In a momentous end to a 42-year saga, the Skywalker story is at last concluded. Responsible for a deep and ceaseless social media rift, The Rise of Skywalker has turned off critics and split the fan base. Some labor under the impression that it was a horrific and lacking conclusion to what had been a beloved intergenerational story. But the more average consensus is that the movie doesn't deserve quite as much hate as it's getting, yet, like all movies, had its flaws.
The Rise Of Skywalker was a fitting end to the saga; while it does have its flaws, it has other moments that prove extremely elevating, possibly making it the best film across all 3 trilogies. Obviously there are major spoilers ahead!
10 Fell Short: The Prophecy
The Rise Of Skywalker's largest, and most fair, criticism, is that it was a bit overstuffed. The result is that the movie raised a bunch of questions, some of them questioning truths we have known for years now.
The biggest aspect of the Prequel Trilogy is the Prophecy - an ancient Jedi prediction that the Chosen One, a fatherless force user, would bring balance to the Force. We have been led to believe that this Chosen One is Anakin Skywalker. But, Rey's ultimate defeat of Palpatine draws that into question.
There is evidence that suggests that Anakin is still the Chosen One, but does that make Rey another Chosen One? It just gets a little confusing, and JJ Abrams would have benefited from explaining this more clearly.
9 Best Yet: C-3PO
The sarcastic protocol droid has made his way into each of the nine films in the Star Wars saga. But, for the most part, his role was minor, constituting a few famous lines and some mechanical screaming. The Rise Of Skywalker finally granted C-3PO the role he deserves; he was relevant to the plot, he was funnier than he has ever been before, and he was, at last, fully integrated into the film.
The great part about this is that the full characterization of C-3PO builds a bridge between the prequels and the sequels, notably with his mentioning how the Senate passed a law forbidding protocol droids to translate Sith. Finally, C-3PO had the role he deserved.
8 Fell Short: The Dagger
The dagger that contained the location of the Sith Wayfinder represents both a missed opportunity and a plot hole. In terms of the latter, it seems a bit too easy that this seemingly ancient weapon includes the exact location of the Wayfinder, which was hidden on the more recently crashed Death Star. Who put the Wayfinder there, and who built this dagger to make it findable?
As a missed opportunity, it would have been interesting if Abrams had incorporated the Dagger of Mortis, from the Mortis Arc in Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Especially as this seems to have been the final contest between Jedi and Sith, resulting at last in balance. To incorporate the concept of Mortis would have been more than appropriate, and would also have provided some explanation for the dagger's origins.
7 Best Yet: The Light and Dark Balance
Over 42 years and nine films, every hero has always pursued a balance between the light and the dark sides. The prequel trilogy ended in a sort of balance; where once there were thousands of Jedi and two Sith, Revenge of the Sith concluded with about equal numbers.
The original trilogy had more Sith than Jedi - it ended with the survival of Luke Skywalker, the extermination of the Sith, and the implication that Luke would go on to train more Jedi. This exploit, as the sequel trilogy has shown us, ended in more imbalance.
Now, at last, proven by her yellow blade, Rey has achieved balance - there are neither Jedi nor Sith. Rey seems to be something of a gray Jedi; 'There is no light without the dark. There is only the Force.'
6 Fell Short: The Palpatine Plothole
The biggest question surrounding Palpatine's presence in this story is his connection to Rey. The knowledge of her birthright and her true parentage was integral to Rey's character and the story at large but there is a question as to how that came to be.
Palpatine, the Sith Lord, has never shown any indication that he would enter into intimate relations with anyone. The fact that he is her paternal grandfather seems like an easy link in the story that went thoroughly unexplained, although we're not entirely sure we want an explanation.
5 Best Yet: Ben Skywalker
Star Wars is filled with alluring characters and fantastic arcs. The arc of Anakin Skywalker was deeply emotional, the arc of Luke Skywalker was inspiring. But the arc of Ben Skywalker is perhaps the greatest character arc the Star Wars saga has ever seen. Perhaps this is, in part, due to the stunning performance Adam Driver gave, but it goes beyond that.
His story begins with him pursuing the path of a Jedi. But, like his grandfather, he is seduced by the dark side and becomes Kylo Ren. The Last Jedi added to both his character and power, but it was The Rise Of Skywalker that showed just how complex he was. He was a character that was always in turmoil. He burned bridges, slaughtered people, and saught power. But his redemption provided a fitting death for Leia, while also turning him, at last, into the hero.
His final sacrifice, followed by him becoming one with the Force, proves that he was never truly evil and that people are not defined by their past.
4 Fell Short: Rey... Skywalker?
In a highly predictable moment, before the setting suns of Tattooine, Rey is asked who she is. And she responds, after gazing at the Force ghosts of Luke and Leia, "Rey...Skywalker." This moment didn't feel authentic.
The movie spends a long time reinforcing this idea that blood is not important, that names don't matter. Yet here, she claims the name that spawned a saga and several intergalactic conflicts. If this was meant to be a finite conclusion to the Skywalker saga, it would have been far more fitting for the name to have died with Ben Skywalker.
3 Best Yet: The Force Dyad
With every new film, George Lucas's intent was to accomplish something never-before-seen. Unfortunately, much of the sequel trilogy was little more than a regurgitation of the original films. But The Rise Of Skywalker showcased the Force in a way that has never before made the big screen.
Besides the Force healing, the entire concept of a Force Dyad was creative, unique, and incredibly fitting to the film, its main characters, and the trilogy at large. The idea of it pushed the limits of the Force, furthered the story, and provided some really interesting imagery, as well as further complicating the characters of both Ben and Rey, through their strange intergalactic relationship.
2 Fell Short: Ben's Death
I must preface this by saying that I understand why Ben had to die. He was entirely irredeemable - he was a ruthless killer and his death provided his redemption. However, it would fit the story to have Ben Skywalker 'rise' in the literal sense, rather than having Rey survive to take his name.
His sacrifice also marked the third time Force heal was used; it felt excessive and forced. Ben Skywalker is a much more complex and intriguing character; he deserved Rey's ending.
1 Best Yet: Darth Sidious
'The dark side is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be .... unnatural.' - Sheev Palpatine
Everything Abrams did with Palpatine was creative, fitting to the narrative, and well-executed. Beyond canonizing some Legends storylines, it makes sense for Palpatine to be the ultimate evil that encompasses all trilogies. It also makes sense that Snoke was created and controlled by Palpatine.
The moment when Palpatine confessed to being every voice Kylo Ren has ever heard was chilling and powerful. Plus, the power that Palpatine showcased as the Lord of the Sith was visually astounding and recalcitrant of Old Republic Legends, something that is always interesting to see on the big screen. Palpatine's arc was truly an essential and thrilling aspect of an absolutely epic conclusion.
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