Re: Star Wars IX: rumors, spoilers beware!!!
WARNING: SPOILERS INCOMING!!
So I am of two minds for this film. On the one hand as someone that HATED TLJ I love that they basically gave that film the middle finger. It is blatantly obvious this was where the story was supposed to end up in JJs mind and Rian Johnson sidetracked that by trying to subvert expectations and deconstruct the story. This film matches The Force Awakens and is the narrative conclusion to all of those stories. It is also weighed down by having to tell a portion of the story that TLJ never got around to.
On the other hand, because TLJ exists it might have been better if they had just finished the trilogy off his way instead of making the first half of this film a proto "Episode 8.5". There is too much going on, too many stories that come out of nowhere, some that disappear and too many payoffs that dont quite land because there just wasnt enough care put into the relationships of the characters. The entire "Poe/Finn/Rey" dynamic was uber forced because they have spent almost no time together on screen. It felt incomplete...hell I still dont even see the purpose of those characters all they do is yell, fly around and call each other "buddy". Finn especially is just a wasted opportunity. That he is "Force Sensitive" could have been a cool story to explore...instead he just kind of hints at it and we move on. Poe being a spice runner...yeah shut up you arent Han Solo.
Now with all of that said the movie is "satisfying" in that it finishes its story and it cleans up a TON of messes. In my mind it does a better job subverting expectations (especially Rey and Kylo) than TLJ ever could hope to. Kylo/Ben was 10000000 times better in this film than TLJ. (his redemption I REALLY dug especially cause it gave the finger to the Reylo crap) Luke was done so much better in his brief scene than he was in all of his story in TLJ. (he also basically apologizes for how bad he was in that film which I found funny) The Emperor was ok, mainly because his story comes out of nowhere. TLJ should have set him up. The opening scene of this film should have been the closing scene of the last film. Kylo should have left after Rey helped the "Rebellion" escape and found the Emperor. They didnt do that...so his whole story was rushed to high heaven. Leia's story was ****ed near perfect (including her training flashback) and the cameo I didnt have spoiled (my guess the one you loved the most Scooby) really made the last 1/3 of the film a joy. Rey's story finally stopped sucking too because her lineage finally makes sense. Having her be a Palpatine is WAY better than having her be a Skywalker or Kenobi. This story is more simplistic, but in being simplistic it is a way better narrative.
The Rey and Kylo fights were great and when they are using the force on the ship in the desert that was friggin sweet! When Ben fights the Knights of Ren that was also very cool. The final space battle was also fun though kind of wasted. At least I dont have to riot though as the Ewoks got a cameo
Ultimately though I look back at this trilogy as a missed opportunity. It was one movie away from being epic. If they had let Rian make some other film and had JJ (or someone like him) make a more "Star Warsy" type Episode 8 this ending would have made the saga complete and above reproach. As it is the series is OK with moments of brilliance and mind numbing stupidity. Disney obviously had no plan for this trilogy which is fine...but the problem is like almost everything Star Wars related they do it just doesnt feel right and almost feels like they are just throwing darts at an idea board and hoping to find a direction. And I dont buy for 1 second this is the end of the saga BTW...they had her change her name for a reason.
I give the first half of the film a 5 because it just is so bloated and convoluted there is no room to breathe. Every second of film has some piece of exposition trying to give part of the story Episode 8 never gave us. The film almost collapses under the weight of it. Once Chewie gets captured though things settle to a good pace and the film gets good. Second half gets an 8.5. Overall I would give it a solid 7...
Since I dont pay I might see it again and see if it flows better once you know what is and is not important
