As
a lifelong fan of the Star Wars series, I entered into the final chapter in the
Skywalker Saga with a bit of cautious optimism.
Although I’ve come around to embrace J.J. Abrams’ The Force Awakens, it
is indeed a very “safe”, audience friendly picture that lacks the heart of the
original trilogy. I found Rian Johnson’s
The Last Jedi to be more my speed as it found ways to push the series in new,
unexpected directions while still being very much tethered to the past. Now that J.J. was in the director’s chair
once again for The Rise of Skywalker, the question remained: Would he embrace Johnson’s vision or go back
to business as usual?
I’m
happy to say that it’s a bit of both.
While Rise is full of J.J.’s sensibilities (there are MacGuffins
galore), he keeps much of what Johnson introduced and even at times expands
upon it. I’ve seen reviews indicating
the film as a total rebuke of The Last Jedi, but I think many of the characters’ arcs and developments are consistent with what
came before.
Abrams
has the unenviable task of not only wrapping up one trilogy, but three. Somehow, he was able to pull it off. He weaves in moments that connect all nine
films (and even some of the TV shows and cartoons) together. What could’ve been seen as merely fan service
works because of the strength of the performances and the goodwill the
characters have generated over the past four years (or for some, forty).
I’ve
been deliberately vague about the plot.
Just know that The Rise of Skywalker is Star Wars to the core. I got the same buzz from it I had as a
five-year-old kid walking out of Return of the Jedi. The themes of good vs. evil, emotion vs.
serenity, and freedom vs. oppression are just as strong as they’ve always
been. I’m also glad to say that J.J.
didn’t shy away from the darkness inherent in these movies. There are strong moments here that rival
Revenge of the Sith for the darkest bits of Star Wars lore. I applaud J.J. for not holding back, Disney
shareholders be damned.
Abrams
keeps things moving at a breakneck pace.
Sometimes, things move a bit too fast.
While I do wish we had time to stop and smell the roses a bit, I can’t
fault J.J. for trying to cram in as much as possible for this final (maybe… we’ll
see) installment. It’s evident Abrams
wants to stick the landing as best he can.
However, he still has some important things he wants to say before
parting ways with the franchise. It
speaks volumes that he’s able to introduce new characters in a final
installment and they wind up stealing scenes from the other more-established
cast members.
Speaking
of which, everyone brings their A-game here.
Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, and Oscar Isaac all shine once again as Rey,
Finn, and Poe respectively. Adam Driver
fills Kylo Ren with all the villainous swagger we’re accustomed to, but this
time he shades his character with a driven relentlessness that makes him even
more formidable. We also get some
wonderful bits from our old friends (C-3PO in particular steals the show) who
conclude their cinematic journey with a bang.
I
think what I liked the most about The Rise of Skywalker was how it honored not
only the work of George Lucas, but also the inspirations that helped shaped the
Star Wars universe. Of all the cinematic
Star Wars adventures, this one feels the most influenced by the old serials of
any of the films since the original.
There’s even a big “death” scene that is neatly reversed thanks to some
cliffhanger-style misdirection and editing.
Rise
is simply a blast from start to finish.
It’s the most fun I’ve had all year at the movies and is easily the best
film in the saga since the original trilogy.
Sure, fanboys are ripping it a new one on the internet, but I say to
them, “Let go of your hatred.” Besides
if I’ve learned anything since The Phantom Menace came out it’s that if the
internet hates a Star Wars movie, it means the filmmakers did something right.
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