The force is still strong with this one: Review of Star Wars -The Last Jedi

The Force is still strong, even four decades on.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi — the eighth installment since George Lucas first began telling this tale set in a galaxy far, far away — sees the new breed of young rebels from …The Force Awakens (2015) continue their epic struggle against the dark side.

Rian Johnson (Looper), taking over from director JJ Abrams, transports the viewer back to a world of intergalactic heroes, wondrous creatures and dazzling light-sabre duels.

The General spearheading the rebellion (the late Carrie Fisher, to whom the film is dedicated) is determined to save her spaceship and its crew from annihilation; the orphaned former scavenger (Daisy Ridley) must persuade the exiled Jedi (the ever-impressive Mark Hamill) to rejoin their cause.

Meanwhile, Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), the apprentice to the film’s big bad villain Snoke (Andy Serkis, in another formidable motion-capture performance) is riddled with doubt over the choices he has made. He must decide, will he redeem himself or revert to his villainous ways?

Strong new characters include a loyal mechanic-cum-fighter pilot played by Kelly Marie Tran, seen here with John Boyega, who plays the stormtrooper-turned-rebel Finn.

Strong new characters include a mercenary code-breaker (Benicio Del Toro) and a loyal mechanic-cum-fighter pilot (Kelly Marie Tran).

In one of the film’s most touching sequences, the wizened Jedi master Yoda (voiced, as always, by Frank Oz) makes an appearance.

Johnson makes good use of sudden silences. A rousing music score by the veteran composer John Williams adds to the impact of the film.

From a cinematic point of view, what’s especially engaging is the constant criss-crossing between three parallel narrative strands.

…The Last Jedi is awe-inspiring and poignant. Expect to be riveted, despite its runtime of two-and-a-half hours.