It's Ridiculous, Silly, but Fun...

Rating: 7/10 (21 December 2019)

Something that was sorely lacking in the Last Jedi, a movie that thinks it's much smarter than it actually is, with twists and turns that nobody expects OR wants. The Rise of Skywalker is much 'safer' in it's twists, but in my opinion, for the better. It doesn't bewilder the audience because it's convoluted or completely underwhelming, it bewilders the audience because it's done a complete 180' on the previous film, almost unapologetically mocking Rian Johnson in the process.
As a series, this trilogy DOES NOT work AT ALL. That much is very clear. There will be very few people who will like all the episodes, because episode 8 is so unlike the other 2, and any other Star Wars movie ever conceived. But to be honest, although I'm only giving this movie a 7, you have to really commend J.J. Abram's for what he's managed to do here. He has CRAMMED in as much as he possibly can to right the wrongs left by Johnson, and the fact he was even remotely successful in doing so is kind of a miracle in it's own right. But it's also hurt by this need to try and correct and/or explain everything, making the movie feel extremely rushed in the measly 2 hours and 20 minutes it has.
Things in this movie do not make sense at all. The main threat of the movie is completely unexplained and leaves huge questions about the original trilogy and the prequels. But to be honest, It makes even the most pedantic of Star Wars fans stop caring. Not because it's bad, but because it's just fun. Almost like a fan-fiction. It definitely has the heart of a Star Wars movie. It may not be technically good narratively, but it has heart. Very akin to the George Lucas era in that regard.