The Last Jedi picks up moments after The Force Awakens with the Rebel Alliance fleeing from the First Order. The story then follows Rey’s training with Luke, Finn’s mission to find a code breaker and the Rebel Fleet evading The First Order.

Rian Johnson (Brick, Looper) had a lot to live up to when taking on the reigns of Episode eight. J.J. Abrams delivered a fantastic spectacle in The Force Awakens and left us on quite a cliffhanger. Johnson’s The Last Jedi more than lives up to it and in a number of ways surpasses it. There are many scenes and images that will live long in the memory and so many quintessential Star Wars moments are covered. Epic space battles, fantastic lightsaber battles and the Millennium Falcon squeezing through tight spaces. Johnson balances story, spectacle and comedy throughout the 152 minute run time with a hugely inventive eye.

Whilst Episode 7 original hero focus was on Han, Episode 8 is firmly with Luke. Mark Hamill is amazing as a disheveled and disillusioned Jedi, whilst still being able to show us the occasional twinkle of that naive farm boy who still believed. That isn’t to say Leia is side lined. With Carrie Fisher passing away after filming completed it is interesting to see her final performance as a General trying to pass on the torch of leadership. It is a fitting epitaph to her most iconic role.

As for the new cast of heroes they all have plenty to do as well. Finn makes a new friend in Rose Tico (Kelly Marie Tran) and travels to a gambling city full of interesting characters, Poe struggles to understand new leadership on the rebel fleet in Admiral Holdo (Laura Dern) but the most exciting thread is Rey’s new relationship with Kylo Ren. Daisy Ridley and Adam Driver are shaping up to be Star Wars greatest hero and villain, although at this point Driver’s Kylo Ren has already succeeded in this task. His conflicted behaviour, callous and stylish fighting style and uncontrolled power make him an enigmatic villain.

I would love to say more, but wanting to avoid spoilers means I will leave it there. Suffice it to say that if Episode 9 can keep up this standard it will be the best Star Wars trilogy.