Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
(B or 3/4 stars)
It was 1977 when we 1st heard John Williams' iconic Star Wars score, read along with the scroll of "a galaxy far, far away", and was enthralled by George Lucas' sci-fi fantasy, featuring Luke, Leia, Han Solo, Darth Vader, Chewbacca, Yoda & everybody's favorite droids, C-3PO & R2-D2. While the Star Wars concept has continued in various sequels, prequels & standalone films ... this saga has concluded now with 'Episode IX: Rise of the Skywalker' (directed by J.J. Abrams, who helmed The Force Awakens, while Rian Johnson directed The Last Jedi). 2019 will be remembered for some disappointing series endings. Many people found the final episodes of Game of Thrones unsatisfying. And while I was thoroughly entertained throughout this Star Wars trilogy wrap-up, Episode IX, it poses problems that many a fan may take issue with. By trying to accomplish so much to make everyone happy, it does too much & too little.
Now that Supreme Leader Snoke is dead {from 2017's The Last Jedi}, J.J. Abrams resurrects Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) back into the fray. Palpatine was assumed dead from events that took place in 1983's Return of the Jedi. But hey, he's alive ... somehow ... to wreak havoc again. Back from the dead, this hooded foe orders the ruler of the First Order, patricidal Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), to find & kill Rey (Daisy Ridley), who went from being a desert scavenger to helping the rebel Resistance take on the intergalactic dictatorship. Having been trained by the late Jedi master Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Rey - still honing her craft - is powerful in the 'Force'; something not lost on Kylo Ren, who wants her to join him on the Dark Side to overthrow maniacal Palpatine.
Still working for Gen. Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher, appearing from unused archive footage of prior films), Rey resists urges towards the Dark Side and, instead is hell bent on locating a crystal {which Luke sought, too} that will lead the way to the hidden planet of Exogol, where Palpatine broadcasts his reign of terror propaganda. Leia sends Rey to search the galaxy for allies and, ends up accompanied by impetuous fighter pilot Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac), Stormtrooper-turned-Resistance fighter Finn (John Boyega), Chewbacca, & Leia's old friend, roguish Lando Calrissian (82 yr. old Billy Dee Williams). With Palpatine having created an enormous fleet of laser-blasting Star Destroyers, Rey & co. must do all they can to stop both prophecy-obsessed Kylo Ren & the lunatic emperor.
'TROS' entertained me greatly 'in the moment'. It is technically astounding; with gleaming cinematography, wondrous production values, elaborate action set pieces that had my blood pumping, crisp sound design, John Williams' dynamic musical score, & some of the best visual effects in the business. It is also impressively performed by both the primary & secondary cast {including a host of cameos}. The movie is diverting & pleasing, and yet, J.J. Abrams jams SO much into an already chaotic plot {rare moments to breathe, iffy execution, extraneous characters}; and both the considerable fan service & nostalgic callbacks en route to the final conclusion made the whole thing feel less substantial than we might have hoped.
Where the direction/writing stumbles, the cast does not. Daisy Ridley shines as Rey; able to carry the intense emotions that the character calls for. Adam Driver is spectacular as both Kylo Ren ... and Ben. The expected lightsaber fight btwn. these two on the ruins of the Death Star as a black ocean roils around them is a real wower. And their final scene together is quite the moment. Oscar Isaac, John Boyega & other beloved members of the Resistance nail the light & breezy banter, as well as when matters get gravely serious. We root for them to be successful because, though their chemistry could've been better still, we've grown to love 'em. As for the rest, including newcomers/cameos like: Kerri Russell, Naomi Ackle, Billie Lourd (Carrie Fisher's real-life daughter) and more ... they all serve their purpose.
