4.0
Score

Pros

  • Effects
  • Soundtrack
  • Cast
  • All the old characters

Cons

  • Weak scenario
  • Not so many surprising moments
  • The ending
Camera
9
Special effects
9
Originality
1
Soundtrack
7
Characters
1
Directing
3

Final Verdict

Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise Of Skywalker is the worst and the weakest movie from the whole saga. Weak storyline, not so many new and surprising moments. Definitely not a happy ending for the Star Wars saga.

My name is Rey, Rey… Hold on for a second. Was this really the huge end of a saga that lasted 42 years? Is this the Grand Finale for which millions of Star Wars fans were waiting? Are you sure that this is it? Has the Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise Of Skywalker a happy ending?

When George Lucas wrote and released the first movie back in 1977, Star Wars was something magical, exceptional, inspiring, shocking, modern.

It was more about building a great story with a community of fans rather than making money in theaters or selling toys. It was about the good force, Jedis lead by master Yoda, and Luke Skywalker taking the fight against the bad Siths lead by Palpatine and the iconic villain Darth Vader.

The original trilogy focused more on storytelling rather than on CGI effects. Although in the 70s or 80s this term and technology did not exist. It gave people unforgettable scenes, well-designed places, and planets, and great characters that brought fans plenty of emotions and excitement.

The prequel trilogy continued with this trend and gave the fans hope. A hope that the saga is firstly in good hands and secondly that it can still give them something new and surprising.


Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise Of Skywalker – movie review

Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise Of Skywalker - movie review 1

And this is where the Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise Of Skywalker failed.

The movie is just living from its past and the name. If the critics say that The Last Jedi is one of the best Star Wars movies with many turns and surprises, then Episode IX is the total opposite. It brings nothing new or just even slightly surprising. And if you think, that the history of Rey could compensate for that one, you are wrong. She could even be the daughter of Chewbacca and it would have not changed a thing in the story. Actually that would be pretty cool to watch and maybe it would be even more interesting 🙂

Also, I think that it was one of the weakest parts of the movie. In The Force Awakens, Rey came from nowhere, had no magical powers whatsoever. Two movies later she is stronger than anyone else, can heal giant snakes and people and even stop and destroy a flying transporter with the bare hand.

The core fans might love it but to me as a small fan of the saga, it just did not come naturally.

Besides that, I would expect a few more new, shocking or exciting things to see.

Honestly, how many times you can watch a star destroyer, death star or a dark place being destroyed? Or a super-powerful fleet being destroyed just because they lack a communication station. This scenario appeared in the previous movies several times and therefore it brought nothing new.


Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise Of Skywalker - movie review

Kylo Ren and his positive rebirth was also a slight disappointment. I would rather like to see him become the villain Emperor and rule the world for a bit than to just disappear. I know that he did it for the greater good, but come on.

J.J. Abrams can say that his intention was to close the saga so the fans are happy, but to be very honest he didn’t deliver on that one at all.

At the end of the movie, I had a feeling that all the characters were weaker than at the beginning. Or even in the previous 2 movies. Poe was acting like a small child but luckily he was saved by the grandfather Lando Calrissian.

Jannah who has appeared from nowhere and survived the crash of the first Death Star got immediately the best friend with Finn. And the stormtrooper history was as boring as they fight on the side of the star destroyer. The destruction of Kijimi was a total waste of time as the fans could not build an emotional connection to it in such a short time. And the “hairdryer” droid D-O was nothing more than a hairdryer.

And the last thing that was really difficult to understand was Leia Organa and her “departure”. I am not sure who thought that this will be the best thing to do, but the person was definitely wrong. In my opinion, Leia deserved a bit more and should have been treated with bigger respect. A spectacular ending showing the best things she gave to Star Wars or a heroic death in a war leading the fleet would definitely be remembered for longer.


On the other side, they were a few bright snapshots. Like the dark moments on the Death Star when Rey was searching for a relic that could have helped her to find Exogol. A mysterious place where the Palpatine was hiding. I have to say that J.J Abrams managed to scare me for a few moments there. And the Dark Rey was definitely an interesting character to see.

Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise Of Skywalker - movie review 2

Besides Palpatine and Lando Calrissian, Han Solo and Luke Skywalker got their cameos too. I guess in those moments many hearts of fans skipped.

Among all the new characters that were introduced in the movie, I would highlight one – Babu Frick. The small and cute mechanical expert has totally stolen my heart. His “heyheyy” will stay with me for very long. Also, his appearance was voted as the best moment/character of the whole movie by some fans on the Buzzfeed.


Conclusion.

So to sum it up Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise Of Skywalker is the worst and the weakest movie from the whole saga.

Not because it is wrongly directed but because it is weakly written. I guess J.J Abrams had to work very hard to create a story that somehow fits into the saga. To glue together as many things from the scenario as possible and throw a movie that will satisfy fans worldwide.

But he underestimated one thing. Star Wars fans overgrew the whole saga. Millions of “fan directors” could have created millions of movies with a million different endings. And I bet that they would create a better and more interesting ending that would be respected by the rest of the Star Wars community.