“Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” the next installment of the multi-billion dollar franchise impresses audiences with stunning visuals, titular characters, and an intricate script encompassing the imaginations of both new and old fans alike.

Director Rian Johnson’s interpretation of how the characters and story evolves is wildly entertaining and even explosive at times-a glorious jumble of developments being thrown together and yet still managing to maintain organization.

Johnson brings the ever-talented Mark Hamill back as the lovable hero Luke Skywalker, now an estranged hermit hiding from past mistakes. The nostalgia alone is enough to carry Skywalker’s entire presence on screen and yet Mark Hamill still brings a fresh new perspective to the character, one riddled with self reflection and mentorship.

Furthermore, actress Daisy Ridley continues to breathe life into the character of Rey. She is quick and passionate, powerful yet vulnerable. Her story evolves further from “The Force Awakens” to encompass a maturing adult realizing her role in the galaxy.

Actor John Boyega playing Finn and companion Kelly Marie Tran playing Rose provide the perfect futuristic buddy-cop repertoire- a fun, refreshing story that weaves itself into the more serious undertones of the rest of the movie. Even their short-lived romance, while controversial in its randomness, is sweet and fulfilling to moviegoers.

Even more interesting is Johnson’s take on the villainous side of the Star Wars universe. He plunges powerful, dark characters in the throes of unimaginable evil. Adam Driver’s Kylo Ren is angry and vengeful; different in the fact that he lets his emotions define his strength. The Dark Order is as menacing as ever-an almost insurmountable force that is challenged by the most unlikeliest of underdogs: the Rebel Army.

“The Last Jedi” plants seeds of hope into the hearts of not only fans of the franchise but the entire galaxy as seen by director Rian Johnson. The characters are something we can believe in. The story is something we can be inspired by.