I bet nobody can guess what my favourite film of the trilogy is.
1. A final lesson from Yoda
Luke's reunion with Yoda is one of my favourite scenes of the saga and what could have been a 'fan-service' cameo is much more than that. Yoda's dialogue is perfect – reinforcing the theme of the film with charm to boot - and as he did so well in Empire, Mark completely sells an emotional scene with a pointy-eared, green puppet.
2. Facing down the First Order
"A Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and defense, never for attack." Watching Luke step out on to the salt flats of Crait in defiance of the First Order never gets old. After witnessing the depths of despair to which he'd sank, I found Luke's sacrifice really powerful and the perfect end for his character. "The Spark" and "The Last Jedi" elevated this sequence significantly too.
3. Rey claims the Skywalker saber
A new hero has arrived. After Finn's valiant effort to stop Kylo, the trilogy's hero steps up to the plate. She's uncertain and afraid but she faces Kylo regardless. The reuse of "Binary Sunset" worked perfectly with the scene.
I love you Mark but thank god it wasn't Luke.
4. A new alliance
The throne room battle is my favourite lightsaber-oriented action scene (I guess I can't call it a duel!) of the sequel trilogy. I loved the red motif throughout The Last Jedi and it was especially striking in this scene. Andy Serkis is delightfully wicked as a much-improved Snoke. Kylo flicking the saber towards Rey was a satisfying pay-off after they grew closer throughout the film. I also liked how the choreographers continued to highlight Kylo's physicality in battle. His style is different to anything we've seen before: punching, kicking and throwing Praetorian guards all over the place. It was fun.
5. The Holdo maneuver
Wiping the slimy smirk off Hux's face, saving what's left of the Resistance and creating one of the most striking moments of the entire saga in one sweep: it's a win-win. The use of silence after the initial collision was so effective.
6. Kylo kills Han
We know how this ends. Han isn't getting off the bridge alive and that knowledge makes the scene all the more effective. Maybe there's a glimmer of hope for Ben…but as shadow falls over Starkiller Base, we know his choice is made. I loved Harrison's performance in TFA and both he and Adam really sold this scene. Chewie's cry of anguish still hurts me man.
7. Luke gives Rey her first lesson
"The island. Life. Death and decay, that feeds new life. Warmth. Cold. Peace. Violence."
"And between it all?"
"Balance and energy. A force."
Second only to Yoda's explanation of the Force in Empire, Rey and Luke's dialogue concisely summarises the magic of the Force and mixes that with one of the funniest moments of the film. I loved the flashes to different parts of the island as Rey reaches out. I would have happily spent more time at the first Jedi temple too. That cave looked cozy.
8. Rey returns the favour
After Ben passed the saber to Rey in The Last Jedi, she returns the favour so that he can defend himself against the Knights of Ren. I wasn't a fan of everything that got us here, but this moment really worked for me. After Rian set up their bond in The Last Jedi, Rey using their connection to help Ben defend himself was a satisfying pay-off. Ben's shrug made me smile as well.
9. Chewie & Rey distract the First Order
This scene is the distillation of many of the things I love about Star Wars. There are so many satisfying little moments. It was like a set of dominoes falling into each other. The shot of the Falcon's shadow on the surface of Crait as it swoops to the rescue. Poe and Finn celebrating as it draws off the TIEs. Kylo's increasing frustration at that persistent piece of junk. Chewie's fancy flying and irritation at the distracting porg and Rey's theme triumphant on top of it all. Lovely stuff.
10. Paige destroys the Fulminatrix
I thought Poe's initial assault on the Fulminatrix and the bombing run had an energy that some of the other space combat scenes in the trilogy really lacked (looking at you Exegol!). It was our first and last time spending any time with her character but Paige's determination was endearing and the slow trek from the bombers' arrival to the drop zone really upped the tension. The release of the bombs wasn't just a relief for Paige but I was wiping sweat off my brow too. Shout out to Captain Canady too. You failed and got burnt to a crisp but I liked you.