“Darkness rises, and light to meet it.”
That eternal struggle between good and evil – between the dark side and the light – has been a cornerstone of Lucasfilm’s Star Wars franchise ever since Luke Skywalker walked out into Tatooine’s twin sunset. And when it comes to The Last Jedi, that feud will essentially boil down to two very powerful individuals who may have more in common than we’ve been led to believe: Rey and Kylo Ren.
Played by Daisy Ridley and Adam Driver, respectively, the Force-sensitive duo will be a big, big part of Rian Johnson’s sci-fi sequel, and we’ve even heard rumors that Luke Skywalker will be the one who pushes Rey toward Kylo Ren in the first place. Remember, Mark Hamill’s jaded Jedi has seen better days, so we can only assume that Rey and Luke’s relationship will get off to a shaky start when The Last Jedi begins. And that’s putting it kindly.
But before we get to all that in just a few days’ time, the first reactions for the pic are now in – as it just had its North American premiere – and as expected, the critics are in love with it. Though full reviews are under embargo until later this week, here’s the early word:
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#TheLastJedi is incredibly satisfying and hands down Mark Hamill's best performance as Luke Skywalker
— Aaron Couch (@AaronCouch) December 10, 2017
It’s AMAZING. Just amazing. Have a lot to process, but WOW. #lastjedi
— Ryan Parker (@TheRyanParker) December 10, 2017
THE LAST JEDI has more goosebump moments than any Star Wars movie I can remember. I was grinning for most of the 2 and a half hours. A worthy and great Star Wars film. The franchise is in great hands. Kudos to @rianjohnson
— Josh Horowitz (@joshuahorowitz) December 10, 2017
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Star Wars: The Last Jedi is everything. Intense, funny, emotional, exciting. It’s jam-packed with absolutely jaw dropping moments and I loved it so, so much. I’m still shaking. pic.twitter.com/fHddWjo201
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) December 10, 2017
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#StarWars: The Last Jedi is so beautifully human, populist, funny, and surprising. I cried when one POC heroine got her moment because films like these leave their mark on entire generations — and representation matters
— jen yamato (@jenyamato) December 10, 2017
#TheLastJedi is going to spark much more debate amongst fandom than TFA. It's good! But there's a bit more fat than we're used to in non-prequel Star Wars films.
— Da7e Gonzales (@Da7e) December 10, 2017
The Last Jedi is incredible. Character at the forefront, amazing action and so so so much emotional payoff decades in the making. I will be watching this one a lot. pic.twitter.com/KVOjLhwk27
— Eric Vespe (@EricVespe) December 10, 2017
#StarWarsTheLastJedi floored me. @rianjohnson and the team nail so much – thrills, laughs, heart and most of all, pushing the characters/overall franchise a major step forward. Some really rich material to explore in the future. Can't wait for more.
— Perri Nemiroff (@PNemiroff) December 10, 2017
Wowww #TheLastJedi So much to process/ think about. But I am FULLY in love w/ a character arc I didn't expect.
— Kara Warner (@karawarner) December 10, 2017
Star Wars: The Last Jedi is so very different, exciting, surprising. So many emotions, so many amazing moments. Stay away from spoilers.
— /Film (@slashfilm) December 10, 2017
Star Wars: The Last Jedi is a triumph. So many big moments, so much emotion, so much to digest. Had the whole crowd cheering and woah’ing.
— Kevin Polowy (@djkevlar) December 10, 2017
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There will be nitpicks, but #TheLastJedi is an excellent #StarWars movie.
— Scott Mendelson (@ScottMendelson) December 10, 2017
#TheLastJedi is absolutely fantastic – gripping, touching, funny and powerful w/ gorgeous shots and the most badass battles. When it gets going, holy crap does it get going. Hands down the best #StarWars movie since Empire pic.twitter.com/nWWAhlNMJo
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) December 10, 2017
Cannot overestimate just how gorgeous this film is. I salute you @rianjohnson – some of these shots are all-timers and then some
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) December 10, 2017
IT DOES NOT GET BETTER THAN STAR WARS THE LAST JEDI!!!!!!
— robliefeld (@robertliefeld) December 10, 2017
Massive congrats to my friend @rianjohnson for the dazzling writing and directing work he shared tonight! Yes, a great chapter of a blockbuster franchise, spectacular and unpredictable, but also his own voice shining through… kudos!
— Mangold (@mang0ld) December 10, 2017
#StarWars #TheLastJedi is AWESOME! I'm overwhelmed with all sorts of emotion on how incredible @rianjohnson's movie is! I can't wait to see it again. Also, PORGS!!!
— Umberto Gonzalez (@elmayimbe) December 10, 2017
THE LAST JEDI: A little too long & dragged in the middle, but great fun overall! As good as The Force Awakens; Rogue One is better! More humor than expected, great #StarWars moments, #MarkHamill is awesome! A worthy Episode VIII pic.twitter.com/HHihSa788D
— Scott Mantz 🖖 (@MovieMantz) December 10, 2017
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There aren’t enough words to express how much I LOVED #StarWars #TheLastJedi! It is mind-blowing! I’m in geek heaven! pic.twitter.com/unXfYMkIle
— Jenna Busch-Henderson (@JennaBusch) December 10, 2017
Impressed with #StarWars: #TheLastJedi. It makes some big, impressive and surprising moves that I definitely didn't expect. Not all of the plot stuff is exactly perfect, but the character work is once again fantastic, and it's just amazing to see Luke Skywalker back in action.
— Eric Eisenberg (@eeisenberg) December 10, 2017
I am STUNNED by #StarWars #TheLastJedi. I gasped, I laughed, I screamed, I cried and I had the time of my life. Rian Johnson pulled it off, making what might be the best Star Wars movie ever. pic.twitter.com/0VE5M90dsH
— Joshua Yehl (@JoshuaYehl) December 10, 2017
Guys. @rianjohnson has made the most epic, emotionally powerful @starwars film ever. Hands down. My strong advice is to be very wary of spoilers. The less you know about #TheLastJedi, the better. Bravo, bravo, bravo.
— Clayton Sandell (@Clayton_Sandell) December 10, 2017
Excited yet? We sure are! Granted, early reactions aren’t always indicative of how good a film truly is, but every single critic seems to have nothing but praise for the latest chapter in the Skywalker saga and these Tweets have certainly put a smile on our face. The buzz surrounding The Last Jedi for the past few months has been tremendously positive and now, with this first wave of reactions following in the same vein, it’s looking very likely that the franchise has another mega hit on its hands.
Tracking for a mighty $200m-plus opening weekend in North America – which would crown Star Wars: The Last Jedi as 2017’s biggest domestic debut – Rian Johnson’s sequel bows on December 15th. It’s merely the beginning of the director’s journey in that galaxy far, far away too, what with an entirely new trilogy in the pipeline beyond Episode IX as well.
