Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi (2017)

Rating: 8/10 (23 December 2019)

Directed by Rian Johnson. Starring Daisy Ridley, Mark Hamill, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Carrie Fisher, Kelly Marie Tran, Domhnall Gleeson, Laura Dern, Benicio del Toro, Andy Serkis, Anthony Daniels, Joonas Suotamo, Gwendolyn Christie, Amanda Lawrence, Lupita Nyong'o, Frank Oz. (PG-13)
Picking up shortly after the events of "The Force Awakens," the First Order is chasing down General Leia Organa (Fisher) and the Resistance (and fuel is running low) while Rey (Ridley) tries to convince a disgruntled Luke Skywalker (Hamill) to help the cause and train her in the ways of the Jedi. If Episode 7 played it safe, this one chooses to be bold and daring, its successes more magnificent (the best cinematic presentation yet of the fractious pull between the light and dark sides, a conflicted Luke struggling to bear the weight of his doubts and miscalculations, etc.) and its failures more galling (a few rather glaring plot holes, Leia's "Mary Poppins in Space" charade, etc.). A magnificent visual presentation, filled with kinetic action scenes and eye-catching photography, well-acted and driven by audacious ideas about razing the past to move forward and sparking hope through ultimate means. The final scene, however--far from the actions of the main characters--miffs its dramatic potential. Fisher passed away mid-production; the film is dedicated to her "in loving memory of our princess."
78/100