Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)

The critic praises Rian Johnson's direction for delivering a tidal wave of energy, emotion and spectacle in this eighth Star Wars episode, with gripping character-driven face-offs and surprising tonal shifts. Some convoluted military plot strands and an underwritten new character are noted as minor flaws amid the overall euphoric mythic belief.

The critic hails the film as thrilling and genuinely startling blockbuster filmmaking that flexes the Star Wars formula with surprises, strong performances and beautiful staging while respecting the saga's spirit. It singles out the inventive direction and emotional depth for praise.

The critic calls it the best Star Wars film of the series for its wit, visual spectacle and unexpected emotional power, crediting Rian Johnson's genre-bending skill. It highlights the dense, layered storytelling and devastating emotional moments.

The review calls it a triumph of comic irreverence and dramatic purpose that dazzles like the saga has not in decades. It singles out Johnson's confident direction and witty, wild approach for praise.

It is the most satisfying entry in the franchise since The Empire Strikes Back, blending Johnson's indie roots with blockbuster spectacle through rapid-fire trickery and narrative finesse. The film never lets up on its astonishing light-and-color show and cinematic ambition.

The critic calls it the most enjoyable and exciting Star Wars film in decades, the first flat-out terrific one since The Empire Strikes Back. He singles out its flowing unpredictability, emotional depth, and ability to deliver surprise alongside nostalgia.

An excellent middle chapter that propels the saga forward with wit, wisdom, emotion, and astonishing set-pieces while delving into themes of family, myth, and the Force. It is deeper and funnier than expected.

The new Star Wars is shockingly good, achieving a fusion of junkyard genre parts and passion not seen since The Empire Strikes Back. Rian Johnson pinpoints the intersection of characters' need to belong and the special effects that lift those longings into myth.

The film locates the middle-chapter Empire Strikes Back mojo with a brilliant psychic communion between Rey and Kylo Ren that makes the dark side's allure feel real. It sags in the middle but lands on an affecting point about preserving cultural tradition without rigid dogma.

The review praises the film as a valedictory middle chapter that delivers emotion, spectacle, and character complexity, particularly for Kylo Ren. It highlights Rian Johnson's skill in balancing seriousness with charm and humour to avoid a complete downer.

The film delivers expected Star Wars thrills alongside surprising story twists, character arcs, and emotional weight, though some middle sections drag. It belongs to Luke Skywalker and respects Leia while offering bold narrative moves.

The film is generally pleasing and loaded with action that satisfies franchise fans, though it sometimes struggles to give all characters meaningful roles. It features welcome humor and a vigorous score from John Williams.

The critic finds the film a satisfying, at times transporting entertainment with visual wit and a human touch. She singles out Adam Driver's raw performance as Kylo Ren for delivering a potent portrait of villainy as a choice.

The review highlights one mysterious, inspired central sequence but faults the film overall as calculated fan service and conformity. It criticizes the plotting as compulsory and the storytelling as chillingly consensus-driven rather than personal or innovative.

The critic finds the film one of the strongest entries in the series, delivering maximum fun through brilliant action sequences, state-of-the-art effects, and strong character development for both new and returning players. They single out the poignant final screen presence of Carrie Fisher as Leia, along with the showcase for Mark Hamill as Luke and the complexity given to Adam Driver's Kylo Ren.

The critic calls it the best Star Wars film since The Empire Strikes Back and praises how Rian Johnson upends expectations while delivering surprising moments and strong performances.

Calls it a wonderful, generous blockbuster that revitalizes the franchise with invention, heartfelt storytelling, and strong character work while honoring its past and future.

Praises the film's bold subversion of expectations, strong visuals, and standout performances while noting it takes chances with humor and themes. Criticizes pacing issues and a weaker subplot on Canto Bight.

The critic praises Rian Johnson’s film for adding needed ambiguity to the Star Wars universe and boldly taking the series in unexpected new directions while subverting nostalgia. It singles out the compelling dynamic and chemistry between Rey and Kylo Ren, along with the film’s visual poetry in its action sequences.

Mixed verdict on a film with thrilling highs in the Rey-Kylo dynamic, parentage reveal, Snoke's death, and throne room fight, but disappointing lows in the pointless Finn-Rose subplot and other elements.