“This is not going to go the way you think.”
It’s odd that a line spoken in The Last Jedi would have more impact in its sequel.
As the fandom imploded upon itself from the films controversial direction and tone, many went into a state of Jedi-like meditation hoping to resolve their issues with the franchise come its next installment.
With the franchise having trained for 2 years to hopefully return stronger than before, does The Rise Of Skywalker resolve the whim of The Last Jedi? Or does it fall to the dark side…
The surviving Resistance faces the First Order once more as Rey, Finn and Poe Dameron’s journey continues. With the power and knowledge of generations behind them, the final battle commences.
I’m a fan of The Last Jedi. I think the grim direction they were heading in was something fresh. BUT….when you place it in context with what Abrams has now delivered, it almost feels like a standalone story.
They don’t ignore it, but merely take parts of the story to fit it into the overall narrative of the trilogy. The rest of it though, is thrown on the pyre and is then adorned with glitter as the series takes a step back to it’s 2 main selling points;
- Space Wizards
- Fun
It ain’t out there to change the Incom 4L4 fusial thrust engine on a T-65B X-Wing, but it does show Abrams learned from The Force Awakens. It’s not about reliving the past. It’s about taking that and making something better from it.
I don’t need to explain the story, because it’s typical fare. Adventure to save the galaxy, yadda, yadda. But boy does Abrams do a lot of cool sh*t to get there.
Exposition heavy at the start, once we swing into it, the cast get to have fun. Daisy Ridley continues to lead as the strong-shouldered Rey, carrying the burden of being the last Jedi and more with her. Oscar Isaac continues to be attractive and has SWOONY moments with Keri Russell in quite possibly my favourite role of hers to date. John Boyega is Finn who continues to worry about everything Rey does even though she’s A F*CKING JEDI. And Adam Driver…pal, you’re doing so great. Thank you.
ALSO! in the year we got Pawny from MiB International, they’re already in the trash as your new favourite tiny alien pal is introduced in this film.
On the note of Space Wizards, the team finally lean into doing some crazy Space Wizard sh*t and oh boy is it great. Something I’ve wanted since we came into this era of special effects the franchise gave birth too; We finally get A LOT.
Pushy/pully bois. Flippy bois. Lightning bois. Saber bois. Just a lot of Force attuned bois to be honest.
With all explained, the story pushes at lightspeed to tie up this “End Of A Saga“. And it does! Maybe not in ways we’ll love, but a way that fits Star Wars as a whole. It’s fun. It’s cute. There’s wizard-y sh*t. It’s lovely. It answers things you didn’t even know you wanted answered. And it sends those who came before off in ways that pay homage to legacy.
The only way I can explain what I mean by this, is I squealed and happy-cried so many times in the year that also delivered us Avengers: EndGame.
What a year for movies.
