I don't understand what all the hate is about

Rating: 10/10 (21 December 2019)

Directed by J. J. Abrams, The Rise of Skywalker' is the 9th (and final) installment in the Star Wars Skywalker saga. With the first order in a more powerful stance than ever before, and the resistance in shambles, Rey and company set out on a desperate scavenger hunt to recover the location of the hidden First Order fleet. But is that all they will find there? Or is there a sinister, and calculative plan set in motion that is more than meets the eye?
After the events of 'The Last Jedi,' many of you undoubtedly have many questions. As a major fan of the series myself, my expectations were unfortunately mixed. However, I can say confidently that this film not only answers many of those questions, but could possibly restore your faith in the franchise, as it did my own.
As far as cinematography goes, this film is gorgeous. With plenty of frames that could work just as well as a painting, and deliciously placed camera movements, it's hard not to see this film as a work of art on appearance alone. With John Williams returning one last time, the score was just as breathtaking, with beautifully blended works of both nostalgic and new music from the series. Daisy Ridley shines as Rey, with her character's new challenges in the film, it's refreshing to see Daisy prove her worth in more emotional work.
Adam Driver returns as Kylo Ren / Ben Solo, as is more menacing than ever, but if menacing just isn't enough for you, worry not, for Ian McDiarmid steals the show with his returning role as Emperor Palpatine. The actors have really outdone themselves this time, and you can tell they put their hearts into their roles.
Yet with all this praise, no movie is perfect, and this film is not perfect by any means. Some of the dialogue seems almost a little "too Disney," and the pace of the film is botched by a truck load of exposition. You can't nod off during this film, or you're going to lose some crucial details that should've been foreshadowed films ago. Characters seem to teleport around scenes, and while Carrie Fischer's send off in this film is extremely heartfelt and good intended, I almost wonder if maybe having her in the film wasn't the best choice. Her scenes are good for what footage they had, however the "uncanny valley" effect definitely becomes painfully obvious seconds into her screen time.
Overall, there's plenty to enjoy about this film, and, for the more "die- hard fans" (whatever that means these days), there's plenty to nitpick. If you go into this film expecting the worst, chances are you won't walk away feeling the best. However, if you're like me, and just couldn't wait to see what all these years of dedication and love for this franchise is going to conclude, you'll have a very fun ride.