Director: Rian Johnson
Cast: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Kelly Marie Tran, Gwendoline Christie, Laura Dern, Benicio Del Toro
Plot: While Rey tries to convince a disillusioned Luke Skywalker to train her in the ways of the Jedi, the Resistance under General Leia's leadership flees from the First Order's attacks.
Review: The Force Awakens was a huge success for the Star Wars franchise, even though some fans called it a repeat of A New Hope. Thus director of The Last Jedi, Rian Johnson had a huge task ahead of him to top that feat.
In some ways, The Last Jedi almost feels like The Empire Strikes Back, and I mean that as a compliment. But more importantly, Johnson expands on the Star Wars universe a little by introducing a few new things while making time to bring back a couple of iconic elements from the past. He deftly balances the fun factor of the franchise and the seriousness of the ongoing war, thereby making the entire experience truly entertaining.
The film is basically divided into two stories; the first featuring Rey and her training with Luke Skywalker, who isn't quite the same farm boy turned hero everyone knows from the past, and the second about the Resistance running from the First Order. This passive move from Leia's substitute Holdo doesn't go well with Poe Dameron, who enlists Finn and mechanic Rose to find a way to save the Resistance. And in between all this, Kylo Ren's conflicted emotions come to a head as he and Rey share a connection of some kind.
Everyone in the cast hits all the right notes, with veterans Mark Hamill and the late Carrie Fisher leading the way. Fisher puts in a subtle but memorable final performance as Leia, while Hamill is superb as the disillusioned Luke who has to find a way to redeem himself over failing his student. Daisy Ridley, Oscar Isaac and John Boyega continue to impress as Rey, Poe and Finn respectively, with newcomer Kelly Marie Tran providing solid support as Rose. Tran scores in a scene where she explains her motivations to Finn. Adam Driver fares better here than the last time as Kylo Ren, having much more to do and thus more opportunity to show his acting chops. Finally, Benicio Del Toro gives an eccentric performance as DJ, a criminal who helps Finn and Rose during their mission.
If there's one thing that I can complain about The Last Jedi, it's the length. Johnson gets carried away a little with an extended third act that features two battles between the Resistance and the First Order, though he makes up for it by making both of them look extremely good on screen.
All in all, The Last Jedi is truly one of the best Star Wars entries yet. Don't let the small group of haters sway you. If you're a fan, or a casual movie fan who has followed this saga from the beginning, you have to see it. (9/10)
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