Every numbered Star Wars movie, ranked worst to best

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8. The Last Jedi (Episode VIII)

The divisive second chapter in the newest Star Wars trilogy split fans every which way: some loved it, some hated it. I would argue that, whatever people’s takes, The Last Jedi is one of the lesser Star Wars films because it doesn’t really feel like Star Wars.

The character journeys felt incongruous and unbelievable. I can’t be the only one who was outraged with Luke’s weird-old-man exile plotline, or Poe’s sudden inability to listen to anyone other than himself, or Finn’s aimlessness, or Rey’s Mary Sue powers that let her master the Force with hardly any actual training. Even setting all those gripes aside, the highly condensed chase plotline that forms the core of the movie made this entry feel like filler, and ultimately, underwhelming.

The Last Jedi isn’t without merit. Adam Driver is always a stand-out as Kylo Ren, the lightsaber battle with him and Rey is visually gripping, and Luke’s final astral projection scene is powerful and meaningful. You can give The Last Jedi credit for introducing some unique ideas into the franchise, at least.

Director Rian Johnson tried to do something bold with this entry in the Star Wars universe, but it felt a little too much like, “all those things you thought were cool about Star Wars? None of them matter, and here’s why.” The Last Jedi purposely tried to fly in the face of what it means to be Star Wars, and I don’t think it worked out in its favor.

After all, when J.J. Abrams, the cast, and some of the fans all agree that it wasn’t what they necessarily hoped it would be…that’s probably a sign, right?

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