Synopsis:
The surviving Resistance faces the First Order once more in the final chapter of the Skywalker saga.
Well, it’s the end. The end of the saga, and the end of an era. For more than forty years we have been gifted pieces of an epic that we have been able to pass down to our younger siblings and children along the way and now it’s time for our final applause. However, it’s not a time to be sad, it’s time for the fandom to come together and celebrate what we love. Endings are never easy to do and are oftentimes just bad; Game of Thrones’ final season knows all about it. Luckily, it’s not the case for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker because dammit, it’s fantastic. I was literally on the edge of my seat the entire time, leaning on the seat in front of me. From top to bottom the movie looks and sounds fantastic. The score is exhilarating and at times haunting. The cinematography was great as usual. The use of good CGI is appreciated. Also, new characters are introduced, old characters make an appearance, and gigantic lingering questions are answered. The issues I had with it are minor and have to do with the pacing which affects emotions. I know many of you have seen leaks online but nothing you saw or read can replace the experience you will have. The sound of lightsabers clashing, TIE fighters zooming by, and a 7.5′ Wookiee talking must be appreciated in theaters. Fan service or not, I had so much fun watching this movie and so did the others around me. If you truly dislike this movie, maybe the Force is just weak in you. For those that love the saga, enjoy the ride. Rey has unfinished business, The Resistance isn’t going down without a fight, Finn has something he needs to say, Kylo Ren knows the truth, Poe takes charge, and C3PO is annoying. So grab your cloaks, lightsabers, droids, awaken your Force and enjoy the final chapter, I can assure you I did. May the Force be with you.
Plot & Pace
Immediately we catch up with Poe and Finn as they are attempting to get information regarding the First Oder and their plans. Something big and life-altering is about to take place and they must avoid death and get back to the Resistance so they can prepare for what’s to come. Rey is training in order to become a better and stronger Jedi. With Luke gone, she is under the tutelage of General Leia. Still having her strong connection with Kylo Ren, Rey is questioning her future as she has had unpleasant visions she wants to avoid. The First Order has plans to destroy all who do not comply and after their plans were previously foiled, they now have new means to take control of the galaxy. Sacrifices must be made in order to win, but who is willing to risk it all. As I mentioned earlier, the pacing of the movie was a tad flawed. It moved very fast and while being full of action, the speed it took didn’t allow for the characters or us to process anything fully. The story went from place to place at lightspeed. I understand it might have been done to convey urgency but in the end, I was found wanting. The problem is that it didn’t allow for much emotional complexity that would add to the drama. It would’ve made for a longer movie but with this being the final chapter, I think we all would’ve been okay with it. Nevertheless, we ended up with an amazing ending that I want to see again.
Characters & Chemistry
This is the year of Adam Driver. He was amazing yet again as Kylo Ren. You can see the anger, pain, and conflict in his face and hear it in his voice. He is able to embody the dark side and light side within the same character. The same goes for Daisy Ridley as Rey. There has always been a fire raging inside of her. Whether it’s from not knowing her past or because of it, or the mental gymnastics she’s been put through; the pair seem to be opposite sides of the same coin. Just like Driver, Ridley does a fantastic job conveying the internal struggle and a Jedi-like tenacity. Finn and Poe make a great on-screen duo. They have an unspoken love and respect for each other that can only be matched by their competitiveness. Both willing to lay their lives down and make tough calls make them great leaders and John Boyega and Oscar Isaac really showed us that. The chemistry between them all was amazing; it felt like watch a family protect the galaxy.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker releases today, December 20th. Enjoy the movie. RIP Carrie Fisher, may the Force forever be with you.
Director: J.J. Abrams
Rated: PG-13
Runtime: 2h 21m
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Senior Critic. Observing the human race since 1988.
