Star Wars: The Last Jedi – A Rewatched Quick Capsule Review

Star Wars: The Last Jedi – A Rewatched Quick Capsule Review

by Phil Hobden Quick Review

Phil’s Quick Capsule Review:
So the Last Jedi is good.  On balance it could well be the best true Star Wars film since Jedi and It’s fair to say when it delivers it knocks it out the park – The opening, Rey/Ren, The finale.  Even better watching it back on home video, the misses that bothered me first time around (The long middle section, Star Wars Casinos, the punking out of not one but two characters set up for great things but cast aside) actually made a lot more sense.  It’s still far to say that a better script could have made this up there with Empire, but even though The Last Jedi flirts with greatness it still doesn’t QUITE land it.  This all said it was a really entertaining film, with lots of surprises along the way and twists and turns you don’t quite expect that lived up to expectations and hype.  Hamill is great, Fisher gives one of her best performances and the support cast are mostly exceptional.  Where to next is anyones guess but the final film in this trilogy will have a hell of a job beating this. Recommended.

Best Bit: Finally! Lightsaber action!

Worth A Rewatch: Yes

If You Liked this Try: Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back , Rogue One : A Star Wars Story

★★★★★★★★★★

 

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Star Wars: The Force Awakens – A Rewatched Quick Capsule Review

Star Wars: The Force Awakens – A Rewatched Quick Capsule Review

by Phil Hobden Quick Review

Phil’s Quick Capsule Review:
The danger is always that when you hype up a film to such a degree that it can only ever disappoint.  And episode 7 its probably the most hyped film ever.  To live up to this hype It would have to be special.  It would have to deliver.  And you know what – for the most part it does.  The Force Awakens is the Star Wars films I wanted.  Great new characters, throw backs to the great characters of old, a simple story, intrigue, a great bad guy and a plot that doesn’t feed you every little detail.  It’s not perfect – far from it – BUT in spirit and execution this film delivers.  It feels like a Star Wars film. It looks like a Star Wars film.  It IS a Star Wars Films.

Best Bit: BB8!

Worth A Rewatch: Yes

If You Liked this Try: Star Wars: A New Hope, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back 

★★★★★★★★★★

 

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Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi – A Rewatched Quick Capsule Review

Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi – A Rewatched Quick Capsule Review

by Phil Hobden Quick Review

Phil’s Quick Capsule Review:
 Return of the Jedi isn’t the best Star Wars film.  That will always be Empire.  But it’s certainly the most watchable (and one I watched the most).  See Jedi is pure popcorn fodder – full of space battles, plot twists, ground wars and lightsaber fights.  The cast here are super comfortable, clearly loving  their roles (well maybe not Guinness) and proxy director Marquand delivers high action from the start. In this current version Lucas’ changes remain mostly in and around Jabba’s palace and still stand out like a sore thumb.  Like most of his additions they just feel so unneeded.  Other changes are okay but I think we all could do with out Hayden Christensen anywhere near this trilogy.  In short – despite Lucas’ best efforts to ruin his films, Jedi remains a perfect send off for the original trilogy. Fun, action packed and full of Ewoks.  Yes I went there… I love the Ewoks.  Thank god then in the end it was a trap!

Best Bit: Attack of the Death star 

Worth A Rewatch: Yes

If You Liked this Try: Star Wars: A New Hope, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back 

★★★★★★★★★★

 

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Podcast: Ross And Phil Talk… Thrones, Billions & Skywalkers! (Car Cast)

Podcast: Ross And Phil Talk… Thrones, Billions & Skywalkers! (Car Cast)

by RossAndPhil Ross and Phil Talk Movies The Podcasts

On this episode of the podcast Phil (on his own this time out) talks about Game Of Thrones, Billions, Rise Of Skywalker and the 90’s edits to the original (and still best) Star Wars movies.  Recorded in Phil’s car so please excuse the sound quality.

Hosted by Award winning filmmaker Ross Boyask and blogger/writer/failed filmmaker Phil Hobden.

Films Discussed: Star Wars: A New Hope, Star Wars:Return Of The Jedi, Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, Game Of Thrones, Billions, Star Wars: Attack Of The Clones

For more on Ross Boyask search @RossBoyask on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook. Also check out @EvoFilmsUK online.

For more on Phil Hobden check out www.philhobden.co.uk , Twitter (@PhilQuickReview) and Instagram (RossAndPhilTalkMovies)

#RossAndPhil #RossAndPhilTalkMovies #MoviePodcasts #Podcasts

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Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back – A Rewatched Quick Capsule Review

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back – A Rewatched Quick Capsule Review

by Phil Hobden Quick Review

Phil’s Quick Capsule Review:
The Empire Strikes Back is gritty, dark, challenging and bloody brilliant. Set after the events of A New Hope, it starts to put the pieces together that would form the core mythology at the heart of this franchise.  It’s a shame then that a LOT of those reveals have been ruined by the prequels.  Rewatching Empire the iconic ‘I Am Your Father’ moment becomes shrug rather than the fall of the chair moment it was before.  That said the film is still amazing (escape from Hoth, Cloud City, Fett and more) and even Lucas’ 90’s changes don’t ruin it too much. The Empire Strikes Back is, simply put, the best FILM of this series.

