Most underrated film of the series

Rating: 10/10 (23 April 2019)

This is the most underrated film of the Star Wars Series. Why? Ok, let's see: First, the development of Luke Skywalker as a somewhat broken hero is very interesting and Mark Hamill's portrayal of this is actually very nice. Probably everyone who has watched the other films, me included, expected something different. While I was, at first, annoyed by this like many others, this development has actually grown on me: Imagine alternative versions of the story where Luke happily joins the Rebels once more and does great things from the beginning - wouldn't that feel kind of boring and, given the story of The Force Awakens kind of implausible. Just imagine an alternative version of Star Wars V where Yoda joins the rebels on Hoth - wouldn't that kind of make Luke superfluous? In the end, Luke manages to save the rebels some time with a very powerful force projection in a very powerful scene where he fights Kylo Ren, but only after he had to learn throughout the film that passivity, after all, is not the solution to the problems of the universe. Before that, we see two different versions of the final moment between Luke, as a teacher, and Ben Solo/Kylo Ren as his apprentice, one from the perspective of Luke and one from the perspective of Kylo Ren through they eyes of Rey - which provide some credibility to Luke's withdrawal from the world.
Second, Daisy Ridley as Rey is really, really great! Her dialogues with Kylo Ren (Adam Driver, also great!) via the Force are really intense and provide some variety to the tempo of the film. Also the scenes with Rey and Luke at times are funny as well as serious enough to provide room for both characters to be developed further. Also, the scene where Rey seeks answers in the well are well designed and acted and provide an appropriate feel of mystery.
What I don't care for is the opening "joke" with Poe Dameron and General Hux, but that is quickly forgiven as this sequence progresses with the introduction of space bombers and the excruciating scene where one after the other bomber is being destroyed. With this scene, the opening of the film already manages to provide a thrilling battle scene, which is apparently no easy feat, and there are many more to come in the film.
Also, the The Last Jedi is visually very convincing and innovative as well. Think of the scene where Admiral Holdo jumps into hyper-space in order to crash into the fleet of the First Order. Or, think about the battle-scenes on the salt-planet with red beyond a white surface culminating in Luke's battle against Kylo Ren or the lightsaber battle in the throne room. These scenes feel very intense as well, due to the convincing choreography (one can actually follow what is happening) and the impressive scenery they are set in.
In sum, Rian Johnson manages to tell the story in a way that feels intense - both emotionally with respect to character development and with thrilling action sequences. Also, he manages to bring some feel of mystery back into the force (also thanks to Daisy Ridley and Mark Hamill) which was largely absent from the prequels.