How did we get to this???????

Rating: 6/10 (20 December 2019)

What on earth did I just watch???? There is so much to process I know I'm gonna miss things out.............there is a LOT going on in this film, whether that be bad or good!!!
Quick set up.........I grew up on the prequels they have a special place in my heart but they aren't that great and I can live with that........The original trilogy is the gold standard for trilogies in my opinion!!! I thought that TFA was good but just A New Hope remade slightly differently............However I really really liked TLJ, yes I know I'm in the minority............loved its brave and bold choices even if I didn't like all of them.
Now we have The Rise of Skywalker...........I still think its a terrible title now like I did when it was announced. Lets start with the positives there are some really really good parts in this mess of a film.
Daisy Ridley and Adam Driver..........whenever either of them or both of them are on screen.......the film is great !!! The story of Kylo Ren and Rey has been the best part of the sequel trilogy in all of the films............and Episode 9 doesn't disappoint!! Their chemistry is really good and there is real character arc/ development..............loved both of their performances !!!
The force connection between them is emotional and the heart beat of the film. It is best shown when they are fighting...........sort of what Rian Johnson started to play with in Episode 8.........for me its fresh , new and exciting...........although it stretches the boundaries of Star Wars lore. I think the endings to both characters was fitting...........Rey, revealed as a Palpatine and killing the Emperor......winning essentially............but the revival of Ben Solo and the death of Kylo Ren was the best part of the film for me. I had no idea Harrison Ford was in the film...........extremely good part.
Thats pretty much it for the things I liked..........
Now the things I didn't like..............this film has way way too much going on and it doesn't really deliver on any of them fully. It is trying to be a sequel to TFA whilst ignoring TLJ..........but also trying to connect to the original and prequel trilogies. This film is trying to be Episodes 8 and 9 at the say time..................who is to blame for this J.J Abrams......no........Rian Johnson.....no..................Kathleen Kennedy 100% yes. This film demonstrates that there was never a plan for this trilogy from the outset............HOW is that aloud to happen?????
The story is weak and thin...............and all over the place. There is no stakes or tension in the film because whenever any is presented it is instantly taken away because the film is moving so fast and needs it to be resolved........and well characters flip and change their minds or are in the right place at the right time. Keri Russell's character, one second wants to kill Poe.............then the next is helping the group and giving up her one way ticket to freedom?!?!?!?
There is a lot in the film that doesn't add up, characters just appear from know where really quickly or find out what there meant to do instantaneously. I understand the Kylo and Rey stuff cause well I can buy thats the force doing that............but everyone else no just no...........also Palpatine back no explanation, he just didn't die?!?!? How does this connect to the Skywalker saga really, and the story of Anakin Skywalker the chosen one???!?! Does Rey's power undermine Anakin/Vader??? The Final Order......how so many ships, how did all the people live on that planet?!? Planet killing star destroyers really!?!??!
Finally there was a huge huge miss opportunity...........we heard their voices but I desperately wanted to see them. I am pretty confident I heard, Ewan McGregor, Hayden Christensen, Liam Neeson, Frank Oz and Samuel L Jackson's voices telling Rey to rise up..........I so desperately wanted force ghosts, It would have connected all the films together better...........a small couple of minutes not much!!! I'm so bummed
Overall I'm trying to be kind to this film 65% out of 100 its ok/average and that is me being kind...............there are few things I liked about the film but those things I really really liked. However the majority was boring and forgettable, the re-watchability of this film is probably gonna be the lowest of the sequel trilogy for me. Episode 9 is the worst out of 7,8,9..........I'm sorry. Does this now mean that the prequels will be looked back in a better light?!?!? I'd take Revenge of the Sith over any of these any day!?!? What a sad end ?!?!