Star Wars is one of those rare films that spawned a legion of followers, fans, universe of characters and has sprawled itself across a multitude of mediums. What originally was envisioned as a failed attempt at Flash Gordon movie eventually evolved into the 1977 film, Star Wars. As the universe started to expand other cinematic journeys were serialized and that little 1977 film that would became known as Episode IV: A New Hope. A new hope it was indeed as the galaxy far, far away kept both expanding itself and yet remaining exclusively true to the Skywalker Saga.
I recently came across a meme with Doctor Manhattan from Watchmen. Doc’s sense of time is unique. In that he can experience the past, present and future at exactly the same time. In the meme, the good doctor is discussing his sense of time and the correlation of Star Wars. It is May 25th, 1983, May 17th, 2005 and December 20th, 2019. All of which revolving around the same principal: getting ready to see the final Star Wars film. Star Wars is a cinematic property that has experienced success past the big screen. Having experienced success in novels, comic books, video games, animation, television. Though, for the ninth (and hopefully final) chapter into the Skywalker Saga, The Rise of Skywalker has some big shoes to fill. I’m sure the pressure riding on this chapter was equal to that of Avengers: Endgame. Taking all of these years of storytelling and leading it to this very moment.
The Rise of Skywalker finds our heroes Rey (Daisy Ridley), Finn (John Boyega) & Poe (Oscar Isaac) on a journey to find the Sith Wayfinder to destroy the first order and impending return of the Sith order. Star Wars, for all the issues that exist within the films, has always carried a remarkable core cast. The original trilogy boasted the star power of Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher. Even the prequels boasted the likes of Ewan McGregor and Samuel L. Jackson. The new age trilogy carries in that tradition with Ridley, Boyega and Isaac. Even when the journeys are separated, this core cast has been astonishing. The narrative makes attempts to separate Ridley from the rest of its cast, on several occasions but Boyega and Isaac prove their strength in standing.
Much like Luke and Anakin before her, Rey’s journey at the core of The Force Awakens and the Last Jedi has been self-discovery. When the narrative allows for Ridley’s Rey to veer from the rest of the cast, it makes for some of the film’s more engaging moments. Ridley is fantastic in this movie to say the least. A good portion of the narrative hinges on the legacy of the generations before us. Finding thematic arcs for both Ridley and Adam Driver’s Kylo Ren/Ben Solo. The reveal of Rey’s legacy is some of the most heartbreaking ground in the film but it packs the emotional punch because of Ridley. Ridley’s conflicting arc of legacy is incredible here. If only the same could be said about other characters. Without dancing into the realm of spoilers, there is another character’s arc in the film that parallel’s Rey’s and just falls flat. The directional change just feels forced and too late.
Though, it’s not the only issue within the force of Rise. There are a few characters set up that ultimately exist without explanation, as if we are just supposed to except that issue. General Pryde (Richard E. Grant) is a perfect example of just that very thing. His rivalry with General Hux (Domhnall Glesson) feels bizarre, unwarranted and pointless in the grand scheme of things. His arc throughout the course of the film is in like with the rest of his arc throughout the trilogy but feels undermined by the presence of Grant. Rise has a multitude of moments that feel out of character, pointless and drag the film down. In some ways, it feels as if director, J.J. Abrams, feels like he has to undone the backlash of its predecessor in The Last Jedi. It can sometimes feel sloppy and childish.
Overall, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, doesn’t always reach the level of epic it strives for but is still a fun film. The core cast in Oscar Isaac, John Boyega and Daisy Ridley boast tremendous chemistry, riveting arcs and some of the film’s funniest moments. Ridley shines throughout the Rise as she continues to understand her roots. The arc provides a number of memorable moments, twists and turns for casual viewers and hardcore fans alike. Her nemesis in Adam Driver’s Kylo Ren is completely underutilized in just about every way. While he does have some compelling fight sequences, his journey outside of the saber feels misguided and directionless. Rise has some serious cracks in its foundations with plot thread leading nowhere, unwarranted characters and uninspiring moments. The narrative and writing aren’t always as strong as they could be. Even with all its flaws, Rise is still a satisfying end to the Skywalker journey.
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