The Most disappointing movie I've ever seen

Rating: 4/10 (19 January 2020)

Given the backlash to Star Wars: The Last Jedi, I expected Episode IX to be a fan service heavy movie that played it safer than the previous movie. It would make sense, considering that Empire was followed by Return of the Jedi that was closer in spirit to the first movie. As someone who enjoyed the Force Awakens, and loved the Last Jedi, I was expecting was a well-made and character-driven story that would expand on what came before and tie up any loose ends. As the opening scene happened, I was super excited, Kylo killing weird cult like soldiers and being a badass, then as the movie went on, I had the growing feeling of J.J. Abrams shrinking the galaxy. Everything in this trilogy feels like a take back, and when I thought they would play it relatively safe, I could not imagine the real nightmare I was in for. The problem with TROS is that it walks back a number of genuinely great reveals and plot threads from the last movie, and spends its entire run time adding painful "plot twists" to try and please "toxic, screaming, fans" that they are still the "chosen ones" of the pop culture galaxy. Forget all the great and interesting things about the sequels, don't worry, Snoke gets a backstory, Rey's parents are someone, and there's plenty of cameos that'll cater to some Star Wars fans. I just find it so weird that the 1 star reviews for TLJ all say it's not what fans wanted to see, and all the 1 star reviews for TROS say it's just not very good. But also all the 5 star reviews of TLJ talk about how it's a great film, and all the 5 star reviews for TROS talk about how it ticks all the boxes that "fans wanted to see". The RT critic and audience score being polar opposite is nothing new, but it is something interesting to consider. I fall on the side of critics in the cast of most Star Wars movies. This movie is all about he destination and not the journey, but to me at least, the best Star Wars movie are all about the characters. This movies break neck pace doesn't help either, it's relentless from minute one. Maybe two or three small moments are allowed to be compelling, but that's it, there just small moments and there's not enough of them. It's all go, go, go and I just want it to slow down. It's shorter than the last movie which baffles me, this really could have benefited from a longer run time to explain things and allow for breathing room. So many things are hand waved, how is Palpatine back? Clones! Where did he get his fleet? Idk... who were all those hooded dudes on Exegol? Idk either... When did Palpatine have a son? Who cares... for me... this movie broke my heart. I'm so bummed that Star Wars has to succumb to the dark side, and try to please everyone and their mothers, stick with the story you were telling. The Last Jedi set it up for virtually anything to happen, and the best JJ and Chris Terrio can come up with, is a thousand Death Stars... really? That's it? Great... whatever... TLJ is so much better than this...