The epic conclusion to the Skywalker saga covers lots of ground and ends by catering to nostalgia.
<<This review contains spoilers. Do not proceed if you don’t want to be spoiled.>>
In the 1982 film, Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Captain Kirk was faced with overcoming the Kobiashi Maru, a no-win scenario posed to test the character of Star Fleet cadets.* Kirk succeeded by cheating, reprogramming the simulator so that the freighter sending the distress signal can actually be rescued. (The 2009 Chris Pine version of Kirk reprogrammed the test so that the Klingon ships dropped their shields.)
Alas, writing and directing Episode IX of the Star Wars films doesn’t provide the chance for J.J. Abrams the ability to reprogram fans’ expectations. The franchise covers 42 years of material and with it, 42 years of fandom. Some of those fans are rabid, and some are stubborn. This was Abrams’ Kobiyashi Maru. He came back to the franchise to end the beloved Skywalker saga, knowing full well that not everyone would be satisfied.
Rise of Skywalker also follows director Rian Johnson’s polarizing The Last Jedi, which was so different from traditional Star Wars films that petitions were signed to remove it from actual canon. Coming back to the franchise, Abrams and writer Chris Terrio had to decide what to keep and what to remove from the previous film. In other words, this was the task list:
- Write a heartwarming and engaging film that rekindled Star Wars nostalgia for multiple generations
- Finally reveal the lineage of protagonist Rey
- Give antagonist Kylo Ren a full character arc, either as a hero or villain
- Include epic space battles
- Work around the 2016 death of Carrie Fisher, who embodies Star Wars nostalgia
- RetCon/ignore/continue with the polarizing changes made in The Last Jedi
- Include 400 cameos
- Sell toys
- Make sure Disney earns back the money for the Star Wars acquisition
- Do all of this while 50% of the audience has preconceived notions that their ideas for the film are better than what actually makes it to theaters.
Skywalker runs roughly 142 minutes and manages to hit on the majority of that list. Fisher’s General Leia is used sparingly but in the right way. Where Rogue One used far too many scenes of CGI Grand Moff Tarkin, Abrams and crew consulted with Fisher’s family to use previously recorded scenes from shooting. They wrote around the limited amount of dialogue to primarily only use actual footage of the actress. This approach is a tribute within the story that allows viewers a brief chance to see Fisher once more on screen before saying a final farewell.
The film isn’t without surprises from frame one. In the opening crawl, it’s revealed that Palpatine, the evil emperor is alive. He has called out to First Order Supreme Leader Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) who finds him on an uncharted planet called Exegul. Palpatine reveals that he has been the puppeteer behind Ren’s existence for decades. He then offers a fleet of star destroyers that possess the power to wipe out any resistance. All he wants in exchange is Rey (Daisy Ridley).
Determined to circle back and slaughter Palpatine once he’s finished, Ren heads out to find Rey and bring her to the former emperor. He summons the Knights of Ren; has he mask rebuilt (kintsugi style) and begins the search for her. Rey, meanwhile, is training to become a full-fledged Jedi under the guidance of Leia herself. She begins to have visions tied to the Force, and leaves her training early to find answers to the questions she has had her entire life.
Skywalker is incredibly fast-paced due to the sheer amount of storylines and character arcs that need to conclude. The writing steers in several directions. Some attempt to recapture the magic of the first time viewers were exposed to the franchise. Others exist to ramp up the stakes. The best moments shine through when the core cast, Ridley, John Boyega and Oscar Isaac share the screen. These scenes show how the characters have grown and often revisit the fast pace of humor that has made them so enjoyable together.
The majority of the film is in the hands of Ridley and Driver and that is by far the best decision the writing team makes. There is a balance with sub-plots and original characters (and yes, those characters who exist to just sell Hasbro products), but for the most part, it’s Reylo (the internet made that up, not me) that propels the story. Rey gets her answers and Kylo gets his ending. Those are two things that this film gets right.
It goes without saying that the visuals and the sound effects are absolutely stunning. Many of John Williams’ original themes are intertwined and slightly changed to fit the scenes. The chilling sound effects are present, from the roar of the TIE fighters to Kylo Ren’s light saber. The landscapes of deserts, forests, and even tsunamis are an immersive experience.
The film features plenty of cameos and easter eggs. The dialogue often includes callbacks to earlier episodes in the series. One exchange is almost word for word from Episode VII and it will have viewers in tears.
For all it is and for all it is expected to be, Rise of Skywalker isn’t perfect. It can’t be. It is, however, a full throttle thrill ride that successfully finds home for its characters, its viewers and the Skywalker saga.
(*Yes, I did just open a Star Wars review with a Star Trek reference. – nK)