Review: Star Wars Episode V111: The Last Jedi (12A)

As the end credits roll on Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi, replete with a poignant on-screen tribute to 'our princess Carrie Fisher', a bell tolls on nostalgia-steeped memories of George Lucas's epic space saga.
NOSTALGIA. Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker in The Last Jedi.  PA Photo/Film Frames Industrial Light & Magic/Lucasfilm Ltd.NOSTALGIA. Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker in The Last Jedi.  PA Photo/Film Frames Industrial Light & Magic/Lucasfilm Ltd.
NOSTALGIA. Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker in The Last Jedi. PA Photo/Film Frames Industrial Light & Magic/Lucasfilm Ltd.

If The Force Awakens crammed everything fans love into one giddily entertaining origin story, the next chapter directed by Rian Johnson accelerates towards a different kind of Star Wars experience. The Last Jedi doesn’t sever ties completely with the past – there are reverential bows to A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back, and Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher confidently bear the film’s emotional weight to heart-tugging effect.

The balance of power is delicately poised as Rey (Daisy Ridley) implores island recluse Luke to stand with his sister General Leia Organa (Fisher) in the war against Supreme Leader Snoke (Andy Serkis) and his vengeful protege, Kylo Ren (Adam Driver). Leia attempts to rein in reckless X-wing fighter pilot Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) as the rebels are stalked by General Hux (Domhnall Gleeson) and the might of the First Order. Meanwhile, stormtrooper Finn (John Boyega) and rebel crew member Rose Tico (Kelly Marie Tran) embark on a secret mission.

Some big questions that lingered at the end of Episode VII are answered, others remain tantalisingly out of reach.

On general release