Star Wars: The Rise of the Skywalker Review

Star Wars: The Rise of the Skywalker

Dir: J.J. Abrams

Starring: Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Carrie Fisher, Domhnall Gleeson, Richard E. Grant, Kelly Marie Tran, Billy Dee Williams, and Mark Hamill

As that iconic text scrolls down the screen with the piercing musical theme from John Williams playing at high volume, it becomes clear that it’s near impossible to fully grasp the cultural effect “Star Wars” has had on cinema and popular culture. And with the 9^th installment, “The Rise of the Skywalker”, positioned as the finale to the saga started in 1977, it’s impossible that a film will be able to live up to the high expectations of so many years of establishing its mythos into the world. 

“The Force Awakens”, released in 2015 and helmed by director J.J. Abrams (“Super 8” and 2009’s “Star Trek), utilized a near-perfect blending of nostalgia in the development of a new story focused on a young girl named Rey (Daisy Ridley) who, in the process of searching for answers to her unknown past, becomes connected to the Skywalker lore. Bringing in familiar faces from the past and mixing new characters into a story that had strong ties and themes to “A New Hope”, “The Force Awakens” was a fitting reintroduction to all the feelings that made fans love “Star Wars” in the first place. 

“The Last Jedi”, released in 2017 and written/directed Rian Johnson (“Looper” and “Knives Out”), made bold and inspiring steps in separating the new story from the past and setting up a version of “Star Wars” for a new generation to claim as their own. In the process of taking the film in fresh, unexpected directions that refused to follow expectations and unnecessary fan service, “The Last Jedi” was met with divisive results amidst its noble attempts to take the myth of the Jedi in different directions. 

“The Rise of the Skywalker”, directed again by J.J. Abrams, has the unenviable task of wrapping up the “Star Wars” saga. But Abrams has a keen understanding of the love fans have for these films, and while the fascinating potential established by Rian Johnson’s “The Last Jedi” is somewhat suppressed for a return to more familiar movements and easy answers to lingering questions, “The Rise of the Skywalker” has some exceptional “Star Wars” moments amidst a struggling narrative that is hampered by unnecessary fan service. 

The story continues following Rey on her quest to find answers about her past but also leading the Resistance in the battle against a dominating First Order lead by a new supreme leader Kylo Ren (Adam Driver). Echoes from the past begin to haunt both Rey and Kylo Ren, pushing them towards an ultimate confrontation between good and evil, the past and the future. 

Abrams does a great job of keeping the focus on the characters established in the “The Force Awakens”; Rey (Daisy Ridley), Finn (John Boyega), and Poe (Oscar Isaac) rejoin to pursue one final journey in defense from the First Order, who are on the verge of striking one final blow to end the Resistance. These characters, played with such conviction and determination from the talented actors, encompass the emotional core of the film. Their strong friendship and undaunted comradery keep hope alive even as Kylo Ren continues to find the upper hand in battle and with his new ‘Force’ connection/bond to Rey. 

Kylo and Rey are provided with some odd, a few times interesting, story setups this time around. Unfortunately, their newfound connection doesn’t make full use of the opportunity to portray the complex relationship between the power of the Force and the Darkside, the proverbial ‘good versus evil’ that gives every single “Star Wars” film its conflict. Abrams instead uses these characters to compose fight scenes, one of which is a highlight of the entire film, and story bridges attempting to connect the messy plot in a cohesive way. 

The composition of the film, with its jumps from space to different planets, from land to water to air, is strikingly rendered. One scene involving glowing lightsabers and crashing waves is completely stunning. Abrams excels in finding ways to blend the past with the present, introducing new characters that have traits of old familiar characters and sometimes allowing the old characters, like Carrie Fisher’s Leia, moments to lovingly shine bright. 

J.J. Abrams understands what fans want and tries his best to accommodate expectations with a new exploration of familiar “Star Wars” themes. While there are moments when this doesn’t always work nicely, creating conflicting emotional tones, unnecessary and unearned callbacks, and story imbalances that make the 2 hour and 20-minute run time feel every bit as long, “The Rise of the Skywalker” will still render smiles from those who love the franchise. While it may not be the most fitting finale for this beloved space odyssey, it doesn’t feel like “Star Wars” is ending either. As the title suggests, “Star Wars” will continue to rise.

