Worthy addition to the Star Wars sega

Rating: 8/10 (25 December 2019)

The Rise of Skywalker does not match the magic and freshness of A New Hope or The Empire Strikes Back. Then again, I am not sure it is possible for any movie to live up to those two episodes.
That being said, it has a compelling plot that was well acted. Sadly, it felt rushed, and JJ Abrams was clearly not at his directorial best here. The first half was sloppy and on the whole, this movie had enough substance for three hours of screen time. Overall, I wish it flowed better, but it is what it is!
Those who think that Episode 9 was an attempt at appeasing/pleasing the fan base, for better or worse, missed the point of episode 8. Rian Johnson never went against the Star Wars cannon. Episode 8 was predominantly Lucas' vision for Episode 7. Luke was meant to give up and withdraw, as have virtually all others before him, from Qui Gon to Anakin to Yoda to Obi Wan. Every single gave up at one point or another.
Episode 9 was not meant to be a big FU to Rian, as many critics and fans seem to think. Luke returned to accepting his duty as a Jedi at the end of episode 8 and he was meant to play a more positive role in Episode 9. Like Obi Wan chose to do in the end of A New Hope, Luke chose to become one with the force at the end of The Last Jedi. This is a choice many a Jedi had taken, so Luke was no exception.