Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker

I didn’t like The Last Jedi. Not because of the narrative or any risks taken by the director, but the fact that the film treated its villains with such a lack of respect that the supposedly diabolical First Order looked like it was run at a bunch of buffoons, especially General Hux. When the evil force is one big joke, how are we supposed to take the threat they pose seriously? There were, of course other flaws but the main problem was the lack of threat posed by The First Order. 

Whatever your personal reaction to The Last Jedi you can’t deny it was devisive. Some people loved it and some hated and those who hated are incredible vocally about them hating it. Therefore it feels somewhat strangely pandering that The Rise of Skywalker explicitly undoes aspects of the previous film, namely the sidelining of Rose (though I doubt there is anything in this) and dialogue where Luke says one must respect a Jedi’s weapon (having thrown one into the sea in the last film).

For me, it was never about the risk taking as the lack of risks taken is a major issue of Abrams' The Rise of Skywalker. It feels too safe, there could have many directions it could have taken which may have had a more profoundly moving effect (there’s also a lack of emotional pay-off if you feel that a character could easily be bought back to life). It feels as though the film has been made to appeal to the biggest possible audience, but at the same time it’s lack of bold risking taking and obvious firefighting leaves the film feeling rather anti-climatic and a disappointing conclusion to a disjointed and inconsistent trilogy.

The Rise of Skywalker does have it moments. Ian McDiarmid makes a welcome return as Darth Sidious/Palpatine and Richard E Grant channels the Peter Cushing role rather well (in fact I rather we had him play a constant role instead of sending General Hux down a terrible character trajectory). The film’s breathless and frantic pace leads little time for boredom, but its frantic pace also leaves little time for build up and character development as new characters names are forgotten as soon as the movie is finished (for example whoever Keri Russell played). As a film it feels as though its trying to rectify past errors and appease the fanbase as a result it is too busy pleasing people that it has lost its magic that was evident in the franchise’s first film. 

In terms of where the film ranks among the Star Wars franchise, it’s right near the bottom. I actually have more affinity with the original prequel franchise than I do with the latest trilogy. The stars Daisy Ridley, John Boyega and Oscar Isaac all do a fine job but, perhaps its my age, I will never have the same affinity with them as the other characters from the other trilogies.