A little messy and inconsistent at times, but overall a satisfying conclusion to the skywalker saga

Rating: 6/10 (22 December 2019)

It is pretty evident from the beginning that there wasn't an overall plan for the trilogy before production began. There are certain plot points that come out of nowhere without any set up from previous movies. The main examples being the return of Palpatine and the retconing of Rey's parentage. Palpatine's return was so abrupt and it is clearly understood that it wasn't something they had planned before. Rey's parents being no one was an interesting plot point and it fit her arc well in the last jedi, but that aspect was altered in order to please the fans. There are also a few other examples which showcases the conflicting ideas of Rian Johnson and JJ Abrams. The constant mcguffin chases in the first act become a little tiring after a while. The part where they discover the assassins ship and the dagger felt like a very convenient coincidence and was just lazily written. Palpatine's plan is all over the place and doesn't make much sense.
That being said, the movie also has a lot of positive aspects as well. The character arcs of Kylo Ren and Rey were executed perfectly. There was great chemistry between the lead characters although some relationships should have been more fleshed out, since they lack an emotional impact, especially the relationship between Rey and Leia. The performances by the entire main cast were top notch, especially Adam Driver as Kylo Ren who is without a doubt, the best aspect of the sequel trilogy. The fan service was handled very well and was mostly interwoven with the main plot, although it might feel slightly pandering at times. The action sequences and visuals were among the best in the entire franchise.The concept of the force was explored through some new and interesting ways, which gave us some great sequences. The sendoff given to Luke, Leia and Han were also executed well.
Eventhough the plot is slightly messy and inconsistent with the previous 2 movies, the rise of Skywalker is still a highly entertaining and satisfying conclusion that may not have utilized it's full potential