While I had hoped for a more definitive conclusion to the Star Wars saga, Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker, while enjoyable, ultimately feels somewhat bittersweet. I will elaborate on this assessment while avoiding spoilers.
Upon initially viewing Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi two years ago, I found it to be a compelling film. However, its narrative choices create a disjointed feel within the overall trilogy. I had naively assumed a cohesive plan existed for all three films before production commenced. This was evidently not the case; J.J. Abrams, as director and writer of Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens, established numerous plot threads intended to be developed by subsequent filmmakers.
The challenge arose when Rian Johnson, taking the directorial reins for the eighth film, chose to largely abandon these established threads in The Last Jedi. Consequently, Colin Trevorrow (Jurassic World) found his planned direction for Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker rendered unworkable, as key characters intended for pivotal roles in his script were eliminated in Johnson’s film. This led to his departure, with Force Awakens director J.J. Abrams returning to the unenviable task of forging a coherent narrative following the events of The Last Jedi.
This situation underscores the primary issue with The Rise of Skywalker. Abrams, in his attempt to conclude the story he initiated in The Force Awakens, is compelled to incorporate a significant amount of exposition to compensate for the narrative divergences introduced in The Last Jedi. This results in a relentlessly rapid pace, leaving the audience little opportunity for reflection. Just as one begins to question a plot point, a new character or previously unseen planet is introduced, propelling the narrative forward.
While I cannot delve into specific plot details at this time, it’s important to emphasize that this film serves as a compelling sequel to The Force Awakens, while simultaneously representing a significant departure from the direction of The Last Jedi. There are clear allusions to its predecessor, and certain characters who held prominent roles in the eighth film experience a diminished presence, akin to a Jar Jar-esque disappearance.
Carrie Fisher, whose untimely passing in 2016 prevented her from filming new scenes for The Rise of Skywalker, is rightfully credited first in the film’s end titles. The filmmakers have commendably integrated her into the film through the use of existing footage from previous installments, avoiding reliance on CGI or body doubles. This approach proves remarkably effective.
To summarize, while I may seem critical of The Rise of Skywalker, my overall impression is positive. Many aspects of the film are genuinely well-executed, and had J.J. Abrams been at the helm for all three films, the final installment might have felt less rushed and disjointed. This would have allowed the positive elements to resonate more fully and achieve the necessary narrative development. While The Last Jedi remains a competent film in isolation, its divergence from the established narrative arc detracts from the trilogy’s cohesiveness. Therefore, while I cannot unequivocally label it a “must-see,” I wholeheartedly recommend experiencing this, hopefully, final chapter. It remains a grand spectacle encompassing many desirable elements, albeit presented in a somewhat compressed format, potentially leaving some lingering questions. Will the story continue with this ensemble, perhaps as a series on Disney+? Only time will tell. Nevertheless, I encourage viewers to experience The Rise of Skywalker on the big screen and form their own conclusions.
