Star Wars : Episode IX - The Rise Of Skywalker

STAR WARS : EPISODE IX - 

THE RISE OF SKYWALKER

Director : J.J Abrams

Year : 2019

Genre : Science Fiction

Rating : *1/2

Narratively clustered, emotionally hollow and painfully derivative, the beloved 'Star Wars' story ends less with a bang than with a whimper with 'The Rise Of Skywalker', the third movie in Disney's sequel trilogy and the underwhelming ninth and final entry in what is now being dubbed ''The Skywalker Saga.'' Helmed by J.J Abrams, the man who kicked off the trilogy so successfully with 'The Force Awakens' five years ago, 'The Rise Of Skywalker' purports to bring to a definitive end the epic story which began all the way back in 1977 with Luke, Han and Leia in 'A New Hope'.  

Bringing together all of the returning cast including Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac and John Boyega as well as some old favourites such as Mark Hamill, Billy Dee Williams, Ian McDiarmid and of course, the late great Carrie Fisher, 'The Rise Of Skywalker' is a nostalgically affectionate yet utterly unaffecting swansong that fatally concedes to the enormous fanboy pressures felt in the wake of the divisive reaction towards 'The Last Jedi' at the ultimate sacrifice of interesting characters, believable motivations or even a remotely cohesive plot. After it is hastily revealed that the evil Emperor Palpatine (McDiarmid) did not in fact die at the hands of Darth Vader as seen in 'Return Of The Jedi', our heroes Rey (Ridley), Finn (Boyega) and Poe (Isaac) must once again traverse the far-reaches of the galaxy to finally bring an end to the Sith while also avoiding the ever-growing wrath of the First Order and their leader, the conflicted Kylo Ren (Driver). 

While much can be, and indeed has been, criticised regarding the pacing, the tone and the overall execution of 'The Rise Of Skywalker', what cannot be denied is that is looks absolutely wonderful. As is always the case with a 'Star Wars' picture, the special effects used to bring the films many trademark space battles, creatures, environments and settings are all top notch and congratulations must be given to the many artists, designers, animators and sculptors who have once again created a hugely dynamic and visually stunning cinematic experience. Great too are the performances from the cast, particularly those given by Adam Driver and Daisy Ridley whose burgeoning companionship and possible romance provide 'The Rise Of Skywalker' with it's solitary glimmer of emotional resonance. However, these remain the bright spots in an anotherwise lacklustre bore whose overt similarities to other 'Star Wars' pictures as well as its shameless attempts to retcon the bold yet controversial choices made by Rian Johnson and 'The Last Jedi'  have concluded one of the silver screens most loved sagas in a way that is all at once dull, predictable, pandering and above all, safe.