Star Wars Episode VIII: the Last Jedi

Rian Johnson (2017)

145min

12A Certificate

Review

Our Score

by Alan Jones

Rey (Daisy Ridley) must convince self-exiled "last Jedi" Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) to train her in the ways of the Force in writer/director Rian Johnson's smart, sharp and witty continuation of the Star Wars saga. Sporting dazzling special effects work, a harder edge, blazing action and a story that is split across the galaxy, Johnson's film - the eighth in the saga - offers the franchise an extra epic dimension. Its key theme is summed up by Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) when he growls "let the past die", as The Last Jedi forgoes the nostalgia of previous instalment The Force Awakens to instead forge new narrative flight-paths. Johnson develops all of his key characters in the process, including Oscar Isaac's previously one-dimensional "flyboy", but this is Driver's finest hour as the grimly conflicted Kylo. He serves under creepy mo-cap baddie Supreme Leader Snoke (Andy Serkis), while also providing conflicted feelings for Jedi-in-the-making Rey. The result is an involving yarn that is tremendously well told, with that signature heart-swelling emotion to match the narrative curveballs. Extraordinary stellar entertainment from start to finish.

Summary

With the Resistance cornered, aspiring warrior Rey tries to recruit Luke Skywalker in her battle against Kylo Ren and his evil forces. Fantasy adventure, starring Mark Hamill, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver and Oscar Isaac.

Cast & Crew

Luke Skywalker / Dobbu Scay Mark Hamill

Leia Carrie Fisher

Rey Daisy Ridley

Kylo Ren Adam Driver

Finn John Boyega

Poe Dameron Oscar Isaac

Supreme Leader Snoke Andy Serkis

General Hux Domhnall Gleeson

Vice Admiral Amilyn Holdo Laura Dern

DJ Benicio Del Toro

Captain Phasma Gwendoline Christie

Maz Kanata Lupita Nyong'o

Rose Kelly Marie Tran

Lieutenant Connix Billie Lourd

C-3PO Anthony Daniels

R2-D2 Jimmy Vee

Chewbacca Joonas Suotamo

Paige Veronica Ngo

Master Codebreaker Justin Theroux

Captain Peavey Adrian Edmondson

Captain Canady Mark Lewis Jones

Resistance monitor Michaela Coel

Resistance pilot Shauna Macdonald

Transport deck officer Darren Morfitt

Hux's First Order monitor Kate Dickie

Senior First Order officer Ralph Ineson

Jail guard Andy Nyman

Party girl lovey Lily Cole

Wodibin Warwick Davis

Slowen Lo Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Director Rian Johnson

Other Information

Language: EnglishColourTheatrical distributor: Walt DisneyAvailable on: DVD and Blu-rayReleased on: 14 Dec 2017

Drama

Full Episode Guide

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Accessibility Links

Rian Johnson (2017)

Review

Summary

Cast & Crew

Other Information

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Star Wars' Daisy Ridley says there's "more to the story" of Rey's parents

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Star Wars Episode VIII: the Last Jedi

Rian Johnson (2017)

Review

Summary

Cast & Crew

Other Information

How changing my name to Luke Skywalker changed my life

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker resolves one big plot hole from The Last Jedi

How to watch the Star Wars movies in the right order

Knives Out: Did you spot this cheeky cameo?

Star Wars' Daisy Ridley says there's "more to the story" of Rey's parents

Rian Johnson says Star Wars bosses are "still figuring out" the schedule for his new trilogy

5 of the best films

Star Wars actress Daisy Ridley reveals "pretty horrid" first days on The Force Awakens made her think: "I can't do this"

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