Star Wars: Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker: Review

WARNING, MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!


The 42 year journey ends, and while I wish it would've done one thing differently, it was still a satisfying ending.


The opening to the film surprised me, due to how quickly they brought back Emperor Palpatine. Adam Driver's facial expressions in this opening were some of his best acting in this series. Ian McDiarmid's long awaited return was worth the wait in this film, as his acting was still excellent.

The reveal that General Hux was a spy for the Resistance was a great twist. And when Finn and Poe found out that he was only doing this so Kylo would lose made me laugh so hard. I was stunned at how quickly soon afterwards Hux was killed by Allegiant General Pryde, but it was necessary so as to keep the story flowing.

The reveal that Rey was the granddaughter of Palpatine stunned me to no end. I was not expecting that at all, but it explained why she was so powerful with the force. So while Kylo was right about her parents being nobody special, her grandfather was the important character in the series.

The death of Leia surprised me as well, due to the way that she died. Chewbacca finding out and his expressions were very emotional. Daisy Ridley's acting in this scene was excellent, as was Adam Driver's.

The redemption of Kylo Ren, due to his mother dying, was a great scene, due to Harrison Ford showing up. Ford's last scene between him and Adam was some of the best acting, as Ben rejected his Sith identity and became the daughter of Han and Leia once more.

Rey going into exile on Ahch-To was a great scene as well due to Luke Skywalker's spirit arriving and comforting her due to her fear of becoming her grandfather. Luke giving Rey Leia's old lightsaber was a huge suprise, and seeing Luke lift his X-Wing out of the ocean was a great callback to The Empire Strikes Back.

As I said above, I only had one problem with this movie, and it was that I felt the movie's final space battle was a bit anti-climatic. I was really expecting a lot more from this. Episodes 4 and 6, and even 3 had great space battles, but this did not sit well with me.

The confrontation between Ben and the Knights of Ren was a great scene also. Ben defeating the Knights of Ren was a great part, as he was the one who trained him, so he would have had no problem taking them down so easily.

The confrontation between Rey and Palpatine was a great scene also. Palpatine unleashing unlimited power on the fleet was a great scene, as it showed the true power of the dark side, and explained that every Sith Lord's spirit lives on in Palpatine.

Rey hearing the voices of all of the dead Jedi, and gaining their power was fan service galore. As Palpatine fired force lightning at her, she blocked it with her lightsaber and fired it back at Palpatine, and declared herself a Jedi, killing him.

The scene where Ben finds Rey's dead body and holds her nearly brought me to tears, due to the soundtrack and Adam's acting. Ben, wanting to atone for his actions as Kylo and feeling that he had nothing left to live for, transfered his life force into her. Rey awakened and kissed Ben, before he died and his body disappeared, becoming one with the force. The death of Ben was very emotional, and Daisy's acting was great in this scene as well.

The ending where Rey goes back to Luke's old homestead on Tatooine to bury Luke and Leia's lightsaber was a very emotional scene. I loved Rey's new lightsaber also, due to its color, and the fact that it was her staff. I also loved the part when a villager asked her name, and upon seeing the spirits of Luke and Leia, she calls herself Rey Skywalker.

I loved the decision to have Rey call herself Skywalker, due to the fact that A. Luke and Leia basically took her in and adopted her into their family. B. Ben gave her his life force.

The lightsaber fights in the film were very unique. I loved the battle between Rey and Kylo on the ruins of the Death Star.

The return of Lando Calrissan was great as well. I was really suprised that they did not kill him at end. Billy Dee Williams gave another great performance also.

C-3PO's role in this film was great. Anthony Daniels' performance throughout the Star Wars Saga has been a very underrated performance I feel. 3PO's one liners in this film were great also.

Overall, despite a lackluster final space battle, Star Wars: Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker sends the beloved series out on a great and satisfying high note due to its emotion, fan service, J.J. Abrams strong direction, return of familiar faces, incredible visual effects, a great musical score, strong lightsaber duels, and strong performances from Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, and Ian McDiarmid.

Out of 4 stars I would give it...

3.5 out of 4