STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER
US, 2019, 142 minutes, Colour.
Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver, Ian McDermid?, Billy Dee Williams, Richard E. Grant, Domnhall Gleason, Keri Russell. And, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford.
by J.J.Abrams.
Peace at last in the galaxies. And, it has taken 42 years to achieve this, three trilogies, many spin-offs for cinema and television, and billions of souvenir merchandise! Fans of Star Wars should be happy, mission accomplished.
World box office would seem to indicate that everyone is happy. However, checking the critics, digging into the opinions of the bloggers on the IMDb, apparently some of the fans in the over 5000 entries are not happy at all. Condemnations galore But, there was one writer who suggested that they all sit back, relax, watch the film instead of being on the edge of their seat to note every flaw, cataloguing every moment they disapproved of!
This reviewer remembers well the press preview in 1977 of Star Wars, excitement, off into the galaxies, off into another universe. It was pop mythmaking, a blend of comic strip adventures and characters with an enthusiasm for creating this new world. And, of course, there was The Force – and, glad to say, it is still with this final film.
This reviewer would probably fail a test if there were an examination on all the details of the three trilogies. But, that does not matter. This is a review of simply sitting in the cinema, watching what is put before us, surrendering to it, knowing it is not a perfect film (but what is!), accepting it for what it is rather than what obsessive loyalty might demand it to be.
That said, we focus on the character of Rey, introduced in Episode VII, a heroic character who is destined for leadership and greatness. We have followed her exploits, accepted Daisy Ridley as a Jedi leader, watched her being trained by Princess, now General, Leia, inspired by Luke Skywalker when she discovers him in his hermitage exile. We have seen her as an outsider, a wandering scavenger, teaming up with a sometimes-reckless pilot, Poe Dameron (a smiling Oscar Isaac) and a former storm trooper, Finn, (an earnest John Boyega). And, Chewbacca enjoyably back in grunt and action.
This time there are more problems, flights to different planets, friends and making friends of old enemies, technology to be discovered, expeditions, Chewbacca to be rescued, the group rounded up on the major starship, commanded by Richard E.Grant, aided by the obsequious spy (Domnhall Gleeson) and then off to find the wreckage of a vast spacecraft, immersed in a pounding sea and beyond-giant waves.
We are fortunate to have some stock film of Carrie Fisher so she is able to be worked into the plot, desperate, preparing to die, wanting to be reconciled to her son Ben, who in previous films surrendered to the Dark Side and became Kylo Ren (Adam Driver). He confronts Rey, plenty of laser sabre duels, Rey and her appeal to him, an invitation to emerge from the dark.
And, of course, we are very pleased when who should appear to his son but old Han Solo, Harrison Ford pleading with his son. And, as Rey retreats from all the troubles, who should appear to her and urge her on but Luke Skywalker, Mark Hamill himself. And, emerging from the past, Billy Dee Williams as Lando Calrissian helping the cause.
The revelation of the film, which practically everybody knew before they went in, is that Ian McDermid? is back as the Emperor Palpatine, devious dictator who has been manipulating the characters, determined that the Sith should defeat the Jedi, wanting Rey, now discovered as his granddaughter, to kill him, absorb his power, assume the throne.
So, the final Star Wars are the battles against the Emperor and his followers, his defeat, Ben emerging into the light and self-sacrificing, the Allies all gathering and prepared to follow Rey – and an old woman at the end asks her for who she is. She pauses for a long time and claims for herself the name of Skywalker. QED.
1. The completion of the trilogy, of the series? The impact for generations? The heroes, heroics, the life and the galaxies, The Force, good and evil, the Dark Side? Familiarity with the story, the language? Nine episodes? The spin-offs?
2. The narrative, the background of origins, the final chapter, the heritage of the Skywalkers? The role of the evil Emperor? Heroics, war and peace?
3. The cast, and the inclusion of cameos from the original cast? The familiarity and enjoyment of the score? The links to themes? The presence of Chewbacca, 3 CPO, R2D2?
4. Life in the galaxies, the spacecrafts, the planets, the wars, the dark streets of the planets, the deserts, the technology, the battle sequences?
5. Rey, her background, her destiny, hero, her skills, the training, her time with Luke, the training by Leia? The experience with Ben and his becoming Kylo Ren? The friendship with Poe and Finn? Their all being outsiders? Their skills, limitations, missions, confrontations?
6. The Empire, the Emperor, behind the scenes, the revelation to Rey, her parents and memories, her becoming a scavenger, the training, Leia and her becoming a daughter? The power of the Emperor, his plan for succession, the Siths and her becoming a Jedi, the challenge to her?
7. Leia, her role as general, training Rey, the death? The sadness about Kylo Ren? Her reappearance? Luke and his reappearance, his isolation, training Rey? The appearance of Han Solo? And the presence of Lando, still fighting?
8. The ship and the command, the crew, the work of the Empire, the commander and his loyalty, the presence of the spy, his help for the mission, his death? The mission, Chewbacca taken, the plan for the rescue, the dark, the contact and help? The dangers, the group being captured, released by the spy?
9. Rey, the ship, the encounter with Kylo Ren? Her mission, alone, the vast waves, the fighting, the retreat, the encouragement from Luke?
10. Poe and Finn as characters, their backgrounds, desperate, their leadership and skills, the fights?
11. The ultimate Star Wars, the Allies, heroics, tactics and strategies, the technology?
12. Rey and the encounter with the Emperor, her resistance, Ben and his appearance, coming from the dark side, working together, giving his life for Rey? Neighbour fights in
the Emperor’s death?
13. The ultimate victory, peace, the sun shining, new life?
14. Rey, the final questions, her becoming a Jedi, Skywalker?
