Surprisingly funny addition to this trilogy

Rating: 8/10 (26 December 2017)

Never has a sequel to The Force Awakens been more eagerly anticipated as this one, if only for the answers to some questions.
Last Jedi opens with the familiar 'what has happened so far' and straight into a space battle: this time, between the growing totalitarian First Order, who are trying to re-establish the Empire in the galaxy once again, and the Rebellion who are trying their damn best to stop it happening. Loads of action in the first 20 minutes with General Leia pitting her wits against the orders of Supreme Leader Snoke. Some humour too as Oscar Isaac's ace pilot teases General Hux.
Very little seems to have moved on in this saga. Rey has gone in search of Luke Skywalker, now playing Jedi hermit to try and persuade him to come back and help the Rebellion, which he refuses to do. She also wants him to give her some answers (the usual ones - who are her parents and why is she strong with the Force and what should she do about it) and maybe train her in the ways of the Force. Although Skywalker does reluctantly show Rey something of the Force, he doesn't decide to train her, despite her being v strong with it.
In the background, Finn finally wakes up from his coma. He also realises that the Rebellion are in more trouble than ever and tries to get away from that and find Rey to warn her, but instead gets roped into some crazy scheme to get onboard a First Order cruiser and disable something to help the Rebellion escape.
It is at this point that the story does the same as Empire did and splits off into different sections. We have Rey and Skywalker, General Leia and Poe and Finn and friend on a mission. In the midst of all of this, is Rey's link with Kylo Ren which is exploited or created by Snoke and Ren's overwhelming desire for revenge. There are one or two familiar moments. Ren's wearing of a helmet and his occasional bouts of temper, Finn's ability to throw a spanner in the works in almost every moment and Rey, who seems to be getting more comfortable with her abilities as she goes on, bar a few odd moments.
The big stand-out in this movie is Mark Hamill, reprising his role as Luke Skywalker, hero of the Rebellion and wannabe Jedi Master who has gone into exile on a remote island being looked after by strange 'keepers' and admitting defeat after trying to train Ben Solo/Kylo Ren to become a Jedi. Fearful of having created a monster, he has become disillusioned and refuses to either get involved with the Rebellion anymore or train Rey. It is also about General Leia who maintains a quiet dignity throughout the film as the movie leaves more questions than answers.
I enjoyed it. There is more than enough action and flashes and bangs going on to satisfy the most ardent fan and more than enough faux mysticism for the Jedi wannabes out there.