Daisy Ridley poses as she attends the premiere of "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker" in London. AFP

"The Rise of Skywalker" was meant to provide a satisfying conclusion to nine "Star Wars" films but for many critics, its aim was as wide of the mark as a storm trooper in a blaster battle.

Director J.J. Abrams's return to the space saga has been slammed as unoriginal and slavishly pandering to the franchise's rabid core fanbase.

It has a score of 57 percent from around 150 critics on movies website Rotten Tomatoes — the worst of any live-action "Star Wars" episode since the panned prequel "The Phantom Menace" two decades ago.

J. J. Abrams poses on the red carpet upon arrival for the European film premiere of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker in London.

The Los Angeles Times called it "an epic failure of nerve" with a "succession of cheap 'gotcha!' twists."

"In its anxiety not to offend, it comes off more like fan fiction than the creation of actual professional filmmakers," said Time magazine.

For The Hollywood Reporter, the movie's "more-is-more approach ultimately leaves one both bloated from too many courses and uncertain about some of the ingredients."

Cast member Oscar Isaac poses as he attends the premiere of "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker." Reuters

Many reviewers have compared it unfavourably to the previous instalment, "The Last Jedi" (2017), now widely seen as a more experimental "Star Wars" film which critics enjoyed but which enraged a vocal minority of hard-core fans.

A few reviewers, honoring the balance that is a central tenet of the Jedi Order, pushed back with their own glowing appreciations, however.

Variety called it the "most elegant, emotionally rounded, and gratifying 'Star Wars' adventure" since 1980's "The Empire Strikes Back," while the Daily Telegraph in London said the film "gives our heroes the swashbuckling, heart-rending ending they deserve."

Kelly Marie Tran poses on the red carpet upon arrival for the European film premiere of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. AFP

Too cumbersome

A three-star write-up in British newspaper The Guardian noted that the "vast, hulking Star Destroyer of a franchise has become too cumbersome to pull off any genuinely nimble maneuvers, but at the same time, it never falls out of the sky."

The much-hyped film has been tipped by analysts to take $200-$225 million at domestic box offices this weekend, which would place it among the biggest openings in movie history.

"A massive opening weekend is in the cards irrespective of reviews or audience sentiment," said Comscore senior media analyst Paul Dergarabedian.

Fans dressed as Star Wars characters attend the European film premiere of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. AFP

Positive reviews are a "bonus" but the "true test" will come when the first fans get to see the film and form their own opinions, he said.

"The long term prospects will depend on solid word of mouth propelling the film to greater and greater heights worldwide week after week," he added.

The film opened in several markets Wednesday including France, Germany and China, before arriving in US theatres on general release Friday.

Indiewire declared it "spectacular and uninspired at once," while the New York Times rounded things off, declaring director Abrams "the most consistent B student in modern popular culture."

The film "is one of the best (in the franchise)... Also one of the worst. Perfectly middling. It all amounts to the same thing."

Agence Franc-Presse