A fitting ending to an inter-generational legend.

Rating: 9/10 (20 December 2019)

Finishing off this nine movie phenomenon was never going to be easy. Like Game of Thrones recently found out (and to an extent the previous movie, The Last Jedi), it is anextraordinarily difficult line to tread between fan service and trying something a bit different. It is left to one of the few genuine storytellers to try to pull this off, and I am delighted to say that he has done so. It is by no means a perfect movie but it is difficult to see how it could have been given what was riding on it.
TLJ was too devisive to call a genuine success so some recalibration was needed. To that end, we get the return of Palpatine and Lando who ably justify their inclusion. It is also noticeable that previously sidelined stalwarts of the series get more chance to shine here, righting some of the perceived wrongs of previous entries to the series. The script is forced at times but, on the whole, rattles along at a good pace. The standout performance is Daisy Ridley, who has the screen presence to hold the story on course. She is the glue to which everything sticks. There are surprises, twists and laughs but they do not become distracting. They are also genuine moments which will bring a tear to the eye of those of us that have been there since the beginning. All in all, it has it all. I did say it was not perfect but I can't explain these without huge spoilers so you will have to judge these yourselves.
This is not The Empire Strikes Back, but neither is it Attack of the Clones! It is about as good an ending as we could hope for and therefore worthy of your hard earned currency.