I give it a resounding four out of five stars myself. A satisfying enough conclusion even if I feel it was pretty cheesy even by cartoon standards.
The giant mech was itself pretty silly to begin with. I can see why the shows creators put it in: To make Kuvira a more intimidating threat against Korra and friends and to up the stakes, but I think that could also have been done much better via means other than ridiculous robots. I just felt it was out of place with the shows setting and that it was stretching things when the existing mechs in the franchise were already a bit iffy.
Also, and this is the one that's already gotten me hell in another topic where I mentioned it, I thought the romance was corny. The Last Airbender did the same thing with ending the series on a romantic note and I didn't like it then any more than I do now, it's just corny and cliche. At least they didn't do the whole 'kiss/camera upwards pan' shot, though they might as well have given the reaction that last shot has had. I also don't like how the whole romance angle has seemingly completely overshadowed the show itself, it's all anyone is talking about now. I'm sure given time it'll fade, but for now it's already getting annoying.
Again I thought it was silly and unnecessary but whatever, I've already gotten hell for disliking the romantic angle so I'm at least happy it's made other people happy.
...Also Prince Wu was stupid. I don't like him now any more than I did before and I didn't find him either particularly sympathetic during his scenes nor at all funny. Having both Tenzin and General Iroh both being useless for the millionth time was frustrating as well. Has Iroh and his army done a single thing other than get blown up this entire series? I can't think of even one example otherwise. At least Tenzin got a few moments of badassery throughout the series I guess, but in the finale he's barely present except to talk a bit at the end before getting overshadowed.
What I did like were some of the other touches throughout the finale. I like that unlike what everyone was expecting to happen, the spirits didn't come rushing to Korra's aid. I thought the visuals were fantastic, and despite not liking the mech itself I've got to admit seeing that canon blow apart Republic City was thrilling. Jokes (Aside from Wu's) were spot on and the music was fantastic, as was the voice acting.
Also no last second Deus Ex Machina like The Last Airbender's finale. No conveniently getting struck in just the right spot to be able to defeat the villain, no last second turtles to offer a helpful way out of a tough spot. The mech was silly but the way in which is was defeated was believable and epic enough to have left me happy.
My absolutely favourite thing though is how Korra ultimately defeated Kuvira, who herself I thought was a great villain. I think it speaks volumes about the characters growth that it wasn't through fighting that she brought Kuvira down, but by talking with her, something the 'old' Korra would never have done. Maybe the whole 'sympathetic villain chat' is another trope in itself, but at least here I thought it was well used to highlight Korra and everything she's been through throughout the series.
Overall enjoyable. It lacked the emotional gut-punch of 'The Last Agni Kai' and was a bit corny in places, but otherwise it was well put together and a good ending to a franchise I've really learned to love since I started watching it earlier this year.
I'm sad it's over.
