“Star Wars: The Last Jedi” 1/2

PG-13, 2:32, sci-fi

Several questions are asked and either answered or artfully evaded by “The Last Jedi.” Rey’s family history; the extent and secret source of Luke’s profound disillusionment; these and other puzzlers are nicely spaced out by filmmaker Rian Johnson, in between aerial dogfights and visits to the next planet on the movie’s itinerary. At one point Finn (John Boyega) and his fellow Resistance fighter Rose (Kelly Marie Tran, left) search for a “master code-breaker” on a planet resembling a mashup of Catalina Island, Monte Carlo and the cantina from the very first “Star Wars.” Much will be resolved by the final chapter of the trilogy. — Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune

“Coco”

PG, 1:49, animated

“Coco” begins just before Dia de los Muertos. Miguel is a secret lover of music; he idolizes musical star Ernesto de la Cruz, now dead. Why must Miguel keep his love of music a secret? Miguel’s great-great-grandfather, a traveling guitarist and singer, left his great-great-grandmother, and the matriarchal ban continues. When Miguel purloins his idol’s guitar to play in a talent contest, he is whisked off to the Land of the Dead, a world of rich fiesta colors. Trickster Hector, one of the skeletal beings in the Land of the Dead, becomes Miguel’s guide. Determined to meet Ernesto, Miguel learns lessons and solves a third-act murder mystery in the process. Since the movie’s beautiful, a second viewing would not be difficult. — M.P.

“Pitch Perfect 3” 1/2

PG-13, 1:33, comedy

“Pitch Perfect 3” jettisons body humor for action-adventure. The Bellas (including Anna Kendrick, left) struggle with life after college. No longer able to perform regularly with their best friends, they’re creatively stymied and nostalgic for their collegiate prime. For one last hurrah, they decide to hop on a USO tour. The script is dense with jokes, especially oddball one-liners and visual gags. “Pitch Perfect 3” is so breezy it’s weightless, but it manages to deliver just enough of the goods. — Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service

“Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle”1/2

PG-13, 1:59, comedy

“Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” is a very sweet, and generally entertaining, body-swap lark with some nice messages about being, and believing in, yourself. The conceit here is that when you’re transported into the game, you are suddenly a character in the game, in body, voice and skill set but with your earthbound personality pretty much intact. This is how a group of mismatched teens sharing the same detention transform into avatars played by Dwayne Johnson, at left, as well as Kevin Hart, Jack Black and Karen Gillan. “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” probably doesn’t warrant that much scrutiny. Its surface pleasures are strong enough. — Lindsay Bahr, AP

“Ferdinand”

PG, 1:46, animated

Ferdinand the young bull flees his ranch after his father is chosen for a bullfight. He ends up at the home of a flower farmer and is taken in by his daughter. But Ferdinand (John Cena) becomes too large for his own good, and after wreaking havoc on a flower festival, he’s shipped back to the ranch. He’s deemed violent and scary due to the way he looks, and he pushes back on that stereotype, wanting only to stop and smell the roses. With a lovely voice performance from Cena, the spirit of Ferdinand does shine through. But the rest of the story filler is mostly forgettable. — K.W.