9.7 Stars... and here's why.

Rating: 10/10 (20 December 2019)

First things first, I want you to know that I'm a storyteller myself. Because of this, I'm overly critical when things aren't done right, and very vocal when they are.
The sets, lighting, costumes, etc. were fantastic. I adored the new characters and thought they fit in perfectly (I wish we had seen them in 8, but oh well) and the plot kept you thinking from minute one.
The first 20 minutes, I was overly worried that I wouldn't like it. It felt bumpy, a little rushed, and there wasn't much time to "settle in".
However, it exceeded my expectations. The characters were raw, real, and relatable. I loved the new iconic trio (Poe, Finn, and Rey) and thought they did really well developing the platonic relationships.
I adored Ben's redemption and thought it was perfectly fitting. And I loved how he was turned by his parents, not by Rey. It was truly beautiful.
The reason I knocked .3 of a star off is because I felt like Ben's death was unnecessary, no matter how beautiful and well-done it was. He could have easily lived, and that's what bothered me the most.
I'm also disappointed with how creepy it was. I was going to take my younger sisters, but now I can't- and we're all bummed. It was a fitting creepy, though (think LOTR), so I don't mind it TOO much.
Overall, I really enjoyed it and think it was a fitting conclusion to the saga.
And to my fellow Reylo fans who have been teased since 2015- yes, we get that space kiss.