Episode IX is a big movie. A big, overstuffed, bloated mess of a movie. However, when the film decides to pick up and get going (after about 30 minutes of heavy exposition) it’s a solid reminder of what came before. A space opera filled with fun, adventure, laser swords and a ‘force’ that binds it all together.
While sitting through The Rise of Skywalker one can tell there was a clear mandate to course correct what came before in episode VIII. In case you’re unfamiliar with the previous sentence, The Last Jedi is probably the most divisive movie in all of Star Wars history. Some love Rian Johnson’s attempt to get a tad more philosophical with the Force mythology and character development. Others felt that it completely ignored the tone of what a Star Wars movie should be and that he ignored the setup from J.J. Abrams’s The Force Awakens.
Pretty early in The Rise of Skywalker we the audience are treated to one of this saga’s main characters return to the galaxy. A return that hasn’t been set up in the two previous films that came before. A return that completely turns this sequel trilogy into something else and we all just have to accept it. That’s pretty much the gist of ‘Rise’. We’re told stuff. Stuff happens. We then go to the next scene where more stuff happens and we accept it.
The saving grace of this newest offering in the Skywalker saga is the wall to wall fan service. It’s practically bursting at the seams with it. Familiar faces, dialogue and tropes return and will definitely make any Star Wars fan joyful in a way The Last Jedi (a film I loved) couldn’t. Also, new Force powers are introduced because…well, the plot demands it. Not terrible, but extremely jarring. For the first time in this series we are also treated to Rey (Daisy Ridley), Finn (John Boyega) and Poe (Oscar Isaac) finally going on adventures together. Their chemistry works well together and I wish that there was more of this earlier on. I can’t say enough about the character of Kylo Ren again portrayed superbly by Adam Driver. The original trilogy had Harrison Ford. The prequels, Ewen McGregor and the standout of the current trilogy has to be Driver. From day one he’s managed to give us a tortured Ben Solo that has always embraced his dark side, but can’t let go of his legacy and call to the light.
The Rise of Skywalker exists and in time I’ll get used to that. I don’t mind being hit over the head with story points, or cramming everything in last minute to the point of it all being a little ridiculous, but there has to be a better way to do it. This isn’t a bad movie. Visually it works well, the performances are clutch and as always John Williams continues to be the real MVP. Luke, Leia and Anakin all deserved a better ending. The heart and spirit of this movie is in the right place. Sadly, the execution of this project was not.
Studio: Disney
Title: Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
Director: J.J. Abrams
Writers: J.J. Abrams and Chris Terrio
Producers: Kathleen Kennedy, J.J. Abrams and Michelle Rejwan
Based on characters by: George Lucas
The Eddiot Savant 
Great review, always professional and very honest.
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