So while J.J. Abrams brings magnificent craftsmanship to the table - just as he did with The Force Awakens, the Star Treks, et al - I just wish he brought more innovation, too. By not wanting to offend various fan agendas, his overall story arc lacks the imagination that a standalone sci-fi actioner might have. Sure, there's an ending that may satisfy most, but everything felt mapped-out for optimal pleasure rather than creating something wholly unique. I realize it is HARD to overcome the weight of expectations and 'land the plane' for a franchise that has delighted millions for 42 years. But while this cinematic swan song is very entertaining with potent themes of hope, and while its' mythical sci-fi story remains timeless, the epic magic from the original SW films is not quite there for this grand finale.
Now that Supreme Leader Snoke is dead {from 2017's The Last Jedi}, J.J. Abrams resurrects Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) back into the fray. Palpatine was assumed dead from events that took place in 1983's Return of the Jedi. But hey, he's alive ... somehow ... to wreak havoc again. Back from the dead, this hooded foe orders the ruler of the First Order, patricidal Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), to find & kill Rey (Daisy Ridley), who went from being a desert scavenger to helping the rebel Resistance take on the intergalactic dictatorship. Having been trained by the late Jedi master Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Rey - still honing her craft - is powerful in the 'Force'; something not lost on Kylo Ren, who wants her to join him on the Dark Side to overthrow maniacal Palpatine.
Still working for Gen. Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher, appearing from unused archive footage of prior films), Rey resists urges towards the Dark Side and, instead is hell bent on locating a crystal {which Luke sought, too} that will lead the way to the hidden planet of Exogol, where Palpatine broadcasts his reign of terror propaganda. Leia sends Rey to search the galaxy for allies and, ends up accompanied by impetuous fighter pilot Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac), Stormtrooper-turned-Resistance fighter Finn (John Boyega), Chewbacca, & Leia's old friend, roguish Lando Calrissian (82 yr. old Billy Dee Williams). With Palpatine having created an enormous fleet of laser-blasting Star Destroyers, Rey & co. must do all they can to stop both prophecy-obsessed Kylo Ren & the lunatic emperor.
'TROS' entertained me greatly 'in the moment'. It is technically astounding; with gleaming cinematography, wondrous production values, elaborate action set pieces that had my blood pumping, crisp sound design, John Williams' dynamic musical score, & some of the best visual effects in the business. It is also impressively performed by both the primary & secondary cast {including a host of cameos}. The movie is diverting & pleasing, and yet, J.J. Abrams jams SO much into an already chaotic plot {rare moments to breathe, iffy execution, extraneous characters}; and both the considerable fan service & nostalgic callbacks en route to the final conclusion made the whole thing feel less substantial than we might have hoped.
Where the direction/writing stumbles, the cast does not. Daisy Ridley shines as Rey; able to carry the intense emotions that the character calls for. Adam Driver is spectacular as both Kylo Ren ... and Ben. The expected lightsaber fight btwn. these two on the ruins of the Death Star as a black ocean roils around them is a real wower. And their final scene together is quite the moment. Oscar Isaac, John Boyega & other beloved members of the Resistance nail the light & breezy banter, as well as when matters get gravely serious. We root for them to be successful because, though their chemistry could've been better still, we've grown to love 'em. As for the rest, including newcomers/cameos like: Kerri Russell, Naomi Ackle, Billie Lourd (Carrie Fisher's real-life daughter) and more ... they all serve their purpose.
So while J.J. Abrams brings magnificent craftsmanship to the table - just as he did with The Force Awakens, the Star Treks, et al - I just wish he brought more innovation, too. By not wanting to offend various fan agendas, his overall story arc lacks the imagination that a standalone sci-fi actioner might have. Sure, there's an ending that may satisfy most, but everything felt mapped-out for optimal pleasure rather than creating something wholly unique. I realize it is HARD to overcome the weight of expectations and 'land the plane' for a franchise that has delighted millions for 42 years. But while this cinematic swan song is very entertaining with potent themes of hope, and while its' mythical sci-fi story remains timeless, the epic magic from the original SW films is not quite there for this grand finale.