I want to start off by stating how much I’ve enjoyed discussing these three films with you all. During my childhood I was the biggest Star Wars fan I knew in my very small, conservative town, so it is so nice to have a forum to have these conversations. I deeply connected to Luke’s journey from farm boy to Jedi Knight and all of the main and side characters (shouts to Lobot). Star Wars was alien, weird, and full of wonder. There have been very few works of fiction that have captured my imagination like Star Wars. The introduction of a new trilogy, filled with new characters and locales has been an absolute blast to explore. I look forward to poring over every detail of Rise of the Skywalker with you all as we reflect back on the Skywalker saga and look forward to new movies/comics/video games/books/toys/VR simulations/etc.
I’ve been skeptical, but optimistic about this film from the moment the creative forces were announced. Endings are extremely tough. It is not difficult to find examples of other works of fiction falling short at the end (looking at you Game of Thrones). How do you end a saga that started in the middle, worked backwards, and then forward? How do you end a series of films that stretches across five decades? I do not envy Abrams and company. I went to the first showing in town last night and tried my best to experience it with an open mind.
My initial thoughts are below (forgive spelling errors):
- Spoiler: show
- Liked
-Rey and Kylo. The real highlight of the trilogy. Both actors did a great job, despite some shaky writing and buildup.
-The force dyad between the two. Palpatine’s mention of that synergy being so unique was a really cool nod to the canon, but also a great way of explaining their connection to one another.
-Poe doing Poe things. It seemed like he learned from his failure in TLJ. Oscar Isaac did a really good job here.
-Rey and Kylo bringing that transport down was a cool moment. Reminded me of the Force Unleashed video game.
-Finn meeting other stormtrooper deserters and then taking on the antennas together.
-D-O! It felt like a character specifically designed to appeal to people who have toddlers or like toddlers. Excellent manners.
-Zorii Bliss. Always enjoy seeing how other characters in the galaxy are affected by the Empire/First Order. Her little alien companion was weird and great too. It might have worked better to introduce this character in the Last Jedi however.
-The fleet led by Lando coming to save the day. A logical connection to the TLJ’’s distress call. The number of ships will be dissected by fans for years.
-Wedge! Of course he would be there to help.
-I felt like they did the best they could with Leia in this film, though her scenes/dialogue felt disjointed. Her reaching out to Kylo/Ben felt rushed, but paired well with Kylo’s reluctance to shoot her in TLJ.
-Han showing up again. I wonder if this would have been Leia as a projection if Carrie was still around. It brought the trilogy together.
-The set pieces of the Death Star wreckage and Exogol were unique and well designed.
-Hux being a spy was fun! A real shame he was killed so quickly immediately afterwards (more in the dislike section).
-Exogol was really creepy and dark. That is really going to spook kids.
-The creative folks behind the effects/costumes/sets/prop builders/etc. are the real stars of this trilogy. Blaster shots have a weight to them and everything feels so lived-in.
-The voices of the Jedi, though Rey’s connection to each of them is questionable. I want to know all the voices!
-C-3PO shined.
-Lightskipping. I like seeing talented people show their talents.
-The portrayal of zombie Palps and the Sith followers/cultists. Creepy!
-Ben sacrificing himself to save Rey. He didn’t do for redemption. He did it for her.
Meh
-Rey being a Palpatine. I knew this was highly likely once we learned Palpy was coming back for this. It’s better than her being a Skywalker and explains her insane amount of power, but seems a bit safe? I don’t love it or hate it, I’ll even come to accept it.
-The humor. I enjoyed most of it, but other lines really felt flat. Like, what was the point of Ben jumping on that chain and saying “Ouch”? That was tough. Other lines, like Poe rattling off the backgrounds of Rey, Finn, and himself were good!
-The fleet of Star Destroyers. Makes sense in the canon, but seems safe.
-Lando. Why was he on the desert planet? Just chilling there after Luke left? How connected can he be to bring in so many ships later?
Disliked
-The pace. My goodness. This thing moves way too fast. As my friend said, “It felt like the Lego Movie 3.” It was just too much at first. Moves way faster than any other movie in the trilogy and I think that will really stick out in the future. The pace did not allow scenes to breathe. It robbed too much of the emotional weight of scenes (ex. Leia’s passing) as it hurried to the next scene.
-The fakeouts. Chewie dying? Kylo falling off the cliff? C-3PO losing his memory? Nope, nevermind! Everything is reversed in less than 5 minutes! Commit to making a bold choice. Don’t backtrack it -immediately for a cheap thrill.
-Force healing. Three times in one movie seemed excessive. We get it!
-The kiss. People around me laughed during this part. Not exactly the reaction you want. The actors did a fine job with it, but it seems so lazy and unnecessary. Why does it have to be a romantic connection?
-Certain lines and actions seemed like a direct response to some of the critiques about the Last Jedi. Ghost Luke talking about treating the lightsaber with respect, the mention of the Holdo maneuver, etc. It didn’t seem like a complete middle finger to the Last Jedi, but they were unnecessary and reactionary in a way these movies have never been before. What does this tell future filmmakers who are interested in getting involved in these films? I was just waiting for some character to say, “This is almost as unnecessary as my trip to Canto Bight!”
-Rose having such a small role. Feel bad for the actress.
-Fan service has its place in stories like this, but certain things went way too far. I audibly groaned at Chewie getting a medal. What story purpose does that serve?
-Palpatine’s physical presence significantly cheapened the sacrifice of Darth Vader in RotJ. I’m not sure I will change my mind on this. It seemed lazy to include him.
-The final showdown felt really hoky. Very Ghostbusters esque with the crossing of the lightsabers.
-More Death Star tech? Going to that well for the fourth time?
-The destruction of the planet where Zorii Bliss lived was completely robbed of any significance by the fact she escaped. What was the point of that?
-The Knights of Ren went out like punks. All that mystery and intrigue for that? Same with the red troopers. I guess they need to sell toys.
-Luke’s Force ghost on Ach To felt “off” in a way. I need to rewatch it, but his tone and dialogue seemed very strange.
-Lando’s weird flirting/innuendo with Jannah at the end.
-A lot of beats similar to Return of the Jedi.
-The flashback of Leia training with Luke seemed unneeded and kind of random.
-No explanation of how Palps is still alive. I’m sure this will explored elsewhere but a mention would have been nice.
-The final scene with Rey on Tatooine really felt forced. What is her connection to that place? Leia’s? The symmetry was nice, but was that the only reason?
Overall, I’m not sure where I stand. I plan to see it again soon and I’m sure some of these things above will change over time, but right now I believe it to be an entertaining, but flawed, movie. I’m not disappointed by it in the sense that it ruins the trilogy or future of Star Wars, but more by the fact that it was so safe. And fast. And convoluted. And short on the janky, rough around the edges, and soulfulness that filled the previous films.
I will miss these characters and I’m glad this new trilogy exists. More Star Wars is still Star Wars.
