A messy conclusion to one of the most storied franchises of all time

Rating: 6/10 (24 December 2019)

Few cinematic franchises evoke as strong emotions as 'Star Wars' does. While the original trilogy has, and will always, be the gold standard in the series, the prequel trilogy and sequel trilogy have split the fanbase right down the middle in many cases. In the case of 'Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker' - the conclusion of the 42-year Skywalker journey - we have a deeply flawed, messy but exciting final chapter.
It is clear that 'Skywalker' is actually intended to be a film-and-a-half, following the fairly disastrous fan reception that greeted 'The Last Jedi.' The apparent overcorrection by J.J. Abrams is painfully obvious, as the amount of content packed into the 141-minute runtime feels like an overstuffed suitcase. From the nonstop planet-hopping to the number of faces, voices, Force ghosts and breeds of stormtroopers that make appearances, it's a miracle if anyone short of a diehard fan can keep track of everything.
Without diving too deep down into the minutiae, the aspects of 'Skywalker' that stick out, for better or worse, are the use of the camera, the uneven plot and the famed John Williams score. The score is once again first-rate, as would be expected, but the cinematography is noticeably sub-par and does nothing to support the rest of the film. The plot feels rushed in some part and drawn out in others, with one big reveal falling flat and character development being an afterthought. It instead feels like Abrams and team developed the film with a master checklist, checking each box off while they went along.
Perhaps one of the worst parts about the film is the incorporation of Carrie Fisher's post-hostumous portrayal of General Leia Organa. While it's a nice gesture to continue Fisher's legacy on through this final film, some of the scenes are particularly jarring and difficult to watch. And then there are just ridiculous things thrown in there like horses on star destroyers, awkward kisses and lightbulb moments that feel like a stretch even for this galaxy far away.
The finale is pretty okay, with enough left open for interpretation and the kind of closure that should satisfy most fans. But that doesn't excuse the fact that 'Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker' is a disorganized joyride through time and space with more plot holes than the Emperor has star destroyers.