A year after the events of The Last Jedi, the remnants of the Resistance face the First Order once again—while reckoning with the past and their own inner turmoil. Meanwhile, the ancient conflict between the Jedi and the Sith reaches its climax, altogether bringing the Skywalker saga to a definitive end.

As the first port of call, THIS REVIEW WILL BE ENTIRELY SPOILER FREE. Now, let me say that J.J. Abrams has returned to the coveted role of director, following his work on Star Wars: The Force Awakens and his loud and extravaganza filmmaking style is on full display here. And it makes for one hell of a rush! When it comes to directors who know how to crank up the volume and deliver the spectacle, they don’t come much bigger than Abrams, and the director has that rare talent, like James Cameron before him, to use action as narrative and here he propels this story forward at lightning speed. It’s clear from watching the epicness of this film that Abrams understands the monumental scope of the task at hand, and he once again delivers everything of himself as a filmmaker and really sticks the landing. In my opinion, he crafts a work that truly articulates love and respect for this mythology and audiences will have a wild time watching it.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens made her a star, and now Daisy Ridley steps up with her performance here as the scavenger turned Jedi Rey. In Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker, Rey must contend with the dark side and must journey towards what she fears most, to face it and overcome it, and there are surprises that no audience member will see coming here. Ridley delivers considerable dramatic depth in The Rise Of Skywalker, and she gives a committed and extremely natural performance as she has to contend with the pull of both the force and the dark side, and which power will ultimately hold sway over her.

Contending with Ridley’s Rey for mastery of the force and the galaxy is Adam Driver who returns as Kylo Ren, and the Supreme Commander of the First Order is now an even hungrier animal and is ready to go to extremes to get what he wants. Abrams returns Kylo Ren to the badass dark side warrior that we were first introduced to back in The Force Awakens, and here his malice and anger are turned up to a whole new level. Driver’s commitment is considerably engaged with his performance, and this gives his power over the character considerable depth as his actions lead him ever closer to his ultimate destiny.

For those wanting a movie-going experience that floors the throttle, well, you’ll be very happy with what Abrams and his team bring to the screen in The Rise Of Skywalker. The action in The Rise Of Skywalker doesn’t stop for a second, and whether it’s the rush of an explosive space battle or the crackling strikes of lightsabers in full combat as Rey and Kylo Ren duel it out, there’s plenty to get excited about. While I won’t go into too much detail, I will say that if there was a moment that struck me with it’s epicness then it most definitely was the dynamic lightsaber battles that we got to see this time. While in The Force Awakens we were only beginning to see these characters begin to harness their powers, here they are fully open to them and the resulting fight scene between both light and dark absolutely grips your attention.

Alongside the film’s gripping action sequences, and the magnificent level of practical detail that Abrams and his team bring to its production design and art direction, the film’s focus on tying together all of the Star Wars mythology is a grand achievement on Abrams behalf. As the greatest ever modern myth, Star Wars holds a very special place in the hearts of people the world over, and Abrams uses this love and reference for this bold saga to help bring it to a conclusion here. Both nostalgia and the new permeate this final chapter of the Skywalker story and there’s considerable multi-layered theming taking place here that many will be excited to decipher and decode.

As a way to end the decade, it doesn’t get much bigger or bolder than the grandness and scope of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker! This is a phenomenal cinematic experience from beginning to end, and with its focus on narrative, character and some amazing action sequences you will truly leave the cinema with that magical Star Wars feeling fluttering in your heart. This one truly is an event for the ages and Star Wars fans, both young and old, will be very pleased with what is offered here.

Image: Walt Disney Pictures

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Set in the 14th Century but spoken in a contemporary voice, Ophelia is a dynamic re-imagining of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Ophelia (Daisy Ridley) takes centre stage as Queen Gertrude’s (Naomi Watts) most trusted lady-in-waiting. Beautiful and intelligent, she soon captures the attention of the handsome Prince Hamlet (George MacKay) and a forbidden love blossoms. As war brews, lust and betrayal are tearing Elsinore Castle apart from within and Ophelia must decide between her true love or her own life in order to protect a very dangerous secret.

