Skywalker's Dead, Long Live Star Wars

Rating: 8/10 (19 December 2019)

Yesterday I watched The Rise of Skywalker during a marathon session of the complete trilogy in my local theater. I saw clearly how much effort has been made to combine all story arcs into a sound, Hollywood closure.
In between the episodes I asked people I met in the audience about the final episode. What would they like to know about the major characters, which theory did they have in mind about the ending and so on, and I could predict beforehand that the ending couldn't possibly appease all of us. Each and every one has a different take on the story and characters, which is to be expected when there are so many theories and sources available, and plausible, about this fantastic Galaxy Far Far Away. That being said I like to specify why I find The Rise Of Skywalker actually worth watching.
Pros
The choice of actors, cinematography, action scenes and one liners are fine-tuned to our present-day society. It feels like you're inside a video game, living the life in this Star Wars Galaxy. I've read quite some rants about the sloppy writing of the movie scenes or about Disney's marketing department taking over the original story of George Lucas, but I would say, so what? There are so many storylines, thanks to all the novels, it's a mission impossible to put that into one trilogy. If the script is formatted by marketing statistics it will show a diversity in gender, race, romance, comedy, action and melodrama, whatever works to attract an audience. This can ruin a plot, but What's the point of story telling if your audience can't relate to your story?
It's a dilemma and it shows. The latest Star Wars trilogy still is traditional high fantasy with the great battle between good and right, wise guardians and evil knights, but it is mixed with a modern take on Buddhist philosophy. So the battle between good and right has evolved into a lighter version, with a yin/yang light/dark model and heroes/anti-heroes.
I would say, leave your brain on the shelf while watching and just Go with the Flow. I still don't know the essential meaning of this trilogy. Perhaps the message is you don't have to rely on guardians or large armies, just keep the power to yourself. Your life becomes more meaningful with a life long learning, maintaining 'the balance' and working together.
Personally, I find this Disney concept a brilliant solution to combine different fan bases with different generations and countries. In the western world we have the older hippie/protest generation who believes in revolution, mass communication while the younger generation is more individualistic, they like to practice yoga and mindfulness just like the Jedi. In the East there's already a long tradition of buddhism and a preference for Wuxia, with masters and disciples, and highly styled fighting scenes that can be found in abundance in this movie. So I think this episode will be another box office success.
Cons
Are there any flaws? Yes, of course. When I look at the huge density of actions and dialogue in this episode, I see an inconsistency in the duration of scenes at times. Why do the makers pay 5 minutes attention to the bombarding of rocket men in the desert while there's only 1 minute left for someone dying, saying his final words?
Verdict
Anyway, it is as good as it gets. There's a sound and fulfilling closure to the Skywalker Chapter, and I sincerely hope the Star Wars Saga continues.