Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker (Movie Review) – ‘Let The Past Die’

Review: Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker by J.J. Abrams (6/10)

Prior to the creation of The Rise Of Skywalker, Rian Johnson set out to create his grand vision of subverting expectations. It’s just a shame this vision forgot to include making a good movie. The Last Jedi, by all accounts, is not only a poor Star Wars movie but a terrible movie in its own rite. In an attempt to subvert expectations, Johnson created a generic, stale rehash of established tropes that ended with the villain staying a villain and the hero staying a hero, despite the whole film toying with the two being seduced into changing allegiances. If he wanted to subvert my expectations by creating the most boringly predictable movie I have ever witnessed, congratulations Rian Johnson; you’re a bloody genius.

The saga has finally reached its end... again? — Credit: Disney

So why have I opened with this borderline rant about the film preceding this one? Is it because I hate Rian Johnson? No. I regard his previously directed film Looper as one of my favourite cinematic experiences. No, it’s because J.J. Abrams, for all this film’s faults, has for all accounts created the best movie humanly possible following the abomination before it. Had he been left to fulfill his original vision, I genuinely believe this could have been one of the best Star Wars movies ever created. The Force Awakens wasn’t the most amazing movie, don’t get me wrong, but it put all the pieces in place for two exciting sequels — pieces a certain director decided he wasn’t interested in playing with. So, thank you J.J. Abrams for saving this trilogy from being a total car wreck.

As set up in the last entry, the plot begins with Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) leading the First Order and Rey (Daisy Ridley) training to become a full-fledged Jedi following the death of Luke Skywalker. However, Abrams makes a point to push the characters into the near future, allowing the emergence of the return of the Emperor. With the death of Snoke, you can hardly blame him for doing this, even if it makes Anakin’s sacrifice at the end of Return Of The Jedi a complete waste.

Prepare for some exciting lightsaber battles! — Credit: Disney

With this new threat looming overhead, Rey and fellow companions Finn (John Boyega) and Poe (Oscar Isaac) seek to track down a series of plot-essential McGuffins, supported by recurring favourites Chewbacca, C3P0, R2D2, and BB8. As has been emphasised by many other critics, there is a clear sense of backtracking throughout, essentially trying to fix the events of The Last Jedi whilst attempting to tell a cohesive and engaging story. While I am satisfied with certain important twists and many of the character’s story arcs, it does feel entirely too crammed into an already massive film.

Poe and Finn are at best serviceable to the plot, leading me to be disappointed that this was all we got from the journey of a stormtrooper defector. What is pleasant, however, is the return of this duo working together, thankfully rescued from the clutches of Star Wars' most bland character Rose Tico (Kelly Marie Tran). With absolutely no disrespect to the actress, this was by far the best move, with her scenes relegated to being practically non-existent.

The duo return together as they should have stayed — Credit: Disney

Rey has always been, in my opinion, an engaging enough protagonist to push the franchise forwards. Many have branded her as a Mary Sue, but let’s be honest, she is no worse than Luke before her. It’s always hard to bring fresh blood into such an old and beloved franchise, but Ridley has proven herself able to deliver a compelling performance, hitting all the emotional beats required to grip an audience.

Kylo Ren has similarly brought his A-game this time around, becoming one of my favourite things about this film. That says a lot considering he replaced his Legends equivalent Jacen Solo — one of my favourite Expanded Universe characters — in the new Disney Canon. Without spoilers, just know he is as integral to the plot as Rey and, while he’s never going to be viewed as better than Jacen to me, has earned a place in the grand legacy of the Star Wars mythos.

A surprising improvement to an uninteresting character — Credit: Disney

New characters aside, Abrams has meticulously course corrected the franchise’s climactic film by giving the legacy characters we all know and love a well-deserved send off. If you are unhappy with the treatment of these famous heroes over the past two films, rest assured this third attempt does the best it can to fix these errors. While some mistakes may be irrecoverable, I am pleased with the direction taken here and left feeling satisfied with the conclusion to these character arcs.

As many of you will know, Princess Leia actress Carrie Fisher sadly passed away before the completion of the saga. However, through the reshaping of unused footage, the film provides a touching tribute to an iconic actress by giving her character a respectful farewell. While a little bit rough around the edges, I give credit to the writers who worked tirelessly to integrate her lines as naturally as possible into the script.

A touching send off to a beloved actress — Credit: Disney

So, what do I think of this conclusion to the saga? First off, the saga didn’t need concluding; it was already done. That aside, I am content to report that this trilogy, while suffering a huge blow in the middle, has not completely destroyed Star Wars. Abram’s vision may never have been realised to its full potential, but that’s what happens when you don’t have a plan in place. As long as Disney let this be the final conclusion, the franchise is no worse off for its existence. That sounds like a very backhanded compliment, which it is to an extent, but considering what we could have had under Johnson, it’s a damned miracle.