Adapting any of the works of the great Bard of Stratford-upon-Avon always presents a worthy challenge for any filmmaker, but when that filmmaker reinterprets them from an entirely different perspective, well, then audiences are really in for a surprise. Luckily director Claire McCarthy is up for the challenge here with Ophelia, a bold and dramatic retelling of Hamlet that frames the story from the point-of-view of Hamlet’s one true love, Ophelia, and it’s a brilliant angle to take. Seen from the perspective of a woman, this ancient tale’s narrative of bloodlust and tragedy makes this classic play that much more relevant, and McCarthy does a terrific job probing the psychological complexity that lies at the heart of this story.

For actress Daisy Ridley, the role of Ophelia presents her with plenty of challenge and opportunity and this young performer rises to the occasion. Ridley’s performance here is that of the ingenue mixed in with an earthy, textured quality. Her Ophelia is a young woman who is very close to nature and who brings a calm sense of serenity to the halls of power of Elsinore Castle. But as the madness of power grips the castle, soon Ophelia’s love for her dear Hamlet is tested with the violence of the Prince’s need for vengeance. Ridley really brings to life the humanity and sincerity of Ophelia, and you really feel her desire for life and prosperity. She deals with some very heavy issues here, and her performance as Ophelia is a real step forward in a growing maturity in her career and she absolutely draws the audience’s attention into the film’s complex narrative.

Sharing the screen beside Ridley’s Ophelia is Naomi Watts in a sensational double role as both Queen Gertrude and a mysterious character whose actions have plenty of malice on the story. Watts plays off of Ridley well, and she assumes the decorum and status of the Queen of Denmark with considerable power, and bears a strong presence throughout the film’s events. Here Watts strikes a terrific balance as the Queen as she projects both a regal elegance, but also dangerous competitiveness, as she throws her own jealousies and insecurities onto her handmaidens and this unwanted attention definitely does not fall past Ophelia. This leads to plenty of great dramatic tension between these two characters and the resulting scenes that play out between the two of them certainly keep you on your toes.

Alongside some wonderful performances, McCarthy’s Ophelia is simply a beautiful film to look at. Visually rich and shining at every corner, this film is a piece of art and it is beautifully captured through the lens of cinematographer Denson Baker. Through the presence of natural light and rich hues of colour, McCarthy and Baker craft a film that absolutely holds the attention of the audience and brings them into the operatic drama that is present throughout the film’s narrative. Of all of Ophelia‘s striking visual set pieces, it’s the ball scene inside Elsinore Castle which really captures your attention and it is a stunning combination of art direction, costuming, hair and make-up and cinematography. Alongside its grand visuals, McCarthy also finds innovative ways to illuminate the play’s twists and turns such as the appearance of the Ghost and the duel between Hamlet and Laertes.

Ophelia is an incredibly rich and lavish cinema experience that re-energizes the narrative of Hamlet and focuses in on the incredible talent that is Daisy Ridley. Those who love historical drama with a twist will be in for a real treat with this one.

Image: Madman Films

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Watch the dramatic new trailer below:

Here’s the full synopsis:

Set in the 14th Century but spoken in a contemporary voice, Ophelia is a dynamic re-imagining of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Ophelia (Daisy Ridley) takes center stage as Queen Gertrude’s (Naomi Watts) most trusted lady-in-waiting. Beautiful and intelligent, she soon captures the attention of the handsome Prince Hamlet (George MacKay) and a forbidden love blossoms. As war brews, lust and betrayal are tearing Elsinore Castle apart from within and Ophelia must decide between her true love or her own life in order to protect a very dangerous secret.

Finding perfect composition of both light and dark, director Claire McCarthy frames the famed tragedy of the Prince of Denmark through the eyes of his one true love Ophelia and star Daisy Ridley is right up for the challenge. It’s a heavy and complicated role as she plays an ingenue who is thrust into the dangers of court politics as her beloved Hamlet seeks vengeance after his father’s strange death.

Those familiar with Hamlet will know of the outcome of the story, but McCarthy focuses inward on the psychology of her heroine and the journey that she must take in a beautiful kingdom that suddenly becomes savage.

