BLOG: ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’ embodies the good and bad that comes with legacy
The Star Wars sequel trilogy explored an array of themes, but if one had to choose one word to describe this overall trilogy, it would be “legacy.”
Disney’s attempt at making a Star Wars sequel trilogy has proven to be arguably more divisive than the prequel trilogy. “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” is no exception, but nevertheless shows itself to be a fitting close. Of course, endings are never easy, and “The Rise of Skywalker” succeeds in being a good finale, albeit of course a flawed one.
“The Rise of Skywalker” follows the tropes of every third film in a Star Wars trilogy: a lot packed in, the subtitle starting with an “R,” and Palpatine being the main threat. The film ends up having the convoluted pacing and lore exploring of “Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith” and the meek spectacle of “Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.”
The film’s director and co-writer J. J. Abrams said from the start that the film was meant to not only bring this trilogy to a close but also the story of the previous trilogies as well. For a film that sought to do this, and all the film had going against it, “The Rise of Skywalker” manages to succeed with much fan service many hoped could have been common throughout the entire trilogy. Some have been critical of this fan service, but this service is important as it recognizes both the original and prequel trilogies. Thus, giving viewers the sense that this is the end of the nine-film story.
The film opens with a premise that immediately puts to rest many of the unanswered questions fans have had about the previous two films, such as the mystery of Snoke. This is, of course, the return of the film’s (and the Star Wars saga as a whole) main antagonist Emperor Palpatine, who is back to finally bring control over the galaxy once and for all.
As one might expect, because the film contains so much, the film is certainly fast-paced which can be considered good, but at the same time may make many feel the story is rushed. In the original trilogy, we saw “Return of the Jedi” filling us with more family revelations and plot lines that clearly were not planned from the start and in “Revenge of the Sith,” fans saw the transformation of Anakin Skywalker into Darth Vader and all its implications within one film rather than being spread across the entire trilogy. In the sequel trilogy, “The Force Awakens” and “The Last Jedi” functioned as a two-part origin story and development of the trilogy’s new characters, with “The Rise of Skywalker” choosing to finally put the true arc of the story in motion.
Palpatine’s return is a grand one and proves to be one of the best decisions on the writer’s part in addressing not only plot lines of the sequel trilogy but the Star Wars saga as a whole. Whether one wants to believe the decision was planned from the start or not, the return of Palpatine was a brilliant one that makes sense for the story.
Many fans may not see it, but the Star Wars films are as much the story of Palpatine as they are the story of the Skywalkers because of the actual war and its story being caused by Palpatine. The entire saga has been one driven by Palpatine’s actions as the player behind the scenes and him being the threat is the ultimate way to conclude a saga whose conflict has been his doing.
While the heroes and villains of the sequel trilogy have at first sight been participants in the legacy of the Skywalkers, it is Palpatine and the war he started that these characters have had to face the legacy of, with those of the Skywalker family being one of the main victims of Palpatine’s actions.
The film’s theme of legacy can truly be felt in its use of the character of Leia Organa, who is portrayed by the late Carrie Fisher. The film utilizes previously recorded footage of Fisher to portray her, something that is done very well and plays into the story in a grand way. This use of previously recorded footage is a special effects innovation that certainly deserves recognition, especially when one considers that CGI or recasting could have been done to continue her character. Aside from the story itself, the film’s greatest achievement is arguably its treatment of Fisher’s legacy and her iconic character.
The remainder of the cast, including the main trio – Daisy Ridley, John Boyega and Oscar Isaac – provide performances that are full of the energy one would expect and hope for in their finale. Adam Driver of course shines as the star, giving his complex character Kylo Ren the right amount of intricate emotions that have plagued his character from the start.
Driver shows more than any of the other newcomers that he knows his character and fails to disappoint. Actors from the previous trilogies such as Mark Hamill and Billy Dee Williams show themselves to be veterans of their roles as much as their characters are veterans of the galactic war. If there is one thing that should not divide fans, it is the phenomenal performances the cast delivers.
“The Rise of Skywalker” is a mix of emotions that does many things right and provides revelations, twists, and theories that fans hoped to get from the start of this sequel trilogy. Of course, when exploring the legacy of anything, there is good, bad, ugly and all in between.
The sequel trilogy as a whole has been one that has attempted to continue the series’ legacy and forced many to reevaluate the legacy of Star Wars. This is especially evident in this film, as seen by the struggles, conflict, and revelations the film presents and is sure to divide and leave many debating for years some of the decisions.
The film manages to successfully wrap up the story that has spanned 42 years, the story of the Skywalkers and the war they have influenced for decades, but like most conclusions, they are often just as many new beginnings as they are endings. The Skywalker saga may be over, but a new era may likely rise. One simply has to wonder what Disney has planned.
