Embed from Getty Images Being a person who has been blessed to see now all nine Star Wars films in their original releases (Han shot first!) the final film in the epic Skywalker arc of Star Wars is in theaters now, The Rise of Skywalker. This review will have spoilers.
To begin, The Rise of Skywalker starts unlike many of the films previously, No space ship chase or fast paced action intro, the movie opens with Supreme Leader Kylo Ren engaged in a ground attack on Mustafar.
Ren there finds a Sith wayfinder and is off to search for Emperor Palpatine whom we find somehow survived being tossed over the second Death Star reactor core. Palpatine has been bidding his time on the ancient Sith planet Exogol. It is a dead planet which sets a dark tone. Ren finds the Emperor who tries to bait him into doing something for him, in exchange Ren is told he can run the Empire. The Emperor tells Ren he is every voice inside his head he has ever hear (insert cool part here.) He tells him he created Snoke as we see clone chambers with multiple Snoke’s in them.
Emperor Palpatine, is attached to a sort of life-support arm that moves with him. It adds to his already creepy nature. For this viewer Palpatine steals the movie. He is at his all-time evil prime.
Poe, Finn, Rose, Chewbacca all are at their collective best in the sequel trilogies final film. A film that is clunky after the opening scene, until it finds it’s footing about halfway through.
Rey, is at her best. After Kylo Ren tells her she is the grand daughter of Emperor Palpatine, Rey goes on a mission. Her showdown with the Emperor is very well done.
Kylo Ren, sees a vision of his father Han Solo, and is changed. He goes back to being Ben Solo. Though he has Skywalker in his bloodline thanks to his mother Leia Organa (Skywalker.) Ren then joins his grand father Anankin Skywalker and uncle Luke Skywalker and makes a sacrifice that costs him his life. A nice tie-together for sure.
The last scene is perhaps the best. Rey goes to Tatoonie, to bury Luke and Leia’s lightsabers at the old farm house. A lady asks who she is, Rey pauses and says “I’m Rey……… Rey Skywalker.” Effectively doing what Kylo Ren said back in The Force Awakens “Let the past die, kill it if you have to.” She no longer wanted to be associated with Palpatine and started over while honoring both Luke and Leia.
All in all, this is the best film of the sequels. It is a thrill ride and it is an emotional journey. A very fitting end to the Skywalker saga.