Joining Ridley in the film is an immensely talented cast who include George MacKay as Hamlet, Naomi Watts as Gertrude and Clive Owen as Claudius, and these performers are complemented by the gorgeous cinematography of Denson Baker and the wondrous wardrobe of costume designer Massimo Cantini Parrini.

Ophelia looks to be a breathing piece of cinema that is sure to capture the burning desire of the bard’s Hamlet, and is a showcase for the talents of Daisy Ridley.

Ophelia is set to arrive in cinemas on July 25.

Images: Madman Films

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Following the events of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Rey (Daisy Ridley) has gone to seek out revered Jedi Master Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) to learn from the great Jedi himself. But darkness rises, and the resistance is threatened and on its last breath of hope as Rey hopes to learn to control her great powers to help restore order and peace to the galaxy.

For those of you afraid of spoilers. Don’t worry, you’re in good hands here. There will be none in this review. Instead, I implore that each of you goes and sees this amazing film for yourself and let its layered themes and multi-arched character journeys wash over you. It is from the mind of celebrated writer/director Rian Johnson that the world of The Last Jedi springs and while watching this film you feel every beat of his creativity and passion for this fantastic sci-fi universe. Johnson is a lifelong Star Wars fan and he understands George Lucas’ characters intimately and uses his knowledge to present a side of them that was there all along, but which until now we had not seen. Johnson is also a gifted writer and his knack for structure, and prose also find their way into a very well-crafted script and a plot that keeps you guessing proving that he was most-definitely the right man for the job here.

The world of this new Star Wars saga expands here, and this is specific to the characters of Rey (Daisy Ridley) and Kylo Ren (Adam Driver). Each of these two characters go on a journey of growth as they learn new things about themselves and each other. Part of what makes for a great sequel is the fact that the stories characters must grow in some dramatic way, and that is certainly the case here. The prominence of each of these characters to the success of The Last Jedi also adheres to the film’s thematic emphasis on balance. The idea of balance between light and dark is essential to both these characters and Johnson’s exploration of it via these two characters makes for a very interesting experience.

If there was one moment I was waiting for though then it was most definitely the return of Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker. As a child, Luke was always my favourite character and I can assure longtime fans that Hamill does not disappoint as the Jedi master. But Hamill’s now aged Luke is not the man we once knew and is portrayed as a monastic figure and whose appearance within the story brings another big theme into the movie. That of the position of the force and its deep spiritual subtext of belief and hope. Like Rey, Luke himself goes on quite a journey, and his is one of an interesting interior reflection. As a viewer and lifelong fan of Luke Skywalker, I was pleased that Johnson focused his attention on Luke’s spiritual side as it offered something different and unexpected along with considerable growth for the character. Hamill is in top form throughout the entire film, and fans will be pleased that he has made his return.

If you’re looking for spectacle and size then you’ve come to the right place as Johnson fills the screen (preferably IMAX, trust me you have to watch this in IMAX) with extraordinary action set piece and large-scale sets. He has a knack for art direction, and The Last Jedi is filled with rich colours and intricate details that reflects its different environments from the forgotten earth of Ahch-To to the glitz and glam of the casino planet Canto Bight to the read earthed salt plains of the planet Crait. While each of these settings might be vast in their construction, they are also intimate and there is a real sense of care with each of these new worlds. Both production designer Rick Heinrichs and cinematographer Steve Yedlin, both heavy hitters in the industry, bring their all to this production, and alongside Johnson, these three artists create the far away universe we have come to love and explore through Star Wars.

A lot of thought has been placed into making Star Wars: The Last Jedi a very exciting ride and this extends to the film’s larger than life battle sequences. While I won’t discuss the action involved as to not run into spoilers lets just say that there are all kinds of towering space battles and if you like lightsabers, well, you’re in for a treat.

