‘The Last Jedi’ invites reflection on our own struggle with the dark side

It's a joy watching movies that take themselves very seriously despite having fantastical elements, and the Star Wars films are a clear example of this.

Beyond all the drama, political intrigue, and the stress-inducing work and traffic we face daily, "Star Wars" allows us to escape and introspect on such things as the constant struggle between good and evil and how one's talents can be channeled and used to affect society as we know it.

“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” was a gamble that paid off big time for Disney after acquiring the the license and properties owned by Lucasfilm. The new "sequel trilogy" gave us new heroes and adventures to follow, while also revisiting some familiar icons. 

Chief among these is the return of mainstay and beloved characters such as Luke Skywalker, played once again by Mark Hamill, who acts as something akin to a mentor to the saga’s new heroine Rey (Daisy Ridley) as she tries to figure out what her purpose is in life. 

It is this relationship that charts a new course of hope for the galaxy as the all but defeated Resistance mounts a desperate attempt to stop the tyrannical reign of the First Order, whose imposing forces cast a dark shadow over the galaxy.

Mirroring Rey’s journey of self discovery is the emotional struggle and search for identity of Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), the young antagonist of the new saga that seemingly embraces the dark side and casts out any trace of the light within him.

The temptations to give in to our selfish desires and anger are pretty much what we all have inside when we get frustrated at things beyond our control — work, traffic, personal problems, et cetera. We all struggle with something, but it is our choice whether to walk towards the light or give in to the darkness.

As "The Last Jedi" tells the story of the hope and the struggle each character faces, it echoes something we see everyday in our daily lives and shows how much it matters to take a step back and reflect before making a decision that could affect us in the long term.

As Christmas approaches and we look towards a new year filled with new prospects and promises, perhaps The Force can guide us to make new resolutions and restore the balance within ourselves.

"Star Wars: The Last Jedi" starts playing in theaters on December 13 and is distributed by The Walt Disney Company (Philippines). — AT, GMA News