“Star Wars: The Last Jedi” (Science-Fiction/Fantasy: 2 hours, 32 minutes)

Starring: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega and Oscar Isaac

Director: Rian Johnson

Rated: PG-13 (Violence)

Movie Review: A “Star Wars” movie has not been this respectable since the original trilogy ended with “Return of the Jedi” (1983). 

Director Rian Johnson’s screenplay is dynamic in that he creates a new story, unlike the insipid, unoriginal writing of “The Force Awakens” (2015), which was really “A New Hope” redux. Rian actually creates characters that use engaging dialogue, not just momentary quips in between space battles and dueling lightsabers. Even more, Johnson creates characters one wants to see again.

Gen. Leia Organa (Fisher) leads a ragtag fleet of Resistance space cruisers from their base when the First Order, who can now track the Resistance in hyperspace, attacks. As the First Order closes in, Organa sends Rey (Ridley), Chewbacca and R2D2 to bring Luke Skywalker (Hamill) home, hoping the Jedi Master will inspire the Resistance with hope. As Rey attempts to achieve her mission, the dark side tempts her, especially after telepathic discussions with the First Order’s Kylo Ren (Driver). 

“The Last Jedi” takes three stories and ably blends them into a solid narrative by its end. Although Johnson’s writing leaves some undeveloped concepts, he creates a very engaging addition to the “Star Wars” franchise.

Johnson also creates characters — old and new —that are rich. Rey, Kylo Ren and Luke Skywalker are torn between their pasts and their duties. Oscar Isaac is flyboy Poe Dameron, who acts with impunity disobeying orders. Dameron often adds to many of the movie’s more energetic scenes. 

Fisher, in her last role, is dynamic as Leia. She is spunky and wise. Fisher delivers her one-liners in a golden manner. She plays Leia as a beautifully strong, poetically gratifying persona, a fitting end for the endearing star. 

Laura Dern, Kelly Marie Tran and Benicio del Toro play three new characters. They are worthy additions to “Star Wars.” Tran plays Rose Tico, a sort-of love interest for John Boyega’s Finn. Del Toro plays DJ a shady codebreaker; he is a wayward traveler for hire.

The standout is Dern as Vice Admiral Amilyn Holdo. Dern brings a certain elegance to the movie as if she is Hollywood royalty of yesteryear. Too bad, she is not a recurring character. Dern is a magnificent attention-getter, purple hair and all. 

Of course, the action is plentiful. The visual effects are marvelous eye candy. The characters, some household names, are still as fresh as they were 40-plus years ago. Plus, this movie, a la “Game of Thrones” style, offers many twists and unexpected deaths. Rian Johnson gives audiences multiple reasons to appreciate “Star Wars” more.

Grade: B (The return of good “Star Wars.”)

“Wonder Wheel” (Period Drama: 1 hours, 41 minutes)

Starring: Kate Winslet, Jim Belushi, Juno Temple, and Justin Timberlake,

Director: Woody Allen

Rated: R (Profanity and sexuality)

Movie Review: Wonder Wheel is a tall eccentric Ferris wheel located at Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park on the Coney Island. In “Wonder Wheel,” the amusement park serves as a 1950s setting for Woody Allen’s soap-operatic screenplay. 

Allen’s style is a mediocre mix of television’s “The Honeymooners” meets a Tennessee Williams’ melodrama. 

Ginny Rannell (Winslet), once an actress now working as a waitress, is married to Humpty Rannell (Belushi), a ride operator. The coupling is not a happy one. Ginny’s life changes when she meets a handsome, younger lifeguard, Mickey Rubin (Timberlake), an aspiring playwright. Ginny and Mickey have a happy affair until Humpty’s estranged daughter, Carolina (Temple), arrives. Carolina, who is a target of a mob boss, quickly gains the attention of Mickey, making Ginny jealous.

Despite its soap-operatic style, Woody Allen delivers an engaging screenplay that features stylish cinematography by Vittorio Storaro (“Apocalypse Now,” 1979). However, it lacks the necessary energy to make one care about its onscreen players. Their relationships are beleaguered ones. Their actions are predictable. 

Ultimately, when the story ends, one feels their lives go on just as uninspiringly miserable as they started. 

Grade: C (The wheel just goes around and around.)

“Ferdinand” (Animation/Adventure/Comedy: 1 hour, 47 minutes)

Starring: John Cena, Bobby Cannavale, Kate McKinnon, David Tennant,

Director: Carlos Saldanha

Rated: PG (Rude humor, action and some thematic elements)

Movie Review: Based on the book “The Story of Ferdinand” by Munro Leaf and Robert Lawson, “Ferdinand” is an enjoyable animated comedy adventure. 

It neither takes nor adds to the popular book, but delivers on good entertainment for families. 

Ferdinand (voice of Cena) is a giant gentle bull with a big heart. He loves flowers and helping people. While attending an extravagant festival of flowers, Ferdinand is mistaken as a dangerous beast and taken from his home to a place that breeds bulls to fight against matadors in a sand arena. Ferdinand desperately searches for ways to return to his family and beautiful countryside home.

WWE star John Cena is engaging as the gentle bull. He and others provide nice vocalizations for their animated egos. Kate McKinnon voices scenes for the crazy goat named Lupe. She and her character steal scenes and provide plenty of laughter.

Even more, “Ferdinand” offers audiences adventure and energetic visuals. It illustrates the need for compassion and tolerance towards others who are different. The message is as sound as its narrative. 

Grade: B (Olé!)