Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi: Legendary

While this is a technically flawless edit, as usual, it just doesn't go far enough for me in a few areas. Leia's spacewalk is the big one, as is the absurdly video-gamey Finn/Phasma duel.

If you mostly liked TLJ as is and want a very light edit, this is 100% what you should go for, but if you disliked or especially hated the movie, this isn't going to be the edit for you.

But don't take that as a slight against Hal as an editor - TFA Restructured is still the best TFA I've seen, and his prequels are top-notch! He just liked TLJ more than I did, that's all.

The details have already been covered well. For me the biggest help has been the big trims, mainly the Finn/Rose storyline and the casino. Those distracted and dragged the whole movie down. Now pacing is great; things move along and it's an enjoyable storyline. I'm not sure how to resolve Leia's spacewalk, and that's really the only weird hitch in the move for me now.

There isn't much I can add to what others have said. The editing, both video and sound, are topnotch with neither having any obvious cuts/transitions. PQ and SQ are excellent, and the pacing of the edit works well. Hal is right that this is a fairly conservative edit, but I do wish he'd taken a few more liberties. I realize moments in films are subjective, but the big four that bother me that remain: Luke milking that large alien, flying Leia, Rose kissing fin, and the final scene of the boy going to clean the hanger. If these had been removed I would have easily given this edit a 10 out of 10.

I made a new review about V2. Look at that one.

The Last Jedi's Thematic expansion on the entire saga up to this point is incredible, and those who complain that it's "not in line with George's vision" are fooling themselves. The problem is, this theme of the past dying so the new can take hold isn't exactly noticed when there's these distractions that pull us away from it.

Thankfully, they're removed seamlessly here. I won't go into much detail, because I'd just basically be describing the same movie. I will say I never noticed the incredible arc of Poe's character before, or the incredible subtle aspects of Ren's arc, because the non-thematic nature of certain scenes Johnson didn't know how to cut distract us from them. (which I should say is more the fault of SCHEDULING DEADLINES for these kind of blockbuster films creating enough stress of management he might not have had time to perfect it to a Tee, so I don't blame him and I never will. This is very much still his film, if not moreso now thanks to HAL9000)

The only real issue I have with this edit, and it's only a nitpick but a symbolic one nonetheless, is that the last scene feels less meaningful now. I still get its purpose and strength, but by cutting the earlier scene that sets it up it just seems to have less pre-established weight. The basis for the Rebellion inspiring this kid is a bit lost without a scene to establish the hope they LITERALLY gave to him by giving him the ring. It still has thematic power and perfectly closes the thematic arc of the film, just with slightly less emotional weight than before.

But this is a nitpick... JUST LIKE EVERY COMPLAINT AGAINST THIS FILM:
Glorified Nitpicks.

Which is why you wisely chose not to take out the film so much as things Johnson didn't have time to take out of the film with artistic foresight himself. He had almost 4 hours of content to edit in a little less than 6 weeks, and when you can do better THEN you can criticize him. This cut is now closer to his vision.

Bravo, HAL9000
~Silver Screen Samurai~