Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

All things must end, even a mega-successful film series that started forty-two years ago. The sci-fi powerhouse that has produced about a dozen on-screen films, several television shows, and countless other novels and games is finally coming to an end (sort of). The Rise of Skywalker is the ninth and final episode of the so-called "Skywalker Saga" of Star Wars that detailed Luke Skywalker and friends defeating the Empire in the original trilogy, Anakin Skywalker being corrupted by the Dark Side and becoming Darth Vader in the prequel trilogy, and now Rey and friends fighting the First Order in this sequel trilogy. Directed and co-written by J.J. Abrams, who directed The Force Awakens as well, it is not as bad as most critics have claimed, but it also feels like, despite a successful payoff in the film's final act, there are a lot of dull movements one is required to sit through to get there.

This one is a bit more convoluted than its two predecessors. "The dead speak!" the film proclaims. Palpatine, the emperor of the Galactic Empire who first appeared in Return of the Jedi and whose rise to power was chronicled in the prequel trilogy, apparently is still alive despite being thrown off a bridge by Darth Vader. Palpatine is again played by Ian McDiarmid. To prevent this mysterious return of the Dark Lord of the Sith, Supreme Leader Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) searches the galaxy to find Palpatine and eliminate the threat to his power. At the same time, Rey (Daisy Ridley, the star of this trilogy) continues her Jedi training under General Leia Organa (the late, great Carrie Fisher in her final role), who hopes to conclude what her brother Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) started. When the Resistance finds out that Palpatine has returned, they too seek him out to destroy him once and for all. So Rey takes a hiatus from her training to join Finn (John Boyega) and Poe (Oscar Isaac), along with Chewbacca (Joonas Suotamo), C-3PO (Anthony Daniels, the only actor appearing in all nine episodes), and BB-8 (the most adorable Star Wars character until Baby Yoda took that over this year) to find the location of Palpatine while avoid being hunted by Ren and his knights.

Joining the cast are Keri Russell (who worked with Abrams on Felicity) as Zorii Bliss, an old acquaintance of Poe's; Dominic Monaghan (who worked with Abrams on Lost) as a Resistance fighter named Beaumont Kin; and Naomie Ackie as Jannah, a former Stormtrooper who now fights against the First Order. But the biggest return besides McDiarmid is Billy Dee Williams as Lando Calrissian, who (despite appearing several times as the character through voice work) has not appeared on screen as his most famous role since 1983's Return of the Jedi. Also returning from previous films are Lupita Nyong'o, Kelly Marie Tran, and others. But while the cast can seem a bit overcrowded, it is a joy to watch the delectable performance of Richard E. Grant as Allegiant General Pryde, a loyalist who is suspicious of General Hux (the returning Domhnall Gleeson), at ease following the orders of the Supreme Leader, and ever faithful to Emperor Palpatine. It's a role that might not be as complex or interesting as Grant's previous work in films like Can You Ever Forgive Me? (which earned him an Oscar nomination earlier this year) or Withnail and I, but it's one of the most enjoyable on the screen; he looks like he's relishing every moment.

I do, though, wish the film had given Russell, Nyong'o, Tran, and Ackie something as interesting to do as it had for Grant. Tran, the victim of vicious attacks from trolls after The Last Jedi was released, does not have a major presence in this film. Co-writer Chris Terrio has defended this by explaining that some of the problems with making her scenes look believable with Fisher and the CGI were why they were cut. Audience members can make of that what they will. Some will undoubtedly not believe Terrio and conclude that the trolls have won.

Let me try to be as clear as I can: I liked The Rise of Skywalker. I found that it has some noticeable problems (more on that later), but I wouldn't call it a bad film. I appreciated that we finally get to see Rey, Finn, and Poe all together in a way we used to see Luke, Leia, and Han. I like that C-3PO is utilized more. And while it can drag, it does not do so in a way that feels too taxing. It does not drip with unfeasible visuals like the prequel trilogy did, but it does not possess those unforgettable moments of The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, or the standalone film Rogue One. As a result, it can sometimes (or often) feel like a bit of a bore. It is the only time I can remember looking at my watch during a Star Wars film.

Just as the two previous films fell into the trap of copying various moments and emotions of the original trilogy, so too does The Rise of Skywalker. It is great seeing McDiarmid again in his most famous role, and it's not necessarily a bad (if implausible) idea bringing back this character one more time. But unlike in the prequel trilogy, where the actor was given a variety of moments to really shine, with this film it does not feel that way. Sure, the character looks and feels different, more like a ghoul than an emperor, but it's not enough to justify his presence. And while at times The Rise of Skywalker is surprisingly quite unpredictable, it also keeps hitting the same notes one would expect. By this point in the trilogy, it seems many fans and nearly a majority of film critics have had enough. I don't blame them, and perhaps it's best that Disney and Lucasfilm have decided to put a pause (hopefully a permanent one) on the films and instead focus on television.

One thing though that the team does seem to succeed in is finding a way to conclude such a grand, multi-generation story arc in a way that is sure to satisfy many fans. Kathleen Kennedy, the producer and president of Lucasfilms, has not been given nearly enough credit for this. Sure, there have been bumps along the way (Solo), but just look at the success of this trilogy and of the new Disney+ show The Mandalorian. Yes, critical response to The Rise of Skywalker has been so-so or negative, but again, many fans will come away likely enjoying this film. As I left the theater, I overheard a young boy talking with a man I assume was his grandfather. The boy asked the man if it was his most favorite film. Politely dodging, he responded that he really enjoyed the film, and began explaining that he saw the original Star Wars film way back in 1977. He later joked with the other members of the family that the boy had joined the Dark Side as he began misbehaving. This sci-fi fantasy is a permanent part of our culture, and an unsuccessful new trilogy would have made that less likely.