George Lucas’ Star Wars trilogy (1977-1983) profoundly impacted a generation of film enthusiasts, particularly those who experienced its initial release. Despite moments of melodrama, occasionally stilted dialogue, and acting, the trilogy captivated audiences worldwide with its immersive universe and mythological narrative. It possessed an undeniable cinematic allure. As Michelangelo Antonioni famously stated about filmmaking, “If you only have something to say, you can be as clumsy as you want.” This sentiment resonates particularly well with Star Wars. George Lucas excelled as a storyteller, even if his directorial and screenwriting skills were not always as refined.
Nearly two decades later, Lucas undertook the direction and writing of the entire prequel trilogy. The endeavor began with challenges; The Phantom Menace introduced the divisive Jar Jar Binks and extensive parliamentary scenes. While Hayden Christensen’s performance was initially criticized, he ultimately embodied Anakin’s transformation, and the trilogy concluded strongly with Revenge of the Sith, a compelling convergence of prophecy and arguably the second-best film in the series. The prequel trilogy has since garnered appreciation and, while perhaps not entirely essential, retains a place within the Star Wars canon, sharing both qualities and shortcomings with the original trilogy.
Following Disney’s acquisition of Lucasfilm in 2012 for a reported four billion dollars, plans were initiated to capitalize on the investment. What transpired after Return of the Jedi? Talented individuals contributed both on-screen and behind the camera. The sequel trilogy featured skilled actors in leading roles, action-oriented scripts, and J.J. Abrams directing two of the films, along with Rian Johnson (director of Looper and Knives Out) helming the middle installment. J.J. Abrams’ concluding film, The Rise of Skywalker, is arguably the strongest of the trilogy, albeit with reservations.
Since Henric has previously reviewed the film upon its theatrical release, refer to that analysis for plot details and further insights. This review will focus specifically on the Ultra HD 4K edition.
PICTURE
The package contains a UHD 4K Blu-ray disc (the focus of this review) and a standard Full HD Blu-ray version. Similar to the concluding films in the other trilogies, The Rise of Skywalker presents a darker visual aesthetic, both literally and figuratively. The Emperor’s Sith planet Exegol and numerous scenes set in dimly lit environments, night settings, rain, and storms accentuate this. UHD 4K excels in this regard, with HDR providing deep blacks while retaining details and nuances. Encoded in HEVC (x265), the film exhibits vibrancy in daytime scenes, showcasing subtle details in the Storm Troopers’ armor, vivid flames, and compelling natural environments. The improvement over regular Blu-ray is noticeable, with enhanced colors, greater detail, and improved black levels attributed to HDR(10). One wonders about the potential impact of a dynamic format like Dolby Vision or HDR10+, perhaps reserved for a future special edition.
SOUND
Disney’s editions tend to have a conservative mix in terms of overall volume. Adjusting the volume upwards by 25-30% yields a respectable Dolby Atmos track, generating presence through precise bass and accurate sound effect positioning – although more dynamic examples exist. A sharper center channel and clearer dialogue would be preferable, but overall, the soundtrack adequately supports the film, provided the volume is appropriately adjusted.
EXTRA
Disney has thoughtfully placed all supplemental materials on a separate disc, maximizing the space for picture and sound quality on the film discs.
Included is an engaging retrospective (primarily focused on The Rise of Skywalker) spanning all nine episodes of the saga (The Skywalker Legacy), running for just over two hours. Additionally, several shorter featurettes in HD are provided:
Pasaana Pursuit: Creating the Speeder Chase (14 min)
Aliens in the Desert (6 min)
D-O: Key to the Past (6 min)
Warwick & Son (about Warick Davies, who has been in several of the films and played the lead role in Willow for George Lucas, 6 min)
Cast of Creatures (8 min)
A minor drawback is the absence of Swedish subtitles for the extras, which would broaden their accessibility.
Summary
The challenges inherent in the new Star Wars trilogy became apparent early on. Beyond the narrative parallels with the fourth film, Disney’s aggressive exploitation of the universe has yielded mixed results. While Rogue One proved a successful spin-off, Solo and the sequel trilogy have been generally less impressive. While not a disaster comparable to the overextended Hobbit trilogy, which paled in comparison to the Lord of the Rings trilogy, it represents a distinct departure.
The filmmaking exhibits technical proficiency, offering nearly three hours of entertainment. However, the narrative feels disjointed, a product of too many contributors (the seventh, eighth, and ninth films lack cohesion, with the final installment contradicting many choices made in the divisive The Last Jedi). The result is bland, focus-group tested, and corporately driven. Despite, or perhaps because of, unlimited resources, the films have largely diminished the core strength of the Star Wars films: magic. It is frequently absent. The new trilogy presents itself as contemporary science fiction, boasting high production values and providing fleeting popcorn entertainment, easily forgotten. They become shadows, echoes of a groundbreaking film trilogy, largely due to the rehashed elements. While The Rise of Skywalker may be the most accomplished filmically and technically, memorable films transcend technical craftsmanship.
Perhaps this sequel trilogy will gain appreciation over time, resonating with a future generation as the original films did with Generation X. However, this seems unlikely. Despite their flaws, the original films possess heart and a unique narrative voice, qualities largely absent in the sequels, even if they generate significant merchandise sales. A recommendation is given due to the well-executed conclusion and the high-quality UHD edition. It is sincerely hoped that Disney will approach Lucas’ storytelling legacy with greater reverence and refrain from releasing further films and TV series until a compelling narrative imperative exists.
Such an approach would be beneficial for all.
