The Rise of Skywalker
The Star Wars train has left the station, if you’re not on board you will be forcibly bound, gagged, and dragged behind. At least, that’s the feeling that The Rise of Skywalker gives you; once the movies starts there’s no stopping the avalanche of crazed filmmaking and ADHD inspired storytelling. This movie is shocking on a multitude of levels, people who like the art of movies will be shell shocked at the insane amount of story they managed to fit in the meager 2 hours and 22 minutes. For those who don’t care as much about the technical aspect and just want to see some kickass action, this movie will deliver.
The Rise of Skywalker is the 9th installment in the “Skywalker Saga,” and continues the story of Ray, Finn, and Poe as they attempt to bring down the First Order; all the while, the villainous Kylo Ren desperately searches for the resurrected Emperor Palpatine. All the characters from the new trilogy get their minute to shine and even old friends from the original trilogy are back. There’s even time for Princess Leia (RIP Carrie Fisher) to get a proper farewell. Audience members who are looking for references to the massive Star Wars canon will find this movie delivers and then some. That’s also the movie’s biggest problem.
The Rise of Skywalker is undeniably messy. Concrete consequences, how the force works, proper character introductions, and explanations are all iffy at best. The movie arrives at a location and the audience barely has time to figure out what’s going on before we’re off to somewhere else. New characters are introduced left and right and it expects us to get attached after a meager amount of screen time. It feels like there must have been a three-hour cut, where everything is actually explained and characters have a chance to have meaningful conversations. The final cut certainly could’ve used more time to explain new concepts and expand on the new characters. Ultimately, the movie tries to give you everything and in the process of making room for more stuff, it doesn’t really do justice to any one individual aspect.
The Rise of Skywalker appears to be at war with its divisive predecessor The Last Jedi (2017), it also seems like it’s at war with itself. When the movie takes a step into uncharted territory, a few minutes later it retcons itself to make sure it’s safe for all audiences. The irony is that making a movie that caters solely to the expectations and needs of the zealous fanbase creates a hollow experience. Sure, it’s nice to be in this world again and you might enjoy it as you’re watching it, but the end will leave you hollow. The movie includes so much that doesn’t matter and sidelines the characters and elements that do. Which is sad, because there are some really fun ideas that the movie outlines but never goes deeper than the surface level. Another unfortunate case of wasted potential. There is no restraint, no clever storytelling, no meaningful developments, or genuine character arcs, only superficial action to keep you entertained.
And it does entertain. It’s a movie that, despite its multitude of flaws, has a lot of dumb enjoyable fun to offer. Emphasis on the dumb. But it looks great, sounds great, and because there’s too much going on you’ll never get bored. Put your brain on low power mode, get in the mood for over the top Star Wars melodrama and enjoy. But keep in mind, it may seem delicious, but certainly not nutritious.