'Star Wars: The Last Jedi': 8 things to watch for

A short time ago, on electronic screens not too far away, Filipino netizens saw the first official trailer for one of the most anticipated movies of 2017, "Star Wars: The Last Jedi".

Today, the film officially opens in Philippine cinemas, and we’ll finally find out what happens right after the pulse-pounding and heart-wrenching events of "Star Wars: The Force Awakens".

Our review of the film is already online, but let’s be real: It doesn't matter whether or not critics like it. This is one of those can’t-miss movies you’ve probably bought tickets in advance for.

Before you go to your screening and geek out with your fellow 'Star Wars' fans, here’s a quick and spoiler-free taste of the wonders that await you.

1) The biggest questions, answered. "The Force Awakens" not only awakened our desire for more "Star Wars" stories, it also left us with a ton of questions. Who is the mysterious, Force-sensitive Rey (Daisy Ridley)? Where did she really come from? Who were her parents? What made Ben Solo/Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) turn to the Dark Side of the Force? Who is Supreme Leader Snoke (Andy Serkis)? What's the true extent of his terrifying power? Why did Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) seemingly turn his back on everyone he cares about? Most, if not all of these questions, are answered by "The Last Jedi", a movie that leaves viewers with even more questions.

2) Incredible fight scenes. We won’t spoil you with specifics, but trust us when we say that there’s nary a boring moment in "The Last Jedi". You’ll be holding on to your seat, as you wouldn’t want to miss a single Resistance vs First Order space dogfight or lightsaber duel. Each of the main characters gets their chance to show off their remarkable skills, and some will even surprise you by demonstrating the ability to do things you didn’t know they were capable of.

3) Cameos and references. "The Last Jedi" shows tremendous respect and love for its predecessors. Peppered with cameos and references to past "Star Wars" films that eagle-eyed and sharp-eared fans will definitely catch, "The Last Jedi" adds a little something to your viewing experience if you’ve been following the story from the very beginning. A particularly special (and rather unexpected) appearance near the end of the film’s second act might even bring a tear to your eye.

4) The history - and future - of the Jedi. In "The Last Jedi", we get to see where Luke Skywalker has been hiding all this time — a mysterious island village on the distant planet Ahch-To, with secrets that tie in with the long and bloody history of the Jedi. More importantly, we get a better understanding of why he chose to hide here, specifically. What will Rey learn from Luke and the island? What lies ahead for the Jedi? Who is — or are — the last Jedi?

5) Meticulously assembled set pieces. If the settings in "The Last Jedi" look awe-inspiring, it’s because a ton of work was put into them. For "The Last Jedi", oscar-winning production designer Rick Heinrichs worked on no less than 120 sets across the United States, Croatia, and Ireland.

Fans will definitely recognize the Millennium Falcon, the Resistance Cruiser, the Fighter Hangar, the Mine Control Center, the First Order sets, the Star Destroyer, the Mega Destroyer and Kylo’s chambers. This time around, there are new environments and worlds to explore, including Ahch-To, the Canto Bight casino, the planet Crait, and Snoke’s throne room.

Reconstructing the interior of the Millennium Falcon alone took a considerable chunk of the team’s time; it was assembled on a Pinewood Stage, while the Falcon’s instantly recognizable exterior was put together on its Landing Pad at Longcross Studios in England.

6) Interesting new characters. "The Last Jedi" introduces a host of new characters that play integral roles in the story: these is Rose Tico (Kelly Marie Tran). who is the sister of a Resistance pilot/gunner, who goes with Finn (John Boyega) on an important mission to the Canto Bight casino.

Benicio Del Toro plays a mysterious character of questionable morals who may or may not be the key to the Resistance’s success. Finally, Laura Dern plays Vice Admiral Holdo, one of the Resistance’s top officers. All of these characters were given enough time to shine in their roles, and when you watch the film, you will definitely find yourself either rooting for them or cursing their existence.

7) Fascinating new creatures. Following in the cute and cuddly tradition of the Ewoks are two brand-new species in the 'Star Wars' universe. You’ve already seen the adorably huggable Porgs of Ach-To — they’re based on a mix of puffins, owls, and baby seals, so how could anyone not love them? "The Last Jedi" also features the elegant, majestic, crystalline Vulptex. The Vulptices live on Crait, and were modeled after, believe it or not, a dog covered in clear straws.

8) A sense of closure. It may seem odd to talk about closure in the second installment of yet another "Star Wars" trilogy, but when you actually get to see the film, it will make sense. In addition to finally finding out what happened to Luke and the rest of the characters, this film also serves as a loving tribute to Carrie Fisher, as this was the last movie she worked on (reprising the role of General Leia Organa) before she passed away in 2016. — LA, GMA News

Written and directed by Rian Johnson and distributed by the Walt Disney Company, 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi' opens in Philippine cinemas on December 13, 2017, at 5 PM.