The Last Jedi Brings the Weird Pleasures of Star Wars Back to the Multiplex

Rating: 10/10 (16 December 2017)

Although Abrams and Kasden did the heavy lifting, setting the new trilogy on an exciting new path, Rian Johnson may have had the most challenging role to date-writing the screenplay and directing the sequel that matches our expectations of Empire Strikes Back, probably the most highly regarded film in the whole franchise.
Rather than drawing the same plot structure, per se, he looked to Empire for inspiration tonally. He needed to write a story that brings these characters to the edge of what they think is possible, including those still alive in the original cast.
Within the familiarity of the archetypes, comes a lot of quirkiness. There are the porgs. There are all the other fun creatures that beautifully inhabit the various planets where battles ensue. There's the witty banter as people young characters try to be heroic, with mixed results.
And there's Luke's character, thirty-years older, but with some surprises up his sleeve.