Can the rebellion survive?

Rating: 9/10 (9 April 2018)

The Republic has fallen and the First Order are on the ascendance. The latter have caught up with the surviving rebels and managed to track them through hyperspace. There seems to be very little hope; the only tiny chance is if they manage to deactivate the tracking system. To do that Finn and mechanic Rose Tico must rack down a master hacker and then head to the lead First Order ship to deactivate the system. While this is going on Rey has found Luke Skywalker to seek his help... something he seems unwilling to give because of what happened when he tried to train his nephew Kylo Ren, formerly Ben Solo, as a Jedi. Somehow Rey and Kylo seem to be linked leading her to believe that she can bring him back to the light side of the force; it will also bring her to Kylo's master, Snoke.
I know a lot of reviewers weren't too keen on this addition to the 'Star Wars' franchise but I really enjoyed it. There is lots of really impressive action and despite being almost two and a half hours long it didn't drag. I liked how it avoided the obvious in many ways; especially concerning the identity of Rey's parents. There are some flaws of course; without giving too many details it is hard to see how Finn and Rey survive when the hundreds of Stormtroopers surrounding them don't. There are a couple of other minor things but nothing the spoil my enjoyment. It was great to see Mark Hamill back for a substantial role as Luke has more than a tiny cameo. It was also great seeing Carrie Fisher as Leia, although it is bittersweet knowing it is her final role. The younger cast impress too; notably Daisy Ridley, as Rey; Adam Driver, as Kylo; John Boyega, as Finn and Kelly Marie Tran, as new character Rose. Overall I'd certainly recommend this to fans of the franchise; it delivers the spectacle we have come to expect without just being a rehash of 'Empire Strikes Back'... it will be interesting to see what happens in 'Episode IX'.