Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
Starring: Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac
Directed By: JJ Abrams
Rated: PG-13
It has all led up to this. The final movie of the Star Wars saga. Ok, that’s obviously not true because there will always be more Star Wars movies until the end of time. In all seriousness, it’s the last Star Wars movie of the sequels trilogy, and I want to take a moment to say I unashamedly love this trilogy. The last four years have been a rollercoaster of emotions with twists, turns, and excitement. This trilogy put a female Jedi in the forefront without hesitation. It showed girls everywhere that we can be the heroes too. We got a great group of central characters with Rey, Poe, Finn, Kylo Ren, and of course, BB-8. Throughout this trilogy, we’ve seen amazing world-building, genuinely intriguing conflict, and character depth. Despite an onslaught of negativity, I’m glad to be a Star Wars fan and have had a great time watching these movies. Now, it’s time to review The Rise of Skywalker.
I’ll do my best to give a quick summary without any spoilers. It’s challenging to do as these movies keep almost everything under wraps, but everything I’m typing happens in the first 10 minutes of the film. The Rise Of Skywalker picks up after the events of The Last Jedi as the First Order continues to tear apart the galaxy and weaken the Resistance. Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) hears a call from the villainous Palpatine (talk about a blast from the past!), who instructs him to kill Rey (Daisy Ridley). Rey continues her Jedi training under the instruction of General Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher) while Poe (Oscar Isaac) and Finn (John Boyega) fight against the First Order for the Resistance. Can the First Order be stopped? Will Rey finally learn her lineage? Will Kylo kill her under Palpatine’s instruction? Why is Palpatine still around? All will be revealed in The Rise Of Skywalker.
After Rian Johnson directed The Last Jedi in 2017, JJ Abrams returned to direct The Rise Of Skywalker. The film is a massive undertaking because it’s the final chapter of an enormous trilogy. Not to mention, The Last Jedi was not well-received by the die-hard Star Wars fans. I will never understand why that film got negative backlash from fans. It’s such an exciting chapter in the trilogy that introduced the complexity of the Kylo Ren/Rey dynamic. That throne room scene is legendary! I’ve found that the Star Wars fan base can be deeply obnoxious when a new film releases if every single element doesn’t go their way. (I say this as a Star Wars fan.) I’m not sure if there’s any way Abrams could please the fan base with The Rise Of Skywalker, but he certainly gives it his best shot. The Rise of Skywalker is epic in scope and exciting at every turn. Every moment is a new adventure for the central characters.
There are a ton of adventures in this movie. Every few minutes something new is happening. It’s a lot of fun, but at times I felt like I needed a minute to take in everything that was happening. Rey, Poe, and Finn travel through the Galaxy in what feels like a Scavenger hunt to find a hidden planet. (This gives the film an Indiana Jones-feel. Based on how much JJ Abrams looks up to Steven Spielberg, that’s no surprise.) As they go off on their quest, they find new danger around every corner. This leads to so many characters and moving parts in the 2-hour and 20-minute runtime. Obviously, this is an epic finale to a major trilogy, but I do think some scenes could be edited out while others could be expanded upon more. For instance, the final action sequence could easily be trimmed by 10 minutes, while Finn’s storyline could have been explored more. He tries to tell Rey something major that is hinted but never said. What were you trying to say, Finn?
Maybe he was trying to say that Palpatine is an odd choice of villain for the film. He was prominent in the original trilogy but assumed to be dead. Some casual moviegoers may not even remember him when they go see this. After seeing the whole movie, I get the decision to have him as the villain but there's no doubt that it’s going to divide audiences. His appearance leads to the film’s issue with finality. People die then come back like it’s no big deal. Things need to feel final for the audience to take things seriously.
One thing I take seriously is that this trilogy has belonged to Rey from the beginning, and Daisy Ridley continues to own it in The Rise Of Skywalker. The scavenger from Jakku was initially introduced in The Force Awakens as an orphan with no idea of her parentage. She soon worked with the force and proved to be one of the most powerful Jedi in the Galaxy. We FINALLY learn her family lineage after four years of waiting! Rey is torn throughout the film by finding the right balance in the force, even struggling with temptation towards the dark side. Don’t do it, Rey! Ridley’s performance has been top-notch since The Force Awakens, and the character growth through each film has been fascinating. I’m glad this character exists as such a strong female presence for girls to see.
The other character anchoring this trilogy is Kylo Ren played by Adam Driver. He was introduced in The Force Awakens as Ben Solo, the unhinged son of Han Solo and Princess Leia. The Last Jedi provided a more layered characterization as we saw more of a background to his past. One of the most intriguing parts of this trilogy to me has been the plot of Rey and Kylo’s connection. The force binds the two, Rey follows the light while Kylo clings to the dark side. They communicate with each other, hoping to bring the other to their respective sides. The push and pull of the dynamic is genuinely compelling to watch. Adam Driver and Daisy Ridley have fantastic chemistry that conveys anger, intrigue, and compassion towards one another. I love the way the film portrays their unique connection. No spoilers, but their storyline is my favorite part of this movie.
Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) is a standout, getting more screen time than usual as the Resistance pilot working closely with Finn and Rey. Isaac is charming and funny, but ready to command a fleet whenever necessary. Finn also has an interesting arc this time around, still looking out for Rey and helping Poe command the Millenium Falcon. His character undergoes a surprising arc, but this is a spoiler-free zone! John Boyega continues to portray Finn wonderfully. The dynamic of Finn, Rey, and Poe is a joy to watch.
Carrie Fisher (may she Rest In Peace) appears in the film from footage that was previously shot for The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi. It’s nice to see her playing the iconic Leia even after she’s gone.
The effects in The Rise of Skywalker are fantastic. The action is non-stop, so it’s a relief that the effects are impressive. Several moments are stunning to watch. Whether it’s a high action sequence capturing the characters racing through the desert or a light-saber battle surrounded by thunderous waves, the visuals are truly memorable. Each sequence matches beautifully with John Williams's score. (He continues to make the perfect music to match the films.) Be forewarned; the final act has a lot of strobing involved. To anyone who is photosensitive, there are lots of flashing lights throughout the third act.
This movie has its share of flaws, but it sure is immensely entertaining and emotional. The Rise of Skywalker marks the end of an era that brought me twists, turns, and epic moments. This is one that I’ll be returning to the theater to see again very soon. It is an exciting end to a compelling trilogy.
My Rating: 8/10