Best Star Wars Movie Since 1983

Rating: 9/10 (16 December 2016)

PLEASE NOTE - THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS!
Without a shadow of a doubt this is by far and away the best Star Wars movie since 1983's Return Of The Jedi. It's also by far the most adult Star Wars movie yet, and as an adult viewer I found that seriously refreshing. One thing that did surprise me though was the number of extremely young children in the cinema - parents take note that this isn't really a film for little kids. The violence levels are much higher than previous instalments and (SPOILER ALERT!) all the heroes die at the end, so don't expect a cheery journey home with the little'uns!
I've noticed quite a few people complaining about this movie, and it seems that some are completely missing the fact that it's a Star Wars-RELATED movie, NOT part of the primary Star Wars story arc. Yes there's no opening crawl at the start. Why? Because it's not part of the primary Star Wars "Episodic" story. Yes there are no Jedi or lightsabers (well, not until the very end at least). Why? Because it's NOT part of the primary Star Wars "Episodic" story! Yes the music is quite different to the others. Why? Have a guess at the answer folks! This movie is different because it's MEANT to be different! Not liking a movie because of it's story line or the acting is one thing, but missing the point is something else.
Another common complaint is that it's too slow - personally I found the pacing excellent, building the main characters backstory just enough for you to care about them before the action kicks in. Some have also said that Jyn isn't a likable character - in my opinion, not being a typical whiter-than-white saccharine-sweet Hollywood heroine is something to be celebrated, not moaned about. Let's not forget she's shown to be a criminal at the start of the movie, so once again I think it's great the film makers decided to go down a slightly darker and (dare I say) more realistic route.
The characters are all original and well-developed enough for an action movie, the effects are generally excellent, and the story is coherent and refreshingly different to the others on the main Star Wars story arc. It's also great to NOT see Tattooine for once! As I said above, this is a much more adult take on the Star Wars universe, with people on both sides doing morally dubious acts. It brings a refreshing shade of grey to the usually black and white Star Wars world.
A special mention needs to go to the Vader scene at the end as it's fantastic - FINALLY, after nearly 40 years we get to see Vader kicking some serious backside...well, for a couple of minutes at least.
All in all it's considerably better than The Force Awakens (which I rated as an OK 6/10), and a million times better than the universally appalling prequels.
The only thing that prevents me from giving it 10/10 is the slightly "off" CGI that's standing in for both Peter Cushing and a young Carrie Fisher. Unfortunately it seems we're still in the "uncanny valley" when it comes to trying to produce a 100% realistic CGI human. That said, my girlfriend didn't actually realise that Tarkin was CGI, so maybe it's only noticeable to those of us who know Cushing is dead. Either way I'm still glad they at least attempted bring Tarkin and Leia to CGI-life instead of recasting either actor.
All in all, one of the best Star Wars movie.......ever.