic-based world of Marvel, there are various takes and incarnations on many of the characters we have to come to know and love. As a result, there is an artistic liberty that the filmmakers have here that they do not have in the galaxy far, far away. Just a hunch. Obviously this does not apply to all the folks that have been critical of the film, but for die-hards it is a distinct possibility.

I will leave you all with one more thing – at the conclusion of the film, I felt like a whole lot of story was resolved almost to the point of wondering what ground will be covered in Episode IX. I guess that is part of the mystery and surprise we have in store for us in a couple of years’ time.

So in summary, not the best in the series, but certainly not the worst. If you haven’t seen it already, I am sure you will enjoy it in some measure.

That’s all I have to say for now …

What did you think?

 

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November Wrap Up

Well, nearly a month has passed and have not posted. Frankly, my regular gig has really limited my ability to do all I have wanted to do in this space, especially over the course of the last month.

Not that I visited the cinema too much, but there are a couple of films which were released over the past 30 days I wanted to call out and recommend that you give a chance.

Thor: Ragnarok

In what I am assuming is the final installment of the Thor stand-alone films within the MCU, our Christmas has come early and we are given what I felt was the best of the series. If I am completely honest, this was not a major threshold to overcome; the Thor series has generally been the least anticipated single Marvel hero film series. Sure – I have seen the previous two films, but this was the first one I saw at the movie theater.

Directed by Taika Waititi, Thor: Ragnarok was a wildly hilarious and trippy experience that was simply a good time at the movies. And sometimes that really is enough, folks. Sure, there are likely details that my untrained comic sensibilities may have missed which serve the larger MCU story in whatever phase Marvel is in, but the highlight for me was the wonderful comedic timing on display by Hemsworth, Ruffalo and Goldblum.

In hindsight, my only regret was seeing Ragnarok in 3D. It really was not necessary. Even in two dimensions, the vibrant set design would pop off the screen. So if you miss seeing the film in the theater in the first few weeks (I assume it is still there), I say go for it and pay the price of admission. Or, better yet, wait for it to be released for home viewing. Either way I do not think you will be disappointed.

Next Up: BLACK PANTHER!

 

Mudbound

Honestly folks, there is no excuse for you not to see this. Over the Thanksgiving weekend, I told anyone within earshot that they must see this film, especially since it is readily available to stream on Netflix.

However, if possible, I recommend that you find a theater showing it and watch on the big screen. Not only is it a great show of support for the creative power behind the film (bravo, Dee Rees director of Pariah and Bessie), but it is also an opportunity to a “sweeping American tale” on a scale fitting its narrative aims.

Based on the novel by Hillary Jordan, Mudbound  is the story of two families – one black and one white – and how their lives intersect on a Mississippi plantation in the early-mid 20th century.

The visual imagery was stunning. As I watched the film at this year’s New York Film Festival, I was immediately taken back to the stories my mother told me about her early childhood growing up on a plantation in South Carolina. It really conveyed a sense of time and place and immersed the audience in that world.

With some fine performances from the ensemble cast, I have to admit that there are a few moments where the narrative dips its toe into the … how shall I say this … overly predictable/”trope-ish” moments. But nearly not enough times for me to tell anyone to pass on the film. In summary, there is enough there for you to walk away from Mudbound with a feeling of having watched a solidly made film you will have an emotional response to.

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That’s all folks! Onto December where I am at least guaranteed to see one film for sure …

THE LAST JEDI; ring a bell, anyone?

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Summary Thoughts on IT (2017)

So yeah, about IT. Well I saw it about a month ago and it is still resonating with me.

In general, I run hot and cold when it comes to the horror genre. Not an especially devotee of slasher/gore, I also do not take to many of the haunting psychological, other worldly horrors which are unleashed in many recent popular films (looking at you, Ringu). That is to say I do not actively seek it out or anything but I have enough of a passing interest to know what is on the landscape.

So I was aware of this film and my initial thought was “Why?” We already had a reasonably solid adaptation of Pennywise menacing a small New England town back when I was a kid. I will admit that at that time I had enough sense to bypass the miniseries although I do remember peeking into the living room as my dad (a Stephen King fan) watched on.

Enough about that … let’s talk about this version.

IT was not as ‘scary’ as I had anticipated, the horror was not such that I would stay up having night. But there was something about IT that did on occasion put the fright or chill in me. It was not immediate and something that I came to after meditating on the film in the hours and days after the screening.

What I was feeling was a sense of nostalgia about things that go bump in the night. Mine was recollection of the fright children (including me) often encounter, which is often the product or fully charged and furtive imaginations.

On the less terrifying side of this looking back, the film’s protagonists (in refreshing performances, I might add), are essentially my contemporaries, based on age and time in which this film takes place. So many of the references and artifacts of my childhood were conjured up and projected on the screen.

All of this to say, kudos to the production team for reminding me what a pleasure going to the movies can and should be. As an art form, the greatest achievement (IMO) is to be able to leave your audience walking away from your film with a variety of feelings, some rather common while others a little more personal.

In that regard and based on my experience with a nice handful of Stephen King screen adaptations, I would say that this is why IT is one of the more successful attempts, and in doing so, probably gets closer to nailing the author’s intent with this and many of his works. While there may be external forces which drive the fear and terror we experience, the real battle is very personal and internal. THAT is truly the stuff of nightmares.

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