The Last Jedi stands out for intriguing storyline, characterisation

The ninth movie in the Star Wars saga, The Last Jedi, may well be the movie of the year. It delivers on multiple counts — scale, story and pace. At almost 2.5 hours running time, the movie could have teetered into the drag territory, but it doesn't. The audience is kept on the edge of the seat for the entire duration, at times because of the twists and turns in the story, and at other times, because of the intergalactic action.

Mark Hamill's Luke Skywalker has aged and has acquired layers to his persona. Hamill's portrayal of this older — and perhaps, wiser — Skywalker is a sight to behold. Eccentric and poised in equal parts, the actor carries out his role with the same dedication that fans of the franchise would expect him to, and then some more. New addition Kelly Marie Tran as the Rose Tico is endearing while Denicio Del Toro as the Codebreaker is fun to watch, and loathe. 

Others on the cast — the late Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia; Oscar Isaac as the trigger-happy X-wing pilot Po; John Boyega as the reformed Stormtrooper Finn; Daisy Ridley as Rey; and Adam Driver as Kylo Ren reprise their roles from The Force Awakens with ease and a certain level of aplomb. 

Where The Last Jedi stands out in comparison to its 2015 predecessor, The Force Awakens is the gravitas it brings as the story advances. Yes, the film is not high on big bang moments like The Force Awakens, but what we get, instead, is a solid story and insightful characterisation. 

The Last Jedi greatly benefits from the writing that truly allows the characters to interact. Whether it's Princess/Commander Leia teaching Po a thing or two about patience, or Rey's encounters with Luke, or her face-offs with Ren, the film makes the audience experience these moments rather than just see them. As a result, the end of the film feels more satisfying (even without a post-credit scene). Particular among these scenes is the interaction between Rey and Ren on Snoke's ship in the second half of the film. The scene, in ways, defines the dark side and the future of these new characters in the franchise. 

Humour, intentional or inadvertent, has been a part of the Star Wars franchise and this film has it in spades. It comes from different quarters. Chewbaca's scene with the Porgs on the Jedi island commands its share of chuckles, as do scenes with Finn and Rose. Despite the intense moments that Rey spends on the Jedi Island, some of her most comic moments also come from that place. 

While some may feel the film is low on fan service — compared to The Force Awakens — it manages to give a decent screen time for all its relevant characters to evolve with the story. The action and CGI, especially for the hordes of alien species on screen, are commendable and leave the audiences gasping more than once. 

This was the last film Fisher worked on before her demise late last year, and a more befitting farewell could not have been given to the actor, much loved as Princess Leia Organa.