Nostalgia, Done, Right.

Rating: 8/10 (20 December 2019)

First and foremost, if you're an older fan of Star Wars, the insignificant parts of this movie will move you, and maybe more so than what Disney intended for the "all-encompassing" story that you're supposed to focus on. But, that's okay, and that's what "I" and most certainly "you" need. With that being said, I only have two things to say.
1. When Rey arrives on Ahch-To and you see Kylo's fighter burning, you KNOW the only way for her to leave is to fly "Red V" that has been sitting under water for years, as seen in TLJ. Then, the moment you see Luke raising it from the water, it just pulls your heart strings. I cried like the little kid I was. It brought back 5 year old me sitting in front of a square, curved SD TV watching The Empire Strikes Back in 1995. Oh, how I rooted for Luke like the hero he would become while realizing that his failure to raise the X-Wing made him human like me. It made him relatable and it made me root for him even more because "we" were witnessing his growth together. But, when we saw Yoda peacefully raise the X-Wing and say, "That is why you fail", it established a presence in Luke. It made him realize that ANYTHING WAS POSSIBLE. It was a turning point, for us, and him. Because of this, when Luke raised his X-Wing for Rey, it was a passing of the torch and it was done wonderfully. I sobbed.
2. Lastly, is this the greatest Star Wars movie ever made? Not at all, but it doesn't have to be. This movie does exactly what it should have done. It combined nostalgia, fan service, and a new story into a complex, yet wonderful ending that no one should be ashamed of. It is as if I am at peace now. At peace from having waited so long to see the end of this story. It could have been done better, but that's not the point. You need to watch this movie with the same mindset as when you watched the original trilogy. When you do, you can relax. It's a Star Wars movie after all. Be a kid and relish it.