See what reviewers are saying about Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Rave reviews of Star Wars: The Last Jedi have begun pouring in following early screenings of the latest edition of the sci-fi franchise.

Rian Johnson’s hotly anticipated eighth instalment of the saga sees a return from veteran stars Mark Hamill and the late Carrie Fisher as Luke Skywalker and Leia, as well as The Force Awakens favourites, Daisy Ridley as Rey, John Boyega as Finn and Adam Driver as Kylo Ren.

Ahead of the film’s general release from midnight on Thursday, here is what the papers are saying.

The Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw lauds the movie as “excitingly and gigantically proportioned” with only “very small disappointments” – mostly in the form of the parallel plot concerning the Resistance’s military strategy. He also gives a special nod to newcomer Kelly Marie Tran as Resistance soldier Rose Tico.

Radio Times magazine also offered gushing feedback, with writer Alan Jones hailing new levels to the stories fans are familiar with. He compliments the “dazzling special effects work, interestingly well-rounded characters and second-to-none action… with events taking place all over the galaxy, the adventure this time takes on an extra epic dimension”.

For the New York Times’ Manohla Dargis, The Last Jedi offered both “visual wit and a human touch”. While the storyline itself is sometimes a “tangle”, the complications are “mitigated by Mr Johnson’s quick pace and the appealing performers”.

However, while Variety magazine said the film was entertaining and packed with “jaw-dropping visuals”, it panned the release as “ultimately a disappointment” and the “longest and least essential chapter in the series”.