Not perfect but close

Rating: 8/10 (13 January 2018)

****SPOILERS****
From looking at the reviews for this on here and around the web I was sceptical going into the movie. I purposely avoided spoilers and only looked at reviews to get an idea of the general feeling towards the movie, which was not great.
However, to my shock I was amazed by the film. Coming put of the cinema I was extremily happy with the final product. After viewing the film two more times I still really liked it.
Now I understand some of the criticism's towards the film. I agree that DJ, played by Benicio del Toro, is terrible and the whole subplot with Finn and Rose doesnt work. It seems like it could have been taken out entirely and the film would not have suffered.
However, I do disagee with a lot of the criticism's towards the film. First of I really liked the characterisation of Luke. I felt like I really understood why he was so reluctant to take part in this war. He was the one that helped create Kylo Ren and was ashamed, he realised that the idea of light vs dark, and the Jedi were wrong, and he believed that the only way to solve it was to let it all die naturally, so he cut himself off. Despite this he still got his redemption he went from being a scared man ashamed of what he had done to the Luke Skywalker I grew up with. I loved the idea that just the sight of Luke Skywalker was enough to bring hope back to the galaxy, he didnt need to fight anyone he just had to be seen. He was an always will be our hope in the universe, he was the new hope that we got introduced to in Episode IV. He is my Luke Skywalker and seeing his return to glory was everything I dreamed of. And the complaints that he was going to kill Kylo is something I dont understand, to me he was never going to kill him. He had a small moment of weakness and thought he could do it to save everyone, but here is the imorant part, HE DIDN'T DO IT. He didn't kill him, he never came close he just had a moment of weakness and fear.
The idea that Phasma was wasted isnt something I had a problem with. For me the idea of her was to be a visually stunning character and thats it. This isnt new to Star Wars, she is compared to Boba Fett and if you think back he never really did much, he just looked cool.
I also liked the twists with Rey and Snoke. I love that her parents dont matter, I think it is a good thing for Star Wars not to have every character connected. I also liked the Snoke twist, because this trilogy is not about Snoke or Rey's parents, its about Kylo Ren and Rey and I love that my expectations where adverted. I love that I never saw it coming and was suprised by something.
I really liked the new characters, other than DJ. I also like Rose deapite not liking her subplot.
I even thought the message of the film was perfect, let the past die, especially after The Force Awakens, which I really liked, a film very much about appreciating the past. It was a great idea to have a film about letting go of the past follow one all about throwbacks.
Overall I love this film more than I thought and will continue to love it despite what many other people think. I believe that one of the films biggest achievements is leaving me without any idea what is going to happen in Episode IX.
Good:

Luke Skywalker
Rey & Kylo Ren
The Twists
The Visuals
Poe & Leia
Yoda's Cameo (I had a tear at this point)
The opening sequence
Everything with Rey and Kylo in the throne room
Chewie being an amazing pilot on his own

Bad

DJ
Canto Bight
Finn & Rose's subplot
Admiral Ackbar's death