STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI (2017)

Featuring: Mark Hamill; Carrie Fisher; Adam Driver; Daisy Ridley

Director: Rian Johnson

Is Luke Skywalker really the last of his breed and will the ancient warrior order of the Jedi thus come to an end upon his death? This movie gives the answers to these questions.

Once again, the rebel base is discovered by the enemy and has to be evacuated in a hurry. And while fleeing to a new secret retreat - with Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) and the whole First Order fleet in hot pursuit - Rey (Daisy Ridley) must try and convince a very reluctant Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) to come and assist the resistance.

And with this we say farewell to two of the remaining original characters and cast members (apart from the Wookiee and two androids, that is). Luke dies in the movie and, of cause, Carrie Fisher (Lea) passed away for real shortly before the release of the film late last year. This was also not long after she made an appearance and received a standing ovation on the British Graham Norton Show. Mark Hamill, however, is still very much alive; its only his beloved character, Luke Skywalker, that will be no more.

I rate this eighth edition of the Star Wars saga at 3 out of 5 stars.

Trailer link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0CbN8sfihY

... fond memories...

 

STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS (2016)

Featuring: Harrison Ford; Daisy Ridley; John Boyega

Director: JJ Abrams

In a previous review I called the latest renderings of this movie phenomenon "Star Wars for a new generation". I think this description is quite appropriate seeing as Disney bought Lucasfilm, including the Star Wars franchise, in 2012. This first film in the "new" series therefor serves almost as a transition from the "old" to the "new". It also explains the presence of so many of the original cast members from the 70's and 80's films as well as all the fresh new faces.

 

In this episode a new threat to the inhabitants of the (far, far away) galaxy emerges in the form of the militaristic First Order. And since the Order of the Jedi dispersed more than thirty years ago, the leaders of the Republic (who are now regarded as rebels) realize there is only one person that can help with restoring the peace: Luke Skywalker. But since no one knows his whereabouts it falls on scavenger hunter, Rey (Daisy Ridley) and ex-storm trooper, Finn (John Boyega) to go and search for him. To aid them in their search, they enlist the help of an aging and not-so-quite-willing Han Solo (Harrison Ford). And to complicate matters even further they learn that one of the kingpins of the First Order is none other than the now grown son of Han and Princess Lea (Carrie Fisher) who somehow has gone over to the dark side.

It is rather interesting to watch how the aforementioned transition is implemented and executed in this film (which continues to culmination in The Last Jedi). Even though this is a totally new direction for the Star Wars saga, there are still enough familiar and recognizable elements carried over from the original stories to make it palpable to the most staunchest of existing fans. Moreover, in the same process I am sure it will create a whole new tech-orientated younger fan base.

I rate The Force Awakens at a respectable 3 out of 5 stars.

Trailer link: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGbxmsDFVnE

The family Solo...

STAR TREK BEYOND (2016)

Featuring: Chris Pine; Zachary Quinto; Simon Pegg

Director: Justin Lin

Star Trek must surely be one of the longest continuous running sci-fi series of all time. The first episode aired on television way back in 1966. That is more than fifty years! What makes this iteration of the franchise special, however, is that it is the last one in which Anton Yelchin appeared as Mr Chekov before his untimely demise shortly before the release of the film in 2016.

Whilst on a bit of R&R on one of the Federation's newest space stations, a distress call is received from a ship that appears to be trapped in a nearby nebula system. The Enterprise being the the only available vessel capable of deep space traveling, Captain Kirk (Chris Pine) and his crew are called upon to cut their visit short and go to the rescue. Little do they know that all is not what it seems and soon they find themselves caught in a battle for survival.

There is nothing special or new about the story but, as usual, the plot contains enough suspense to keep your eyes glued to the screen. This is the third outing for most of this particular cast and, as before, a stellar performance in given by everyone. Even true Trekkies will not be disappointed. An interesting little tidbit is that most of the street scenes of the space station was shot on location in Dubai. Apparently the city's architecture is of such a futuristic nature that it ideally lends itself as backdrop for a movie such as this.

I give it 3 out of 5 stars. 

Trailer link: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRVD32rnzOw

The crew on the bridge of the Enterprise with Anton Yelcin as Mr Chekov (second from left)

LOGAN (2017)

Featuring: Hugh Jackman; Patrick Stewart; Daphne Keen

Director: James Mangold

This movie is the final chapter of the X-Men's Wolverine. Or sort of. These days one cannot really tell if it is the end of something or not. Just think of the Star Wars / Star Trek franchises over the years. You never know what the movie makers will come up with next.

Be that as it may. Logan aka Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) hides out with Professor X (Patrick Stewart) in a junk yard near the Mexican border. The plan is that, as soon as they can scrape together enough money, to disappear into the Mexican wilderness for ever. But then a young mutant by the name of Laura (Daphne Keen) shows up on their doorstep and their lives are turned up-side-down yet again but this time fatally so.

Once again, as with previous outings of the Wolverine, it is very violent and bloody messy (literally) with lots of chopped off heads and limbs flying around. But if you are immune to that sort of thing (which I believe all fans of the X-Men are) you'll enjoy it. Like usual the action is fast and furious with a better than average story line. The plot has just enough twists and turns to make it not-boring but also not to complicated to follow.

I rate it 3 out of 5 stars.

Trailer link:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ny3hScFgCIQ

 Hugh Jackman in the different guises of Wolverine as he appeared over the years

CALL ME BY YOUR NAME (2017)

Featuring: Armie Hammer; Timothee Chalamet; Michael Stuhlbarg

Director: Luca Guadagnino

If you are a traditionalist, an adrenaline junkie or a couch potato, this movie is not for you. However, if you like your movies to be challenging or even mess with your head a little, this one will be right up your alley. I regard myself as being pretty open-minded but it took me a little while to get to grips with this little gem. I mentioned once before that, for me, the hallmark of an exceptional film is in how low it stays with you afterwards. And believe me, this one lingers...

Elio (Timothee Chalamet in an Oscar nominated performance) is a bright seventeen year old spending the summer with his parents at their family's villa in Italy. Enters Oliver (Armie Hammer), an American archaeology intern to Elio's professor dad. And immediately their is a spark between the boy and the slightly older man. The thing is just neither of them is gay. So how are they going to deal with their undeniable attraction towards each other?

In typical European fashion the pace is slow with events that unfolds like a beautiful flower. The unfamiliar feeling of forbidden love the two main characters experience is one that many can identify with. But director Luca Guadagnino handles what is a very sensitive subject matter with pure taste and grace. This is coming-of-age at its best and worthy of the Oscar for Best Adaptive Screenplay it recieved.

I have no hesitation in giving it 4 out of 5 stars.

Trailer link:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rgO_TyyOoU

Director Luca Guadagnino (far right) with Armie Hammer and Timothee Chalamet