Funny, dark, and exciting middle trilogy story

Rating: 9/10 (19 December 2017)

I saw ANH in May of 1977 when I was 19. I think this is why I enjoyed TLJ much more than many of the other user reviews. I think younger viewers who saw the original trilogy or the prequels as children have different expectations that SW will stay true to an expanded universe canon. I don't care about any of that. The SW universe is a space opera with wild characters, villains and heroes, moments of distress followed by last second rescues, and a great score. TLJ has all these plus some better acting from Hamill and Fisher.
Like all SW movies this is full of plot holes, undeveloped characters, impossible physics, cringey dialogue, and story-stopping interludes; but not of that mattered to me either.
Just as TFA had parallels to ANH this has parallels to ESB. That gives the story a familiarity but it is still exciting and full of dark moments like in ESB. I liked the humor, the beautiful set pieces, space battles, 2 on 20 light saber battles, and the Williams score, I think it also sets up some epic action in Episode IX (but Disney, please don't blow up another Death Star).
I'm keeping this spoiler-free for those who are thinking about seeing it but are afraid to read the spoiler-filled bad reviews. If you are a casual to moderately interested Star Wars fan you will be entertained by The Last Jedi.