Not a bad movie, but not a great one

Rating: Null/10 (5 January 2018)

For all of those who feel betrayed, disappointed, and upset (I can relate) this movie is not a 1, 2, or 3 stars out of 10. No matter how you look at it the movie is not that bad. Please be honest/realistic when you rate instead of lashing out in anger.
Now the movie. Did I enjoy it? Yes. Was it at all what I was expecting? No. However it doesn't have to be nor should it. The special effects, music, costumes, and choreography during the fight scenes were awesome. The set locations were some of the best we've seen in a while. I loved the salt planet even if it did seem a little too Empire Strike Back in its use.
As for the story it starts out great, but for me when we got to the scene where Leia floats through space is when it started to drag, and leave me questioning some of the decisions and direction. Now everything from there isn't bad, it's just hit or miss, or for lack of a better term poorly executed.
For example I don't have an issue with Snoke dying (if in fact he is dead), but for a sith supposedly as powerful as he's presented to be he gets taken out pretty easy. If anything his death is premature. IMO an example of poor execution. If he can do things such as connect Rey, and Kylo across the vastness of space, feel every intention, thought of Kyle through the force then how come he can't feel him using the force right in front of him, or the lightsaber moving.
Another issue for me that ties into this is Kylo use of the force. I was never sold on his abilities, or him being as powerful as Snoke states he is. Is he powerful yes, but it's not how he uses the force, but his attitude/behavior that kills it for me. Plus the fact that he is bested by an untrained scavenger in the TFA that I'm just not sold he can best Snoke.
Speaking of Kylo he seems to have matured since TFA, and for the most part he has. I enjoyed his character throughout the movie. The dialogue between him and Rey especially. It's not until the end before he fights Luke that he regresses back into emo Vader acting like a adolescent teen.
Moving on I was disappointed with the lack of character development for Finn. He was one of my favorite characters in TFA, but in this movie no character development until the end when he tries to sacrifice himself. No additional backstory, and like the first movie he starts out tr to run away.
Rose? Not a bad character. I enjoyed her character introduction , and interaction with Finn in the beginning, but ultimarely her character left me bored.
Talking about these two the Vegas scene didn't bother me with the casino, animals, and little kids. What did bother me was them being thrown in prison with all there clothing, a wrist watch to get the current reading on fuel consumption oh and a coder who still has all his clothing, and hidden tools who decides not to break out until Finn and Rose show up. Huh? Again poor execution.
Now our two other main characters. Rey. My biggest issue with this film is we have built SO much mystery and hype surrounding her parentage. First we have the scene in the dark side cave on the island. Which was pretty cool by the way only to be left disappointed when the reflection is her? Ok fine keep teasing us. Then we finally make it to that moment when Kylo states he knows and prods her to say it that we get our answer...junkers....nobodies. Really!?! That's the best we could do. So anti climatic and very infuriating for everyone who's waited 2 yrs. Sorry but this was the biggest disappointment of the film. I was angry. No I don't expect Rey to be related to some great Jedi, or Sith, but nobodies? IF that is the where were going then there is no way she could have done what she did in TFA without training. No Jedi has ever done it before her.
Finally Luke. My favorite character in this movie besides Rey and Kylo. He did a great job bringing Luke to life. I especially loved the flashbacks of younger Luke during the temple scenes with Kylo. The force projection was especially cool and a unique take on the force. The scene with Yoda was an awesome surprise, and handled well.
With that said this isn't Luke. The handling of his character could/should have been different. Do I have a problem with him dying? Absolutely not. It's necessary in order to usher in a new era and push the story forward. Just like it was necessary for Han to die in order to send Kylo over the edge and fully to the dark side. I just hate the way executed it. Luke instead of owning up to his mistake (was it really his mistake or anything he could do?) is reduced to a miserable nomad who is in hiding and just wants to die.
Again very anti climatic since we built up all this mystery about there being an awakening in TFA (Rey), and R2-D2 coming to life to finish the map with BB8. Like Luke knew it was time in TFA. However any of that story is tossed aside like it never happened. One final question? Why was Luke's lightsaber blue in the final battle? I know it's nitpicking but that baffled me.
I could go on, but this review is already long enough. Ultimately the explanation of Rey's parents, poor treatment of Finn, Luke, and the confusing or should I say glaring plot holes killed it for me. A lot of the groundwork laid out in TFA is just ignored, or never explained. In the end this movie left me amazed, conflicted, nostalgic, but ultimately disappointed. I am really not excited about Episode IX. In fact this is the first time I'm seriously considering not purchasing The Last Jedi when it comes out on Blu-Ray.