Book Review: The Last Jedi: Expanded Edition

The Last Jedi: Expanded Edition

Written with input from director Rian Johnson, this official adaptation of Star Wars: The Last Jedi expands on the film to include scenes from alternate versions of the script and other additional content.
 
From the ashes of the Empire has arisen another threat to the galaxy’s freedom: the ruthless First Order. Fortunately, new heroes have emerged to take up arms—and perhaps lay down their lives—for the cause. Rey, the orphan strong in the Force; Finn, the ex-stormtrooper who stands against his former masters; and Poe Dameron, the fearless X-wing pilot, have been drawn together to fight side-by-side with General Leia Organa and the Resistance. But the First Order’s Supreme Leader Snoke and his merciless enforcer Kylo Ren are adversaries with superior numbers and devastating firepower at their command. Against this enemy, the champions of light may finally be facing their extinction. Their only hope rests with a lost legend: Jedi Master Luke Skywalker.

Where the action of Star Wars: The Force Awakens ended, Star Wars: The Last Jedi begins, as the battle between light and dark climbs to astonishing new heights.

As I sit here having just read the Jason Fry novelisation, I realise my The Last Jedi experience has come full circle. The movie left you with questions, like almost all second parts of a trilogy do. This novel goes in some way to finding the answers, but also gives us extensions to scenes that could have had more characterisation in the film.

I’ve always enjoyed Jason’s work in the Star Wars universe. Like many of those that have come before him, he has worked on the novelisation with the director and the script of Episode VIII to tell the narrative in novel form. I found it a fun but quick read, extending scenes that now feel far more fulfilling, and also some humour that plays out better here.

If you’re looking for answers to questions you didn’t find in the movie, you won’t find them in this adaptation. If you’re wondering who Rey’s parents really are, or who Snoke is you won’t get anything in that way. What you will get, like any good novel, is a deeper dive into the thoughts of the characters themselves.

The scenes that stood out for me:

◦ The Force link between Rey and Ren plays out much better in a novel form, getting more into the thoughts of the characters and their confusion of what is happening.

◦ Luke’s reluctance is also better realised here, like a grumpy old man not ready to do anything but the simple chores he does day in and day out

◦ How Snoke perceives and uses his underlings is given a bit more breathing room, although I think it was given enough time in the film. Like Palpatine, characters like Snoke should never be over used

◦ The flashback to Ben Solo and Luke’s confrontation in the Temple days plays out better here in its Rashomon like way.

◦ We get many of the deleted scenes which we will most likely get in the soon to be released Blu-Ray and digital release.

I’m keen to listen to the audiobook version of this novel, as the excellent Marc Thompson has worked on it. I’ve enjoyed his work on Star Wars. Definitely check out the novel, it doesn’t add anything massively different from Rian Johnson’s film but it’s an entertaining read, and fills out areas in the film to give you a fulfilling Star Wars novel.