An entertaining end to a great series of movies.

Rating: 9/10 (19 December 2019)

Many comments on here seem to be from people claiming to be fans yet missing the details of earlier films in the 3 trilogies. Many of their complaints and incorrect assumptions have been addressed and have been closed out quite nicely. This is a very entertaining story which does tie in with Anakin and Luke's stories and leaves few, if any, questions that need an answer for me. Maybe those people aren't thinkers and requires crayons for explanation.
For those slating the film (no doubt the same people who slated the prequel trilogy for changing things) consider this. In the materials devised by George Lucas for a follow up trilogy whilst making the original 3 in the 70s/80s the emperor was meant to return in episode 9 for a big finale. This is what we got and despite the worst assumptions others have made, George Lucas was consulted before the script was started.
Warning - Spoilers
Palpatine's resurrection was alluded to in Episode 3 when palpatine was on the case with Anakin. He named a Sith who had learned to use the force to reverse death itself.
Reference to the original trilogy is made in several parts throughout the film. The return of Lando, the fight on Endor, the Episode 6 death star, the return to Tattooine to name a few.
In the prequel trilogy Palpatine used underhand politics and deception to gain power. Even as the "all powerful" Sith he could not simply take over. Jedi and Sith alike can be and were killed throughout the story. Furthermore, Rey was floating within two rings of floating stones asking for the Jedi ghosts to be with her early in the film. They didnt join her then but did later. No doubt the same applied with the Sith in that they needed to prove themselves first.
The Last Order fleet being kept in close proximity is a simple one. The area of concealed space that the Sith homeworld is hidden within is small. The emperor was in hiding, using the first order as puppets through his influence (he created Snoke) to wipe out the new republic/resistance. He had already lost one war so led others to fight instead, intending to emerge once the resistance was all but gone, hence Episode 8. Within that confined space the ships required navigational aid in the form of a tower, hence two reasons for the proximity.
I could go on explaining these things from the finer details picked up when watching the earlier films but that would be far too long. Suffice to say, ignore the nay sayers and those backing the film 100%. I thoroughly enjoyed it and it is in no way perfect, no film ever is.
Go and watch it to decide for yourself.