Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019)

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (Dir: J.J. Abrams, 2019).

I am writing this review assuming that anyone reading it will already know a little about the Star Wars universe, but here’s a little recap, just for fun! 

The first of George Lucas’ sci-fi/fantasy epics, released in 1977, borrowed liberally from classic Hollywood movies to became a cross generational blockbuster; something that seemed simultaneously bang up to date and appealingly old fashioned. Spawning sequel, prequels, spin-offs, theme park attractions, novels, comics and, of course, toys, Star Wars became a multimedia phenomenon, the like of which has not been equalled before or since. This latest movie The Rise of Skywalker is the final instalment of the nine movie strong (not including spin-offs) saga. 

I am not too hot at writing synopses at the best of times and also don’t want to give anything away, so I will make this as brief and spoiler free as possible: In this, Episode IX, the Resistance are, once again, up against the First Order. Rey, meanwhile has some serious soul searching to do and some pretty important decisions to make. Which is kind of it, although a lot more happens besides! 

Who would have guessed the final Star Wars movie would prove so divisive? Fandom can be a funny thing. As a Stars Wars fan I fall somewhere in between casual and obsessive. My favourite is the original Star Wars (George Lucas, 1977), later clunkily subtitled Episode IV: A New Hope. I enjoyed both The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi, I would happily sit through the prequels if I had nothing better to do and I think the Ewoks movies have a goofy charm. I genuinely enjoy immersing myself in the Star Wars universe and am happy to report that I enjoyed this final instalment of the saga that began 42 years earlier. 

A bit more of a romp than the preceding two instalments, co-writer/director J.J. Abrams has fashioned a rollercoaster adventure that barely stops for breath. Its more poignant and emotional moments, of which there are many, are offset by the humour that was sadly missing in the prequels and by a general good natured atmosphere. It is an adventure movie that just wants to be loved and, while it does not quite rank with the best of the series, I did indeed love it! 

Special effects are, as you would expect, spectacular. There are enough twists and turns in the plot to keep you on the edge of your seat, while longtime fans will appreciate the nods to previous movies including some welcome cameos of characters past. 

Key to the movies enjoyment is the game playing of its likeable cast, most notably Oscar Isaacs’ Poe Dameron; his cheeky-chappie-Han-Solo-ish persona comes to the fore more here than in previous movies and for me, Isaacs is the real standout of the newer gang members. Perhaps as a consequence, Finn seems a little underwritten. While John Boyega has impressed in previous entries, here, through no fault of his own, is left with seemingly little to do. As Rey, Daisy Ridley spends much of the movie in a sort of heroic turmoil, but this she does excellently! While, over the course of three movies Adam Driver has pretty much perfected his mean and moody bit as bad’un Kylo Ren. 

Scenes with Princess Leia Organa seem a little shoehorned in, perhaps inevitably, due to Carrie Fisher’s sad passing shortly after the release of The Last Jedi. Utilising outtakes from the previous movies, her one or two lines of dialogue here and there seem a little stilted. That said, I think her inclusion was justified and it provides a fitting tribute to the actress and the character than fans would otherwise have been denied. 

So we conclude the Star Wars nineology (or whatever) with a movie which, while perhaps not among the best of the series is still a mostly satisfying end to the franchise. Those fans who come to Star Wars first and foremost to be entertained should not be disappointed. Oh yeah, it’s still much better than any of those prequels.