A spoiler-free review
***/**** (3.5 stars)
In one final attempt to destroy the First Order and return peace to the galaxy, Rey, Finn and Poe must race to unite the Resistance, facing their own personal demons along the way.
After kick-starting the third (and apparently 'final') trilogy in the Star Wars saga, J.J. Abrams is back on board to complete the job. The news was met largely with relief, especially from those who (wrongly, in my opinion) rallied against Rian Johnson's The Last Jedi. But they, like many others, are likely to be disappointed with this last outing; but then, how do you conclude one of the most iconic series ever created? For me, Rise of Skywalker just doesn't feel like a Star Wars films - although all the hallmarks are there (as well as numerous references to the past films), it just lacks that soul, that je ne sais quoi, that we've all come to expect from the saga. Even The Mandalorian, for all its numerous faults, somehow manages to retain that 'rough around the edges' aura better than this. I, personally, don't have an issue with how the story itself develops (there are a couple of 'what?' moments, but they're hardly offensive), it's just that it feels so... empty? And for all J.J.'s good intentions, those flashbacks to the film's predecessors just made me miss the old ones more...
As you can see, dear reader, I'm struggling to put my finger on exactly what was wrong, so let's look at the positives instead. Well, for starters, it's undeniably entertaining: after the ridiculous planet-hopping and poorly edited opening scenes in which we catch up with our heroes and the 'plot' for the film is established, we settle down into action-packed set pieces accompanied by John Williams' sweeping soundtrack. The film's main strength, the relationship between Rey (Daisy Ridley, no longer acting with her lower jaw) and Kylo Ren (Adam Driver, angsty as ever), is played out with conviction and is one of the most enjoyable aspects - we're treated to some excellent saber battles as well as (for me, anyway) fulfilling character development. They're the only characters who really experience this treatment, however, as Finn (John Boyega, doing his best) is unfortunately rather sidelined, whilst Poe (Oscar Isaac) has lost a little of his roguish demeanour. The quick-witted 'banter' between our three heroes is, however, humorous and engaging, although it did at times remind me a little too much of the dialogue heard in another of Abrams' space flicks, Star Trek. New characters, too, are introduced all too quickly and remain wholly one dimensional.
Despite so many enjoyable aspects, however, Rise of Skywalker just isn't a Star Wars film. If feels as though somewhere, between all the throwbacks to the previous films and a desperation to wrap up the saga in a satisfactory way, the essence of a 'galaxy far, far away' was lost. Undoubtedly, it's an entertaining film and there's much to celebrate but, in the shadow of what has come before and under the weight of expectation, it never quite lives up to its hallowed forefathers. But then, what could?
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