By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
42 years ago, George Lucas introduced the world to the Star Wars universe. Fans fell in love with the franchise that Jedi Knights, droids, Sith Lords, stormtroopers, and Wookies inhabited. Also, Star Wars not only elevated the cinema world, but it also enhanced countless storytelling tropes.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is the final chapter in the franchise’s central universe. This film not only showcases the epic final battle between the Resistance and the First Order, but also showcases the fates of the Skywalker family and the sequel’s trilogy’s new trio: Rey (Daisy Ridley), Finn (John Boyega), and Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac).
Warning! Minor Spoilers are ahead!
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker focuses on Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid)’s return! The original Darth Sidious has announced his presence to the galaxy. He tempts Kylo Ren/Ben Solo (Adam Driver), the First Order’s Supreme Leader, to hunt down Rey. If he is successful, Kylo Ren will inherit the Emperor’s deadliest fleet: The Final Order.
Meanwhile, Rey is forced to end her Jedi training with General Leia Organa (the late Carrie Fisher) to lead a crew of the Resistance’s finest to search for essential items. These items are needed to hunt down the resurrected Emperor. Along the way, the group encounters familiar faces from their past, including Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams) and Zorii Bliss (Keri Russell).
End of spoilers!
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’s strengths are the impeccable performances by its ensemble. Both Ridley and Driver deliver some of their best performances of the careers as they engage in the final battle of good and evil. Ian McDiarmid proved why Palpatine is Star Wars’ ultimate bad guy every time the Sith Lord was on the screen. Also, Billy Dee Williams’ presence was very welcomed.
A majority of Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker rested on the screenwriters: J.J. Abrams and Chris Terrio. They brilliantly weaved various plots such as Palpatine’s return, Leia’s farewell, and Rey’s true lineage in the film. Also, the duo created tons of Easter Eggs that included surprise appearances and cameos from a plethora of Star Wars actors. Also, pop culture aficionados should keep an eye out for both Kevin Smith and Lin-Manuel Miranda as they filmed cameos for the film.
However, there were two missteps in Rise of Skywalker that need to be addressed. First, I was unhappy with the way the duo underutilized established characters such as Lando Calrissian, Maz Kanata (voiced by Lupita Nyong’o), and Rose Tico (Kelly Marie Tran). I rather have seen them in more scenes than unnecessary characters such as D-O (voiced by J.J. Abrams) more screen time. Secondly, there were several plot points that were pointless such as identifying Rey’s parents and the time that the group spent in a desert cave.
Final thoughts & grade: Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker truly wraps up the Skywalker Saga in a brilliant fashion that pays homage to the franchise’s legacy. This author hopes that fans will get to see Rey, Finn, Daisy, and the company in future installments as they are worthy to carry the franchise in future projects. May the Force Be With You as we enter the next decade. B+
