Could've been a lot worse; could be better

Rating: 7/10 (30 December 2019)

No spoilers, just opinion. This is not the worst Star Wars film, but it's one that reveals so many weaknesses, as it does it strengths. That it's the 9th movie in a very flawed franchise says much of the passion of fans and the film makers. No, it's not a cash grab, but a labour of love from all those involved. Perhaps too much love, as what is jettisoned is good story writing (for a plot that unravels the moment you begin thinking about it), a decent script and that sense of wonder from the first trilogy. What we get is an apologetic love-letter to the series, which is great on some levels, disappointing on others. Could this have been better? Given a year of re-writes and less sentiment, yes. So much better. Would that have made a Star Wars film? No. Star Wars is a sentimental series, full of flaws. It's the ending it deserved. The first film could've so easily failed. It didn't deserve Empire which is one of the finest SF films made. Return of the Jedi was a fitting sequel. And so is this. Rejoice that its ended, and not so badly. And that Phantom Menace wasnt the swan-song we could so easily have had.