“Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” which opened in theaters on Dec. 15, dragged in the middle and takes certain elements from “The Empire Strikes Back,” but the action, suspense and plot twists supports the argument that “The Last Jedi” is the best entry in the saga to date.

“The Last Jedi” begins directly after the events in “The Force Awakens,” with the evil First Order targeting the surviving members of the Resistance, a small military force formed to combat the First Order to protect the Republic. Meanwhile, Rey (Daisy Ridley) is trying to learn the ways of the Force from a hesitant Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill).

The plot slows down after two intense space battles in the beginning. “The Last Jedi” tried to keep things mildly interesting by focusing on a mission that Finn (John Boyega) and Rose Tico (Kelly Marie Tran) undertake to help the Resistance escape. However, the plot in this part of the film could have been better.

The intensity rose again towards the end when Rey confronts Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), Luke’s former apprentice who turned to the dark side of The Force. Ren is also the apprentice of Supreme Leader, Snoke (Andy Serkis).

Several plot twists occurred in following scenes, regarding the fate of certain villains, Rey’s parents and a sacrifice of a Resistance leader, which made up for the lack of action in the middle.

These plot twists, along with other twists, help “The Last Jedi” contend for being the best in the “Star Wars” saga.

The movie finishes with another battle, reminiscent of the Battle of Hoth, from “The Empire Strikes Back.” During this sequence, Luke Skywalker had his heroic redemption, which was also a highlight of this film.

When the movie ends with the protagonists flying through space feeling defeated, it feels like a callback to “The Empire Strikes Back.”

While the movie has its weaknesses, the unexpected twists and turns, Luke’s heroic actions and the action sequences throughout the movie not only makes up for the dragging middle, but make “The Last Jedi” the best “Star Wars” film yet.