But in talking about Star Wars: The Last Jedi one cannot pass the presence of the late, great Carrie Fisher who made her final appearance on the big screen as General Leia Organa before her sad passing. While we only got to see Leia for a moment in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, here she has a far grander role and her presence reflects the grace, decorum and strength of character that Fisher brought to both the original Star Wars films, along with the science fiction genre in general. Like the other characters, including her brother Luke, Leia herself goes on quite a journey and becomes the symbol for one of the film’s most poignant symbols: hope. Believing when no one else will, Leia’s faith in the power of the force and in the good of others is a poignant reminder of the strength of Star Wars and of what Fisher brought to it. I can say that I welled up a little with our princesses final scene, but Fisher’s performance is flawless and Johnson along with the cast and crew do right by her with a very fitting film.

Whether you’re a longtime fan or have only recently entered into the Star Wars universe you’ll be guaranteed to love Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Both large in scale and intimate in its narrative and character development, this is a film that has been crafted with love and attention from a group of filmmakers who have such passion for what they do and the universe that George Lucas created. Do yourself a favour and make sure you go and watch this film as soon as you can (preferably in IMAX) because you won’t be disappointed.

Image: Walt Disney Pictures

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Having completed a case, world-famous private detective Hercule Poirot (Sir Kenneth Branagh), decides that a well deserved holiday is in order. And so the debonair detective boards the famed Orient Express for a bit of R&R. But when a shocking murder occurs on the train, Poirot finds his holiday interrupted and is flung into a race against time to find the murderer before they strike again.

Branagh’s envisioning of Murder on the Orient Express is blockbuster filmmaking at its finest. The esteemed director and thespian channels the grandiose dramatic epics of the 1930s and 1940s with his adaptation of this classic tale. Everything is shot in camera and Branagh makes the most of his enormous set piece, The Orient Express herself. While there may be a detective, a victim and twelve different suspects, the Orient Express is just as much a character, and Branagh and his team explore much of its exotic structure in considerable detail throughout the film.

World-building plays a significant part in Murder on the Orient Express and Branagh and his team take audiences back to the by-gone era of the early 1930s. This world is informed by elegance and glamour and Branagh shows all of it up on screen. The set-building and production design of Jim Clay recreates the first class decadence of travelling on the Orient Express and every detail is catered to perfectly, from the placement of the most delicate antique furniture to ample servings of champagne and the finest gourmet dining options. Murder on the Orient Express is a piece of cinema that most definitely sets your senses on fire, and you can’t help but imagine yourself seated on this grand train.

The film also excels thanks to its stunning costuming, which have been provided by Academy Award Winning costume designer Alexandra Byrne, who captures the exquisite first-class lifestyle of the film’s principal characters. There’s an ample supply of jewellery, flowing dresses, fine suits and exotic furs. Both the ladies and gentlemen aboard the Orient Express are decked out in the most stunning costumes and I must give credit to Byrne for her realisation of Branagh’s Poirot with his distinctive three-piece suits and antique cane, the lavish ballroom dresses of Michelle Pfieffer’s Caroline Hubbard and the completely chic gangster attire of Johnny Depp’s Edward Ratchett, who is clad in bold double-breasted power suits and wears the ultimate fur coat.

All of these things bring you further into the world of Murder on the Orient Express and make for an exciting and completely mesmerising time up-on screen.

Branagh most definitely stands out as the arrogant, analytical, and obessesive compulsive Hercule Poirot, whose obsession with minute details borders on the notion of crazy and who sports one hell of a moustache. While I myself had never read any of Agatha Christie’s works before I saw Murder on the Orient Express, I was still familiar with the character of Poirot and from what I know of the grand detective, Branagh hit the nail on the head. His deductive manner and minute observations were in perfect keeping with the character, and you could tell that he was enjoying himself immensely as this debonair fellow. And that moustache, my god, it was unbelievably impressive and is worth the price of admission alone!

The film’s bolder casting was equally impressive with a staple of magnificent performances from all the supporting players involved. But there are a few of them that I need to call out, starting with Depp’s despicable gangster Ratchett. Depp plays the villain well, and here his slimy manner shines through as a cocky up-start who now finds himself in trouble. What was enjoyable was that as Ratchett, Depp obviously enjoyed being the bad guy, and this of-course shone through in his performance. Michelle Pfieffer’s widowed Caroline Hubbard brings plenty of refined elegance, as well as an unabashed seductiveness that she throws towards Poirot, for plenty of uncomfortable humour. Then there’s Josh Gad as the bullied, and horrendously uptight Hector McQueen, who has found himself as Ratchett’s assistant and whose behaviour makes him an instant suspect. Leslie Odom Jr. brings a sense of refinement as the learned Dr Arbuthnot and has no qualms about getting in Poirot’s face, while, finally, Daisy Ridley is in ingenue form as former governess Mary Debenham who’s sweet and inquisitive exterior hides an agenda all her own.

