Tries to fix what the last movie broke

Rating: 10/10 (8 January 2020)

SUPER loved this movie. I was 13 years old, voted in Tiger Beat's contest (should Princess Leia end up with Luke or Han), and loved Luke. I saw this movie 13 times - which is a lot for 1978. Luke has always been my favorite character. I've watched the original trilogy more times than imaginable. My own children grew up with the prequels and the animated series, so I know Star Wars. I'm not a 'fly by' fan. The Force Awakes - wow! The gasp of the murder of Han Solo in the theater was like a scream when so many did it at once. I was SO happy to see The Last Jedi, hoping to have answers to so many questions from the first...who was Rey? What happened to Phasma? What was Luke going to do? I waited through the WHOLE first movie to see Luke for two seconds so I was thrilled to learn what had happened. BUT - OMG - The Last Jedi didn't answer anything like I suspected. Evil Snoke was gone in a flash. Phasma, who? Rey is no one. Let alone the idea of poor Princess Leia turning into Mary Poppins...especially since she passed away! WHY didn't he change that scene??? Who would do that??!! SO - I was hoping Finn would wake from a 'dream' of the horror of the last film, when The Rise of Skywalker opens. I hated the second film in this trilogy so much that I don't own it. I own every bit of movie/animated series out there. I happen to really like Solo. I think it suffered coming out so near that horrible film. I loved how the leads had Han and Lando's mannerisms ... how we had a back story on favorite characters. SO - fingers crossed - we went to see The Rise of Skywalker at 6pm on Thursday - the night of opening. YES! It tried so hard to wrap up all of those mistakes from the last film. Rey, Poe, and Finn - along with the droids and Chewy - THAT's what was missing from the second movie! I loved the 'feel' of the film. It was so Star Wars! It dealt with the death of Carrie Fisher in a respectable way. It brought up a kite fair celebration that happens only every 42 years - I counted in my head - YES!! That's the original Star Wars date!! YAY!! There are so many WOW moments in this film. So many times to break out in claps. I SUPER loved this movie!