Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

21 Dec, 2019

This review may contain spoilers.

Ok I still really like it but I gotta bring my score down just a bit. This movie really is a mess. There’s so much going on, a ton of convenient writing and weak plot devices. I hate the whole Chewie “dying” thing. The whole thing about how he “must’ve been on another transport” is so dumb and it was only so they had a reason to be on Kylo’s ship. The Leia scenes are horrible the more you watch them. It’s so obvious that they wrote her scenes based on the footage the had because they dialogue is atrocious and uncomfortable. It would’ve been more of a service to Carrie if they killed her off screen. The inclusion of Palpatine is also very lazy and it never feels necessary. The Sith way finder is also really stupid, lazy and nonsensical. I also wanted a lot more of the new characters like Zorri and Babu. And they try to give Hux some justice but instead they make him even more of a joke. There are also a few moments where it feels like they could’ve taken big risks like killing Chewie and/or Rey. Not that I wanted these characters to die but it would been really bold, shocking and ballsy. I also didn’t feel like we got quite enough of Kylo and I find it hard to believe that he would’ve changed that easily. But by far the thing I hated the most was the kiss. It was so so so so so forced! It was only cause they read online threads and comments and fan fiction about “Reylo” and they thought, huh the fans might like that. Rey and Kylo never had any romantic chemistry. EVER. It was a personal bond through their common experiences and it would’ve been sooooooo much better had they just left it at a hug. Even if they did have romantic chemistry, it’s always better to be subtle. And also Finn and Rey are supposed to be together!!! And we never even find out what Finn was going to say! And also Finn and Poe do not get enough development and it’s not fair to drop a half baked Finn is force sensitive hint on us if it’s the last movie in the saga. But even through these massive flaws I still really enjoy the movie. I love all the characters, the action is really well done and all the amazing references and surprises are so fun. Although, I’m not sure how satisfied I am with Rey being a Palpatine or even revealing her lineage in the first place but they still did a fantastic job with her arc. It’s not a perfect movie and it’s a gigantic mess of a movie for sure but it improves on the boring and dull fuck you that was The Last Jedi and it makes me feel good to be a Star Wars fan. It’s a rousing, swashbuckling, classic Star Wars adventure that did a decent job at wrapping up an already derailed trilogy. Also I got to catch the Tenet prologue which was INSANELY amazing. I got to see the damn opening scene 7 months before it’s even out!

Rating: B-

20 Dec, 2019

Still a total blast on second viewing but definitely a lot more flaws are apparent.
I noticed a lot of lazily written areas this time and I still HATE that one thing at the end but other than that I’m still satisfied and I LOVE what they did with Rey. I’ll do a spoiler filled analysis tomorrow after I see it in IMAX to catch the Tenet prologue.

Rating: A-

19 Dec, 2019

Is it perfect? No. But is it a ton of fun and a satisfying conclusion? Hell yeah. There are so many surprises, so many exciting and emotional moments, the crowd was loving it and it was such a damn good time. I’m definitely not sure about certain plot points though. I also could’ve used some more character development for Poe and Finn. And there are definitely some lulls mostly towards the middle but overall I walked out happy and satisfied. I really don’t get the toxic reactions and I have no idea how anyone in their right mind could see this as the worst Star Wars movie. There’s nothing wrong with “fan service” and there’s no obscene, movie-ruining flaw. Although there is one thing at the end that bothered me a lot. But I can’t wait to see it again tomorrow!!

Rating: A-