Michael DeMent

Unlike some movies I gotta watch at least two times to fully comprehend, this movie is easy to understand the first time. The Disney trademark predictably diverges this story acutely from realism towards the classic fairytale. In previous Star Wars, Stormtroopers missed a lot. However, in this this one, Stormtroopers can’t even hit a barn door from two feet away- while the good guys are the best marksmen ever conceived from a zygote. Disney makes “feel good” movies, and this is no exception. I was just a wee sprite of 7 or 8 when I saw that original Star Wars. (over 25 times) Here in 2019, the effects were completely over the top. Yes, I confess it did make me feel good. I give Rise of Skywalker an A minus. It’s very, very good- not quite excellent.

This is my first & possibly last review. Fictional people are ez to spot. Yet, I accepted these characters as actual dysfunctional, ordinary humans with the texture of real people.

Expectations were high. The results were sad. There was an extraordinary opportunity to create something spectacular. It needed to be mind-blowing & original. Fail. Series over.

Next Generation was my very favorite back in the day, and Captain Jean Luc Picard was an actual role model in my youth. So far, this new series feels contrived & tossed together. One of the best (top5) Next Gen episodes (Yesterday’s Enterprise) depicts the alternate reality theme much better from almost every aspect. In interviews, Sir Patrick Stewart says he personally brainstormed (even wrote) much of this new material whereas Captain Picard would’ve delegated to his most qualified officer. Even so, it’s because Stewart is so personally invested.. that’s why I’m giving this show more time to decide. I want to like it. I’m trying to like it. I just wish I could “make it so.”