Eric Hines

***Spoilers*** Having seen this twice in as many days while avoiding all related media I stand uncontaminated and fully locked in on my opinion. I really like this movie. I enjoyed the second viewing more than the first. This due to the frantic pace of the first half hour or so, which I returned well prepared for. Basically the beginning of the movie is episode 8.5. This is where J.J. crams in as many plot devices, certain-point-of-viewesque explanations and retcons as he can within a very short time frame in order to bring the saga to a place more to his liking. That means disregarding Rian Johnson's somewhat hopeless ending of episode 8 in which left the Resistance at the brink of total annihilation, it's remaining few members scrambling around in a cave. With a simple time skip Episode 9 resets the conflict to essentially what it was in Force Awakens. Kylo Ren, being unstable and frankly questionable as a true Morgoth-style bigbad, is demoted to second-in-command in favor of a more traditional malevolent villain. Enter Zombie Palpatine on a stick, undoubtedly the Emperor's creepiest incarnation. This is the first Star Wars film that really drives home how profoundly weird and scary the Sith are. Exegul is kind of terrifying. I tip my cap, solid work there for sure. For all other matters regarding plotting and pacing and other such things, I happily leave that for others. To me, Star Wars has never been great literature. It's strength has been it's ability to make me care about its characters, some very strange ones at that. The funny thing is, I'm actually more intrigued about the futures of this batch of characters than the original gang. Everything seemed so settled then. Now, it's like, does ole Palpy have a few more horcruxes scattered around the galaxy? How long before this thing flares up again? You know Disney will see to it that it does. Anyway, Loved: - Palpatine in general, but force lighting storm to disable the entire galactic fleet? Wow. - Lando, seriously he was really good. So glad he was in it. - The last smile of Ben Solo - Han - Leia - Force-ghost Luke weighing in on the TLJ saber-throwing controversy. - Babu Frick, we need more of this little guy, definitely. - Finn's developing force abilities, and just his character overall. Finally gave him some good material, and an ongoing quest. - Poe's self doubt at receiving the mantle of leadership he once clamored for. Impressive growth. Backstory sounds cool, like something out of the Mandalorian. - Jedi voices speaking to Rey - Rey returning to Luke's home on Tatooine. What a sad and haunting place that is. Jeez. - Chewie's anguish at the death of the Princess. I didn't enjoy it his pain, but I appreciate that I actually felt it. - "Rey Skywalker." - Whatever dance those aliens were doing at the festival. I found it hypnotic and oddly familiar... Missed opportunities: - As much as I liked it, the Galactic Uprising could have hit WAY harder if the filmakers had set it up better. Reminded me of Mass Effect when all of the friends and alliances you've forged along the way come to your aid in the final battle. - Someone said this, but VISIBLE force ghosts of Jedi from ages past reaching out, lending their power to Rey in the darkness of Exegul would have been an incredible visual. This is a classic for me. Very re-watchable.