If you’re wanting a whodunnit. Then well, you’ve found it. Branagh provides plenty of suspense for his audience and shifts the suspicion around the diverse group of characters. Whenever you think you’ve found the murderer, the emphasis shifts and another suspect, even more guilty shows up. Branagh keeps his audience guessing and uses Poirot’s distinctive deductive reasoning to find his murderer. There’s no CSI here, just a detective with one hell of an intellect and a commitment to that of unshakeable justice. At times you’ll find yourself on a knife’s edge, and that’s exactly where Branagh wants you.

I hold by my words when I say you will not see the ending coming, and the shock, along with Branagh’s care for this grand story leaves you wanting more. As a standalone suspense epic, Murder on the Orient Express holds its ground, and I myself would love to see Branagh explore this fabled character further in successive sequels. So buy your ticket, and take your seat, because the shocks come quick and sharp with Murder on the Orient Express….and you won’t want to miss out on them.

Image: 20th Century Fox

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Set thirty years after the events of Return of the Jedi, the last remnants of The Empire have morphed into the dreaded First Order, while the Rebel Alliance fights on as the Resistance. It’s here that new characters Rey (Daisy Ridley), Finn (John Boyega) and Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) find themselves fighting alongside legends such as Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher) and Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) to bring balance to force and the galaxy.

5. John Williams – maestro at work

Mythic composer John Williams returns to the franchise he helped usher into cinema legend with a rousing and emotional score that gets to the very heart of the Star Wars saga, providing a sense of nostalgia, and exciting prospects for the future. With every beat you feel that a true master has meticulously crafted this stunning orchestral piece, which extends itself to every scene and truly brings the film together.

4. A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away

From the moment the opening crawl beams on screen, we’re transported back to the wonder and magic of that galaxy far, far away where the Star Wars saga first unfolded. While audiences intimately know its vast setting, director J.J. Abrams and his brilliantly talented crew show us a completely new side of this universe which is filled with exotic new worlds, and the people, creatures and spaceships that populate them. This vast scope and attention to detail creates a compelling visual palette that audiences will find themselves completely absorbed by.

3. The power of the force

The power and mystery of the force, from its brightest light to the abyss of the dark side, shines through in Star Wars: The Force Awakens providing the film with its thematic centre. The emphasis placed on the force and its connection to both the characters and the general setting provides a solid base for the film to develop, as well as creating the central battle at its core.

2. Daisy Ridley and John Boyega – heroes for a new generation

For its lead protagonists, Star Wars: The Force Awakens has found two truly amazing performers in Daisy Ridley and John Boyega in the roles of Rey and Finn. Both actors demonstrate a spectacular commitment to their characters, creating two unique individuals whose motivations, feelings and actions are believable and understandable. Audiences of all ages will find a connection to each of them, and will not want to miss a second of their incredible journey on screen.

1. J.J. Abrams – Jedi master

But all the wonder and magic of Star Wars: The Force Awakens comes down to the vision and passion of one man, director J.J. Abrams, who imbues this new chapter with his own deep sense of love and reverence for the source material, and the very concept of Star Wars itself. Abrams has long said that this is a film made by the fans for the fans, and this statement couldn’t be truer when it comes to Force Awakens. It’s as if he has taken the collective desire of the Star Wars fan community, and created a piece of cinema that gives them everything they desire from a film set in this universe. With every passing second you feel his passion for the story and its characters, which has such intimacy and relevance that the film gets under your skin, and strikes a nerve. Abrams gives everything of himself as a filmmaker to The Force Awakens, and strikes the right balance between providing original material while honouring what has come before.

Image source: Walt Disney Pictures.

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