That wasn't what I anticipated at all. - Whodunit? - Rian Johnson. - Why? - To deliberately challenge the conventions of another subgenre... and he succeeds! As polarizing as it was, my feelings about The Last Jedi were mixed; perhaps because I’m not a huge fan of the saga itself. Nevertheless, here's what I thought. The initial portion nearly lost me entirely: there were numerous unfunny jokes and moments that felt inconsistent with the characters, suggesting Johnson’s primary goal was to defy expectations above all else. However, the second half proved he is capable of bringing something fresh to the series, so effortlessly in fact, that I wondered why it didn't work as well earlier on. In Knives Out, Johnson didn’t just offer a new take on the ‘whodunit’ genre; he completely flipped it around. He did this not only by skillfully and gracefully playing with its familiar elements, but also by incorporating a surprisingly effective component: drama. It might seem like an obvious choice, but using it in this type of story feels genuinely groundbreaking—something I haven't seen before. The result is truly wonderful. Even though the central focus occasionally shifted away from the murder mystery itself, the intrigue never diminished even slightly. That’s a clear sign that everything functioned well and blended together seamlessly. There are many comedic moments throughout the film – which moves quickly – and I thought every single joke hit its mark perfectly. The movie also subtly weaves in what seems like a political message and provides pointed social commentary. Rian Johnson didn't just revive this seemingly tired subgenre; he also brought out new aspects of several cast members. I had no idea Chris Evans, known as Captain America, would be so effective playing someone almost his opposite; Craig is absolutely brilliant as Blanc, with his southern accent and exaggerated detective persona; and Jaeden Martell (from IT) is quite compelling as the eccentric Jacob Thrombey. Johnson also makes excellent use of the acting talents of Curtis, Langford, Plummer, Collette, and Shannon, particularly Shannon’s striking and intimidating presence. However, Ana de Armas truly stands out. She was good in Blade Runner 2049, but here, portraying what I now consider my favorite version of Pinocchio, she demonstrates that she is an exceptionally gifted actress who can express a wide range of emotions with just her eyes. I honestly believe she deserved an Oscar nomination! I’m genuinely surprised by how much I enjoyed this film. With Johnson's clever and well-crafted direction and witty—though perhaps slightly too structured—screenplay, it has become my favorite film of 2019 – even if it isn't the one I would give the highest rating to. Actually, you know what? This movie is terrible: it’s overly pretentious; its puzzle becomes unnecessarily complex; there are far too many plot twists; it doesn’t fully utilize its impressive cast; and it has numerous plot holes—or perhaps donut holes! Excuse me, I have to go now! (9.5/10)

Source on TMDB