Kinda crazy that this movie only came out a couple years ago. Seems like a lifetime ago but I remember hoping and feeling that this would be the first in a new era of modern blockbuster. Where singular artists would be trusted with massive franchises and be allowed to express their artistic visions no matter how controversial their direction might be.

Now, only two years later this is beginning to feel like the last time something like this will ever happen. The umbrella of Disney covers more and more and we are seeing fewer risks being taken. I'm seeing Rise of Skywalker tomorrow and it felt like the last opportunity to appreciate TLJ without all the studio ret-conning that's sure to happen in the next one.

Anyways, visually stunning, thematically poignant and genuinely heartwarming. The best Star Wars movie.