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Ever since Disney brought Star Wars back into theaters with 2015’s .com/articles/15/NW1500298.php>The Force Awakens, the annual Star Wars release has become a momentous event. In that time, we’ve seen standalone releases and even an origins story—but fans have been eager to see how the new trilogy would play out. And it finally comes to its conclusion in Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker.
The Rise of Skywalker finds Rey (Daisy Ridley) gearing up for battle as Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) fights to maintain control of the First Order. When it becomes clear that Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) has somehow survived and is planning to build a new, more powerful empire called the Final Order, Rey decides to pick up Luke Skywalker’s quest to find the hidden Sith world. And as Rey, Finn (John Boyega), Poe (Oscar Isaac), and the rest of the Resistance prepare for their biggest battle yet, more of Rey’s past is revealed.
As you might expect, this final film in the new Star Wars trilogy is loaded with action and revelations. As Rey, Finn, and Poe race off through space, seeking the one thing that will lead them to the hidden world where Emperor Palpatine is amassing a new army, they hop from one planet to another, coming into contact with new characters on new worlds—and offering a few more glimpses into the characters and their history.
What plays out here is basically boilerplate Star Wars. The good characters are likable (if still a little flat). The bad characters are dark and moody (and also a little flat). There are cool worlds to visit, interesting characters to meet, and plenty of races through space. It’s an entertaining film in a rather brainless way.
Originally, George Lucas planned for nine Star Wars films—which means that this film was supposed to tie everything together. It was supposed to be the grand finale. Of course, the Star Wars franchise will go on, as will the characters. But for the final film in the final Skywalker trilogy, you might expect more drama, more excitement, and more closure. Unfortunately, the Original Three are given a rather anti-climactic send-off—and the New Three still lack the personality and chemistry that Luke, Lea, and Han once brought to the franchise. So while it isn’t a bad movie, it just doesn’t have the panache of the classics that many of us grew up with.
While the franchise has definitely had its ups and downs, the conclusion of the nine Skywalker films simply isn’t as mind-blowing as it should have been. It’s an entertaining outer-space adventure, but it simply isn’t a powerful, memorable wrap-up.
Blu-ray Review:
Since the release of the first Star Wars film in 1977, the franchise has attracted millions of diehard fans—the kind of fans who spend hours studying the characters, the settings, the worlds, and the folklore. And those fans will definitely enjoy the detailed special features included on the Rise of Skywalker Blu-ray release.
Extras explore key parts of the film. Aliens in the Desert discusses filming on location in Jordan. Pasaana Pursuit walks through the development, filming, and effects of the speeder chase. D-O: Key to the Past ties Rey’s past and present together. Warwick & Son offers a charming tribute to franchise regular Warwick Davis—and shows his return to the land of the Ewoks (this time, joined by his son). And Cast of Creatures shows many of the difference creatures used for the film—from their design to the puppeteers and actors who brought them to life to the additional visual effects.
For those who want to go in-depth, however, there’s also The Skywalker Legacy, a feature-length documentary that goes behind the scenes to explore the film, its roots and inspiration, its characters, and so much more. This one definitely takes a time commitment, but it’s a fascinating feature that will allow you to go deeper into the world of Leia, Rey, and their battle against the Final Order.
