How do I do this review? There's so much to say that perhaps cannot be said without spoilers, so with that in mind, I have decided to make this review spoiler-free, with a spoilery one planned for later, giving a more in-depth overview of the characters, plot, etc.
So, fear no spoilers from this point on, folks! And without further ado, here we go!
So did I like it? No. I freaking ADORED this movie! Episode 8 builds up on its predecessor in every possible way, from stakes to acting, to visual effects, length, and sheer fun factor. Picking up (almost) where the last movie let us off, the race-against-time plot brings in actors very old, old, and new into the fray to preserve the resistance against the growing onslaught of the First Order.
Daisy Ridley and John Boyega reprise their roles as Rey and Finn and don't lose step from the prior movie. In fact, they do an even better job than before, settling into their roles with ease as the war takes them in different directions, from Rey's encounter with a forlorn Luke Skywalker, whom Mark Hamill plays as though the past 34 years between his roles has never passed, to Finn's daring mission under the hotheaded direction of Poe Dameron, whom Oscar Isaac gives a much needed deeper exploration of. And speaking of depth, Adam Driver's viper-like subtlety in his portrayal of Kylo Ren reveals so much more than imaginable about his character and his purpose in the galaxy at present and to come, both in his interactions with Rey and his master, the mysterious and almost larger-than-life Snoke, which Andy Serkis seems to relish with villainous glee. And of course, one could not forget Carrie Fisher in her final role as Princess Leia, who gives that role every bit of grace and inspirational presence she can muster, and makes every moment you see her a thing of beauty, strength, and sorrow.
To make a long story short, Just about every character from the original is given a chance to shine in a way that truly expands, even introducing a couple of newcomer roles in the form of a techie named Rose, played by Kellie Marie Tran, who is given a surprising amount of depth, which leaves you wanting to see more of her -as well as a very interesting role for Benicio Del Toro as the shifty DJ, whose purpose to the plot is best left unsaid here.
And of course, with acting that has superceeded that of the prior installment, the universe and plot that unfolds during the course of the movie's near 3-hour run (a first for the Star Wars movies) gives a rich background for each character to shine in. From the beginning, you can feel the tension as the danger ratchets up for the Resistance far past the levels presented in the prior episode, and exacerbated by Poe Dameron's hotheadedness and impatience, to Rey's desperate attempts to give Luke a reason to go on fighting in the midst of his self-exile, to the ever-present antagonism between Admiral Hux and Kylo Ren in spite of their otherwise unified purpose. All this takes place in a backdrop of locations of stunning beauty and starkness, from the rugged islands of Ahch-To, to the decadent casinos of Canto Bight, to the mechanical monstrosity of Snoke's mega Star Destroyer and its starkly minimalist yet menacing throne room, to the crystaline planet Crait, making the movie a feast for the eyes. And through it all, the plot presents twists and turns that even I could not have expected in a million years, culminating in a climax that has to be seen to be believed, with several complete and utter OMGWTF moments thrown in for good measure.
So in closing, Episode 8 truly exceeds the last entry in every way and has both left me breathless, hopeful, sad, and grateful to have seen it. In fact, one particular fear of mine was allayed, which is the concern that this installment would be a rehash of The Empire Strikes Back ... which it absolutely wasn't. So, in my humble opinion, with the exception of a couple of questionable physics and rabbit-out-of-the-hat moments, this movie easily has become the best of all the Star Wars movies, which I strongly suggest you don't miss!
9.8/10 would definitely watch again ... and again ... and again...
