Both a very good movie and fitting conclusion to the Trilogy and Saga...

Rating: 9/10 (2 January 2020)

I saw this movie on the very first day of the new decade, the final chapter of the Saga which has spanned forty odd years of my life. Overall, I was pleasantly surprised how it was able to bring a fitting conclusion to most of the core elements of the Trilogy, and serve as the final word on some classic core Star Wars plot-lines. Is this movie outstanding and in the realm of the classics? Absolutely not. However, Abrams and the rest of the screenwriting crew in my opinion did a fine job restoring the narrative from the odd and questionable turns taken in Episode VIII... Visually, the movie is stunning. Obviously there's a ton of CGI throughout, yet I found it hard to recognise the blending, as compared to say the Prequel Trilogy. There is so much action and story packed into the movie - too much in fact. The overall pacing is more what you'd expect from a superhero movie. The twists and turns in the story are enjoyable though. The cameos are well pulled off; they are natural and genuine, not forced or schmaltzy... Many general observers of film have recognised and acknowledged that Abrams would be panned regardless of the movie he turned out here. In some respects that can be expected, saying goodbye to characters that have transcended even the film genre in popular culture. We remember the original movies romantically, and can't fathom a physical ending. Just as in life itself - a reverence for birth and youth, with a fear and denial of death. On the other hand, modern Star Wars fandom does have a unique vitriol underpinning the passion.
I will conclude my thoughts with a piece of advice for both Star Wars fans, and others still deciding whether to see this movie. Completely ignore any review you read around here that is four stars or below - it's likely to be either from merely a silly troll, or review bomber.