Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker review — Not the worst, not the best, but totally satisfying.

There are so many pleasing plot twists and pop-up appearances in this, the final chapter of one of the one of the most successful franchises of all time, that it’s a very difficult film to review. If I say it has too many this’s or that’s (which it does), it could totally spoil some excellent surprises.

So I’m left with giving you my impression of the film as a whole, which is by no means negative, but not overwhelmingly positive either. I’d give it about a 6.5 on a scale of 1-10. In an effort to wrap things up, there is so much frantic racing around that some of the characters and plot points don’t receive the emotional depth and development I would have liked to see, especially from Rey (Daisy Ridley) who is a heroine for the ages. Can that girl ever use the force! She’s the one I’ll miss the most.

The one I’ll miss the least is repurposed footage Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia. Movie magic was used to incorporate her into the film, and it’s quite distracting. And those over the shoulder/behind the back head shots, a device they’ve been using on TV since the 1960’s, are not worthy of a film of this magnitude.

That may be a low point, but there are also many high points. Viewers will especially enjoy the opportunity to get last, fond looks at some of their favorite characters (spoiler alert! Jar Jar Binks is not among them). And while there are some poignant endings, there are also some wonderful beginnings. New characters and new roles for old ones are satisfying without being gratuitous.

So while it’s not the best film of the year, or even of the franchise, it’s still definitely a must-see for anyone who even has a vague connection to Star Wars. Thank you writer/director J.J. Abrams, for not messing it up.

Rated PG-13

2 Hours 35 Minutes

Hopefully this Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker review will help you remember to buy your tickets in advance. You don’t want to go all the way to the theater and risk it being sold out. Get times and tickets at Fandango.com.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker review — Not the worst, not the best, but totally satisfying.

See makeovers of celebrity homes in Beverly Hills and celebrity homes in Hollywood.

See the latest movie reviews

See the latest TV news

All on At Home In Hollywood