This is it - the one we've been waiting for!

Rating: 10/10 (14 December 2017)

The last jedi is not a usual star wars movie. It will not please the DIE-HARD-NOTHING-IS-EVER-GOOD-AS-THE-ORIGINAL-TRILOGY fans (as nothing ever will), but it will please almost everyone else. The force awakens presented a new vision of the Star Wars universe, but unlike the prequel trilogy (that had it's good sides), felt and looked like Star Wars. So logically, The last jedi continued down that path.
I will try and be modest and say that we are in fact facing the best Star Wars movie since The empire strikes back. Without that modesty (and with disrespect towards Episode V), I can state that this could be the best Star Wars movie ever made.
It is not just a great continuation of the story, it feels like a whole new segment in the entire SW cannon. Not only does it perfectly combine the story the prequels presented with the original trilogy, it actually showed us what the aftermath of all of those stories was. Herein lies the true emotional weight of the movie that is by far its strongest point. Also, such emotion driven story lines and the overall impact those emotions had on the viewer are unseen in any Star Wars movie to date. So, it fits perfectly within the now well established saga.
The acting is something that does not really change from the Force awakens. Ridley, Boyega and Isaac all execute their roles in fine manner and should be respected for it. But the ones that really stole the movie were Driver, Hamill and Fisher. Driver's portrayal of Kylo Ren in this installment has much more depth and most of his actions have a well explained cause. His persona is what we all wanted for so long - he is what Anakin should have been like in the prequels. He is a villain that Star Wars needs, now that the legendary Darth Vader is dead. Considering that is not an easy task, Drivers surgically precise and flawless portrayal is astounding. Hamill stole every scene he was in. Not is he is a great actor, he actually has a great understanding of what his character is going through. Even though it seems far from what he was like in the original trilogy, there are scenes, and a well placed cameo, that show us has he not changed much as a character. The same weaknesses and fears are still present within him, and whether we like it or not he is only human. Also, the way the movie ends is the most powerful and emotional scene in movie history (and I say that without any restraint). Fisher gave a much needed mother like and comforting character that highlights all of the Resistance scenes. She is a warm and emotional character, something of an Angel to all of the Resistance fighters. It is interesting that she understood that and portrayed Leia in what is surely the best portrayal of that character ever. As this was her final role, all that we can say is she will be remembered as one of the most heartwarming characters of the entire movie. Certain newcomers did a good job, had their fun but, honestly, nothing to really praise.
On the other hand, the direction and screenplay were ALMOST flawless. The way Johnson tells the story, perfectly cutting from scene to scene, giving us a decent (not great) sense of simultaneous development shows his skills as a director and a screenwriter (which is also shown in the perfectly fitted humorous scenes and dialogue). Unfortunately, the Finn part of the movie was a bit long, dragged and with questionable necessity. It's main problem was the fact it tried to say a lot in a short period of time, and resulted in feeling a bit overstuffed. Also, certain characters could have been developed more (e.g. Snoke, Holdo, DJ). Still, Johnson shows us exactly what all of us want to see, just the way we want to see it. It is clear that he understands Star Wars to it's very core.
Considering the music, I can only say it is the best work Williams has done in decades. Oscar worthy.
All in all, if approached with the notion that a continuation of a new saga is at hand and the fact that the original trilogy will never be made again, everyone will enjoy this movie to their very bone. If you disliked The force awakens, this could be the turning point movie for you. If you loved The force awakens, you will worship this movie. It does everything to respect the original trilogy, it recognizes the prequels' story, and it manages to tell it's own, developing a new and original one. Not many movies can do this, and a decent amount of respect must be shown.
May the Force be with you.