Taj Heer

There is a definite wow factor in this film; albeit unfortunately more to do with the genius of modern software/CGI as opposed to the plot and consistency with the storyline that people of my age have grown up with. One could argue that JJA is the ultimate Star (Wars) Destroyer; as the move away from the prophecy of the one that will bring balance to the force is quite alarming. Far too many moments that have raised expectations across the previous films have unfortunately gone unaddressed or unmanaged. A few notable ones include the faith that Palps put into Vader as becoming stronger than either Yoda or Palps being misplaced? (he must have known about Rey at that point); was what happened on Mortis with Anakin bringing balance to the force in the Clone Wars a complete waste of time? and the biggest one of them all - Anakin as being the only one that will bring balance to the force. Let's be honest here - the whole Luke and Leia thing doesn't really work as they were hardly shown as powerful figures across episodes IV-VI - so why on earth are they shown as being the ones that are more symbiotically aligned to the force in this episode - even more so that Yoda, Q-Gin, Mace, Kitt, Obi and the daddy of them all - Anakin! This whole Rey thing doesn't float my boat either - never has. I guess the story line of her lineage is a good way to tie her to the force (and the way she wields it without understanding why), but could she have had more of an interaction with her Grandpa Palps? - I think so. JJA has however done a great job with Kylo - ultimate redemption and quite a tragic figure - almost Shakespearean. JJA could have made more of the Sith hideout too - legible statues of the likes of Vader, Raven, Bane, Plagueis etc would have made the scenes as dramatic and awe inspiring as a number of ones from the Lord of The Rings trilogy - a big opportunity missed. The tone of the film often went from comedic to dark - with a lot of confused and pointless subplots and themes that didn't flow together as well as they could have. What was the reason to bring Lando back? Sure; as a cinematic spectacle, the visual effects are excellent; but for me as a purist fan over the past 42 years, I think the ending was one that betrayed the underpinning of all of the films - i.e. Anakin Skywalker. As an alternative ending - imagine this; If at the point of Palps getting pretty peed at his granddaughter and apprentice of the last few years - he leaves them for dead and as shown starts to resurrect himself in his old form; - There is an almighty green flash that brings an older Anakin back to the for in the form of a force ghost; who then states that he is back from the nether world to bring balance to the force once and for all - and with that an almighty fight-off ensues between the two greatest powers of the Force of all time - imagine that!! - and at the end, we see Anakin fade away and slowly both Rey and Kylo resurrect as the remaining force users in the galaxy....or good grandpa and grandson have a massive duel with bad grandad and granddaughter!! Anyway; a visual spectacle it was; but an end to the saga that does justice to the whole Skywalker thingy - I don't think so. Many will disagree with what I say, but as a mid/late 40's person who has grown up with these films from 1977; I feel starved forever of an ending that wraps up all the loose ends pertaining to Anakin. Call me a party pooper - that's fine; but I stand by what I say. Well done to JJA for the visuals; but honestly; I can't agree with the route that he has taken - very much a GOT type of ending - one to be forgotten and I fear that one which will ultimately make the whole Star Wars saga forgotten in time.