Star Wars: The Last Jedi Review - 8 Ups And 1 Down

6. Building The Resistance/First Order Conflict

The Resistance dealt the First Order a major blow at the end of The Force Awakens by destroying Starkiller Base, but with the Republic wiped out and rebel numbers dwindling, it's still the dark force that's on the rise and looking to command the galaxy.

The Last Jedi expertly builds this conflict, making it a true underdog story as the Resistance run out of resources. What's more, though, is how you really feel like there's something at stake here. There are lives to be lost and sacrifices to be made, but it's all for that spark to try and take down the First Order.

It's not so much a conflict as it is a chase, with General Hux and his army hunting down the Resistance. It leads to a couple of superb battle sequences: one is your more typical Star Wars dogfight, albeit with a few new bells and whistles; the other, on Crait, is something that evokes Hoth on the surface but is really quite different underneath.

Underpinning all of this is character. Oscar Isaac's Poe Dameron was effortlessly cool and charming in VII, but also underserved by the plot. Here he's the focal point for the Resistance, throwing himself into battle with the First Order and his superiors, General Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher is as strong as enjoyable as ever) and newcomer Vice Admiral Holdo (Laura Dern capping off her huge year with a solid supporting turn), with an examination of his hero complex that makes him so much more than just the best frickin' pilot in the galaxy (but there's plenty of that too).

It's the same on the other side of the war as well, with General Hux given more to do, and Domhnall Gleeson giving a wonderfully slimy, snivelling performance. This character work trickles right down, from the big hitters Poe and Leia to the smaller but still key cogs - Rose's sister Paige gets a big moment, Billie Lourd's Lieutenant Connix takes on added prominence - and you become ever more invested in their fight.