Best Bit: Hoth!

Worth A Rewatch: Yes

If You Liked this Try: Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Star Wars: Return of The Jedi, Star Wars: A New Hope

★★★★★★★★★★

 

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Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) – A Rewatched Quick Capsule Review

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) – A Rewatched Quick Capsule Review

by Phil Hobden Quick Review

Phil’s Quick Capsule Review:
Rogue One stands up REALLY well.  Also watched in order (before A New Hope) it ties together the story really well!  For me it’s now officially the 4th best Star Wars film.  Action packed with great, memorable characters, ample surprises and a convincing, driving narrative, this Star Wars story delivers on the promise despite extensive reshoots and rewrites at the latter end of production.  The effects are everything you’d hope for and the battles at times breathtaking.  Okay so not everything works well (see a few certain effects that break the uncanny valley) BUT this is by far the best blockbuster of 2016.  A must see.

Best Bit: WAR!

Worth A Rewatch: Yes

If You Liked this Try: Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: A New Hope

★★★★★★★★★★

 

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3: Star Wars: A New Hope (1977) – Phil’s Top 10 Films

3: Star Wars: A New Hope (1977) – Phil’s Top 10 Films

by Phil Hobden Hall of Fame Quick Review

Phil’s Quick Capsule Review:
Star Wars: A New Hope was my first major film crush.  It was unlike anything I’d ever seen before (Okay I as probably 4 when I saw it so that’s not saying much) but man 40+ years later it’s still one of the greatest films ever made. From the characters ( A princess, a rogue, a knight) to the set pieces ( escape the Death Star, The final assault, the duel), to the music, editing and everything else… its a film that doesn’t put a foot wrong and is impossible not to love. Star Wars: A New Hope launched a franchise, a media empire and redefined cinema for generations to come.

Best Bit: Escaping the Death Star

Buy, Stream, Avoid: Buy

If You Liked this Try: Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: The Return Of The Jedi, Star Wars: The Force Awakens

 

 

 

Hall of Fame

 

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10: Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991) – Phil’s Top 10 Films

10: Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991) – Phil’s Top 10 Films

by Phil Hobden Hall of Fame Quick Review

Phil’s Quick Capsule Review:
Terminator 2: Judgement Day is a near flawless action film and one of the greatest sequels of all time.  It takes the formula set out in Cameron’s original Terminator film and flips it on it’s head.  It was the second time Cameron would make a sequel better than the original and in the process would revolutionise cinema forever.  CGI was here to stay.  Cameron has never topped Alien’s & Terminator 2 and it’s not hard to see why.  T2 is pulse pounding sci-fi action from start to finish. In short: it’s bloody superb.

Best Bit: The viaduct chase

Buy, Stream, Avoid: Buy

If You Liked this Try: Terminator, Aliens, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back



 

 

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Hall of Fame

Star Wars Week: Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back (1980) – A Hall Of Fame Quick Capsule Review

Star Wars Week: Star Wars The Empire Strikes Back (1980) – A Hall Of Fame Quick Capsule Review

by Phil Hobden Hall of Fame Quick Review

Phil’s Quick Capsule Review:
The Empire Strikes back is quite possibly the best sequel ever made.  Not only does it expand what (at least felt like) a relatively contained story but also adds colour and depth to the characters whilst increasing the peril, action and tension. And that ending.  Before Infinity War and The Last Jedi, Empire Strikes Back was the original sequel to deliver the gut punch ending. It’s also worthwhile to note that until Disney arrived, Empire was also the Star Wars film with the least Lucas involved and it shows – rounded characters, lively script and a tight story (even if the timeline is a bit… dubious).  As flawless as a sequel could be.

Best Bit: Hoth

Buy, Stream, Avoid: Buy

If You Liked this Try:Star Wars Force Awakens, Star Wars A New Hope, Star Wars The Last Jedi

 

★★★★★★★★★★

 

HOF

 

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Star Wars Week: Rogue One – Quick Capsule Review

Star Wars Week: Rogue One – Quick Capsule Review

by Phil Hobden Quick Review

With Solo: A Star Wars Story out this week it felt a good time to revisit our previous reviews for the Star Wars films…

Phil’s Quick Capsule Review:
Rogue One is better than The Force Awakens.  In fact it’s now officially the 4th best Star Wars film.  Action packed with great, memorial characters, ample surprises and a convincing, driving narrative, this Star Wars story delivers on the promise despite extensive reshoots and rewrites at the latter end of production.  The effects are everything you’d hope for and the battles at times breathtaking.  Okay so not everything works well (see a few certain effects that break the uncanny valley) BUT this is by far the best blockbuster of 2016.  A must see.

Best Bit: WAR!

Buy, Stream, Avoid: Buy

If You Liked this Try: Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: A New Hope

IMDB Rating: ★★★★★★★★★★

 

Author: Phil Hobden