Star Wars Episode VIII: the Last Jedi

From the moment Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) disdainfully tosses his lightsaber over his shoulder, Rian Johnson's film announces itself as the most divisive and distinct episode in the sci-fi franchise. The plot sees the First Order chasing down the Resistance, with the fleet slowly running out of fuel. Finn (John Boyega) and Rose (newcomer Kelly Marie Tran) are dispatched on a secret mission to a casino planet, where they befriend a shady thief (Benicio Del Toro). Meanwhile, Rey (Daisy Ridley) attempts to recruit a disenchanted Luke, who is no longer the young hero of the original trilogy. Just as the Dark Side-loving Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) promises to part with the old, so too does Johnson, as he challenges our expectations of this galaxy far, far away. He also directs the action scenes with real verve (notably the climactic battle on the salt-planet Crait), and the striking red-hued visuals help make this the most beautiful-looking film in the saga. And with Rey and Rose taking centre stage alongside Carrie Fisher's General Leia and Laura Dern's purple-haired admiral, the Force is truly with the women this time around.