A bit too much (but fine, I guess?)

Rating: 6/10 (24 December 2019)

It is not easy to end a trilogy (or a...nine-ogy?). The fact that this movie mostly works, manages closure, and has some epic final moments means it did okay. That said - much like Return of the Jedi - it did not live up to its predecessors. There were a few too many callbacks, a few too many endings, and a WAY too many earnest moments when characters told the audience how they should feel and what they should learn. (Plus, the movie just kept undoing itself over and over?) More than anything, I just wanted fewer speeches and cameos. Still, Rey has been the character that made you care and cheer for a while now (and Kylo Ren was not far behind), bringing a sense of newness and familiarity that made this whole thing work. It was pretty rewarding to see the end of that journey, even if I wanted a bit more dueling and a bit less talking.
PS - I also have some issues with, you know, the entire plot and structure of this movie which kept getting distracted by pointless reveals and new backstories. But I could have lived with that if it told the story well.