Monte’s Rating

3.25 out of 5.00

Star Wars: The Last Jedi Review

Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Dir: Rian Johnson

Starring: Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Gwendoline Christie, Domhnall Gleason, Laura Dern, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Kelly Marie Tran, and Benicio Del Toro

The battle between good and evil continues in the newest “Star Wars” film. 40 years ago the franchise, which shows no sign of slowing down under Disney’s guidance, created a science fiction opera that pitted a rebellious young boy with astounding hidden skills against an evil empire lead by a masked villain that would become one of cinema’s most iconic characters. “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” continues the latest saga, which restarted two years ago with a scavenger named Rey (Daisy Ridley) and rogue stormtrooper named Finn (John Boyega) leading the charge, with an immersive tale that is an impressive visual spectacle but also a story that has humor and heart.

The story picks up nearly immediately after the events of “The Force Awakens”. The Resistance, embattled and suffering heavy casualties in their fight for freedom, are being chased by the First Order. Leia (Carrie Fisher) clings to the hope of finding her brother Luke (Mark Hamill), who has gone into hiding due to his failure with prodigy Kylo Ren (Adam Driver). Rey is struggling with her new role with the Resistance, but more specifically with motivating Luke to help her hone her new found skills with the Force. Finn is on a journey of his own, this time with help from an ally named Rose (Kelly Marie Tran); the two are tasked with a dangerous mission to help provide safe escape for the Resistance from the First Order’s clutches. 

Writer and director Rian Johnson has the difficult task of following J.J. Abrams’ “The Force Awakens”, which was trip down nostalgia avenue that worked in making fans remember why they fell in love with ”Star Wars” in the first place. Mr. Johnson, who has already amassed a quality resume with films like “Brick” and “Looper”, crafts the “The Last Jedi” with all the subtle and purposeful touches one would expect from a “Star Wars” film. These films are manufactured machines that resist the individuality a filmmaker may want to influence, especially a talent like Rian Johnson. So, surprisingly, it’s interesting when Mr. Johnson’s influence successfully peeks through. It’s felt most noticeable with the humor brought into the film, which works in crafting a nice balance at times with the serious tone that is established early on.

Loss is an emotional focus that lingers throughout a majority of the “Star Wars” universe. Whether the loss of life, the loss of freedom, or the loss of self, these films have a tendency to be somewhat downtrodden at times. That’s what makes the journey against the odds so meaningful many times throughout the franchise run. “The Last Jedi” has this quality too, it utilizes the final events of “The Force Awakens” to create an atmosphere that feels anxious and desperate; this makes an early space fight have so much more tension because it feels like no one is safe. But it also allows new characters opportunity to make strong impacts, in particular Finn who is provided more opportunities to delve into the merits of his character. 

This quality of loss and redemption is most obvious with the return of Luke Skywalker. The journey for Luke is tragic, the character has lived a life defined by loss. Mark Hamill reprises the role and confidently portrays Luke as a heroic figure who understands the sadness that comes with conflict and the price that comes with victory. Carrie Fisher brings a subtle emotional quality to a character that is throughout the film steadfast and tough. Ms. Fisher’s portrayal of Leia has always been a shining light throughout the “Star Wars” series, her untimely death earlier this year adds a somber sentiment to these scenes. Adam Driver, who plays the big bad Kylo Ren, is one of the more interesting characters in this new installment. Mr. Driver does a nice job of making the petulant and emotionally conflicted character have a genuine human quality that makes the performance so much meaningful when Kylo Ren is given more critical choices to make. That's what ultimately makes Kylo Ren so fascinating as a villain, the fact that choice plays the most prominent role in his creation.

At two and half hours in length, the film has moments that feel long and a little over convoluted. While some characters are provided nice spotlights others are trolled along, given small moments to make an appearance when a narrative shift is needed. Also the structure of the story, which jumps around within three stories lead by Rey, Finn, and Poe (Oscar Isaac) as they two-step with Luke, Leia, and Kylo, has a tendency to create some issues concerning the tone from scene to scene. However, when director Rian Johnson takes control, the film moves in really unique ways, embracing elements that are playful and crafting images that are truly powerful.

“Star Wars: The Last Jedi” continues the journey of good versus evil in satisfying ways. Rian Johnson does a good job of further solidifying the new characters into the epic mythology that has come before but also provides a place for the original characters to still influence everything in memorable ways. Where “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” employed a return to the past to craft their introduction, “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” composes a film that is trying to look towards the future, a film that is trying to create its own path. And for the most part, it succeeds.

Monte’s Rating

3.75 out of 5.00