Rise Of Skywalker review: A satisfying, emotional end
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Rise Of Skywalker review: A satisfying, emotional end
It's not the perfect Star Wars pic, merely we can't imagine the saga ending any other way – director JJ Abrams surprisingly managed to blast it.
Adam Driver'south Kylo Ren and Daisy Ridley'south Rey duel it out with their lightsabers. (Photo: Lucasfilm)
This is a spoiler-free review
In a galaxy far, far abroad, there was a director tasked with the seemingly incommunicable job of wrapping up 42 years and a nine-movie saga with The Rise Of Skywalker (TROS).
And by George (Lucas!), JJ Abrams somehow – despite controversy, the vestiges of The Terminal Jedi and die-hard fan backlash – managed to pull off an ending that was satisfying, emotional and, dare we say it, worthy of the Strength.
Let's exist honest. Information technology's piece of cake to hate on anything Star Wars that is post original trilogy. We are painfully protective of the three iconic films that shaped our childhoods, triggered our imaginations, and gave us Jedis, Princesses, rogues, Wookies, droids and lightsabers that, to this day, we all still hold so sacred and dear.
It's the saga that belongs to so many people, across then many generations – all of which accept been incredibly invested in this whole franchise. But we need to give Abrams – himself a dyed-in-the-wool fanboy – a fighting chance and put our trust in him to steer the Millennium Falcon dwelling.
And stick the landing Abrams did, as he managed to remainder scale and scope, center and spirit, and force and fortitude in a film that undoubtedly carries much expectation and legacy.
Information technology'due south undoubtedly and unabashedly a fan service film, but did you look it any other mode? We all know it was always going to be a "damned-if- you-practise, damned-if-y'all-don't" journey to the finish.
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With the prequels (executed by Lucas himself) not going down too every bit ane would have liked, Abrams' The Force Awakens (TFA) back in 2022 was the, erm, new hope in getting a skilful Star Wars trilogy over again. And then Abrams, picking upwards the pieces from fired Colin Trevorrow, later the much-derided The Last Jedi by Rian Johnson, in itself, already feels like a course correction.
READ: JJ Abrams on the ending of Ascension Of Skywalker: 'No matter what you exercise, some people will hate it'
TROS is non quite the "apology for The Concluding Jedi" similar some critics are saying. But it's painfully obvious Abrams actually had the unenviable job of tying upward a multitude of storylines and making the exposition piece of work. Which might explicate the convoluted first half of the film, where it felt similar all he did was front-load merely so he could hurtle his way – at lightspeed – to the end anybody was waiting for.
Given that there's admittedly no conceivable way of pleasing every single person all of the time when it comes to Star Wars, it's remarkable that TROS manages to be the best possible send-off the Skywalker Saga deserves. Certain, information technology might be, by and large, the send-off most of us expected or guessed, but that is still heaps better than i that divides and disappoints.
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Questions like: Who is Rey (Daisy Ridley) actually? Will her parents/lineage exist revealed? Is Kylo Ren (Adam Commuter) fifty-fifty redeemable? Will I drown in a puddle of my own tears upon seeing Carrie Fisher (courtesy of unused TFA footage) up on the large screen?
TROS answers all these burning questions. And more.
The activity set up-pieces – from the requisite desert chase to the obligatory rescue mission and X-Wing fracas – are executed with typically glossy Abrams-style, and will satiate some fans and infuriate others. But there are also enough surprises to savour and all-important cameos to pull every nostalgic heartstring that continue the momentum going.
Sure, ane might argue that it'southward an overstuffed finale with very piddling time to get into any new character depth or new location familiarity. But I'll take non-stop activity, adventure and answers delivered with humour and center over none at all.
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Indeed, TROS is not without some gaping flaws. It'southward nowhere almost existence the best film in the saga, but it has everything a fan needs to have to the cease line.
It has great acting performances by Ridley, Commuter and Oscar Isaac (equally Poe Dameron) and super cute new additions in the shape of Babu Frik. It also has, the all-important perfectly placed cameos (some heartwrenchingly proficient, others hammy simply worthwhile), that fans, whether they would readily admit it or non, volition capeesh and bask equally one last hurrah.
Yes, TROS is missing the treasured scrappiness of Episode 4 to 6, but, hey, nosotros're all living in different, slicker times. This is JJ Abrams, which means you're getting a mass appeal, action-packed, lens flare-filled popcorn ride, with all the necessary cornball nods for those who worship at the altar of George.
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This fan spent most of the 2nd half of TROS in tears, thanks to seeing our dearest Princess Leia seamlessly iconised on screen for the concluding time, watching Billy Dee Williams nailing his return as Lando or hearing John Williams' iconic score heighten a scene. And you will, also.
As everyone'south favourite human relations droid C-3PO and so aptly put it in the trailers, watching TROS was truly "taking i terminal look, sir, at my friends."
Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker opens in cinemas on Dec 19.
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