The movie that brought me back to Star Wars

Rating: 10/10 (16 December 2017)

I was once a big fan of Star Wars and grew up even watching the Ewoks movies. The Phantom Menace came out and I wasn't as disappointed as most people because as much as the movie had its major issues, the lightsaber duel we got was a first of its kind on film and it made it worth paying for. Episode II was unwatchable and because of how terrible it was, took me time to finally watch Episode III. I gave up on Star Wars because of the Prequels, or maybe I just grew out of it.
Then came the Force Awakens and it was a retelling of the Original Trilogy. Too many problems to list, but the Last Jedi, for me was the "Last" time I'd give Star Wars another chance and at the Fan Event last night wholly smokes it made me feel for Star Wars again. Maybe it was nostalgia or it was the POSSIBILITIES of the future of Star Wars that makes this movie worth watching and you'll know what I mean when you see it.
Unlike TFA, I'm connecting with the new characters now (except for Rose, maybe IX will be better for her), for the first time I finally see who Kylo Ren is rather than just another "sith guy". I didn't care for Rey before, but now I do. It was funny and what critics have said is true. The only complaint I had was that it was TOO LONG, BUT isn't that what we all wanted? Didn't we always wish for that in the past, but now what we have it it's a problem? Come on lighten up and maybe it's not the Empire Strikes Back, but I agree with others that it's right up there.