Doesn't explore character? What?

Rating: 9/10 (20 December 2019)

I am a huge Star Wars fan and a film fanatic in general. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is something super special that everyone hates because it doesn't make them "feel" a particular way, like this film doesn't complete their own personal feelings about Star Wars as a whole. I understand that and I feel that way myself about some aspects of this movie, but that's no reason to give an awful objective rating. Beyond any spoilers, huge moments, the (possibly unnecessary) amount of suspense - Sure, you could have predicted that all Disney could think to do was make Rey Palpetine's Granddaughter. That's a huge spoiler but low-key you knew that all a long... sort of. It seems too real. Seems like it shouldn't connect but it does. This is exactly the train of thought Rey has in her discovery, which is essentially the entirety of this movie. It's supsenseful and chaotic and seems like destiny is playing itself out before you (just as Rey experiences all of it. This is a deep character study for her and Kylo Ren both. You have feel for these two to understand the story, which many people refuse to even attempt because of loyal nostalgic ties to other characters. It's easy to empathize with them if you go into this film with no expectations. I thoroughly enjoyed every second of this and will definitely be headed back for a second viewing this weekend.