42 years ago, George Lucas created perhaps the most celebrated franchise in movie history with Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope. As we all know, it spawned the trilogy, created the prequels, and now over the last four years, it was brought back for a new generation of audiences. The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi took the story and characters to the next level and now with The Rise of Skywalker, J.J. Abrams and his cast and crew bring the Force full circle.
Does that mean it concludes the saga in spectacular fashion? Yes and no. Although many will say it does the latter.
We pick up the events one year after the events of The Last Jedi with Adam Driver’s Kylo Ren coming face to face with an old enemy in the form of Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid). No spoiler alert seeing as his sinister laugh was featured in the trailer. He wants Kylo to track down Rey (Daisy Ridley) and destroy her.
Meanwhile, Rey is still continuing her Jedi training until she reunites with Finn (John Boyega) and Poe (Oscar Isaac) and the trifecta receive coordinates from the now-departed Luke (Mark Hamill) to find a Sith artifact. This artifact could be the source to bring down the First Order and bring victory to the Resistance.
I know this is a common phrase I generally use, but it applies again here; much of The Rise of Skywalker serves more like a greatest hits compilation than any new real material. A lot of its structure and framework is reminiscent of Lucas’ original trilogy especially with the return of Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams). Williams doesn’t have very many scenes, but his presence does contain the same nostalgic charm fans will come to know and love. Also, Carrie Fisher’s final performance as General Leia does carry real presence particularly in a crucial moment involving Rey having to face Kylo.
There are some impressive special effects sequences filled with terrific eye candy. Once again, Rey and Kylo have another Lightsaber duel. This time around they’re surrounded by a massive thunderstorm instead of snow, but it’s very much derivative of their previous encounter. Again, I hate to regurgitate, but that’s how I felt about much of The Rise of Skywalker.
There are a few nifty surprises and a cameo or two that are very much welcoming, but in terms of this new trilogy, it’s the least impressive. It doesn’t have enough newness to separate itself from the first two and the movie tries to balance elements from Lucas’ trilogy while finding its own footing but to a surprisingly diminishing effect.
The Rise of Skywalker is a sensational spectacle in the way fans do want, but in terms of emotional resonance, I was much more engrossed with other blockbusters this year like Avengers: Endgame, Toy Story 4, or even Joker.
Nevertheless, Abrams does pack a wallop in terms of spectacle and the movie is consistently on its toes for 141 minutes despite so much exposition and not enough impact.
The Force is still strong with this one, but it could’ve been stronger.
Grade: B
(Rated PG-13 for sci-fi violence and action.)
