Alright, everyone! Hope you all had a merry Christmas a couple days ago! Today, we fly through a galaxy far, far away in what will be the final chapter of the Star Wars saga either for good, or at least for a long while. Let’s hope maybe for good, since there have apparently been plenty of people who have not been fans of this new trilogy. Anyway, let’s talk about the final chapter, Star Wars Episode 9: The Rise Of Skywalker.
Plot: As Rey (Daisy Ridley), Finn (John Boyega), and the rest of the Rebels fight to defeat the First Order, will they succeed, and restore peace to the galaxy once and for all? Also, as Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), as well as the unexpectedly resurrected Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) try your bring Rey over to the dark side, will she succeed, or overcome?
So what is it about the newer Star Wars films that a lot of people have not seemed to like? Could it be that Force Awakens seems to recycle some of Star Wars Episode 4: A New Hope? Could it be that Episode 8: The Last Jedi maybe focused a little too much on action and twists than a good story? You got me!
Either way, did Star Wars Episode 9: The Rise Of Skywalker succeed in improving upon Episode 7 and 8? For the most part, yes it did. Still, let’s talk about whereabouts this film fell slightly short. There was apparently this scene where a a couple who seemed to be a gay couple showed up, and then disappeared offscreen. Thankfully, it was at least for a second or two. Still, Disney, have you not realized by now, after the whole deal with Lefou in the remake of Beauty & The Beast, that allowing gay people in your films is not the best choice? Well, know this, J.J. Abrams and Disney, if you continue things like this, be prepared for even bigger controversy down the road!
Other than that, what does make this film work? Well, for one, there seem to be much better character arcs than there were in Star Wars Episodes 7 and 8. This is most notable with characters Rey, Kylo Ren, and/or maybe even Palpatine. I mean if you liked Palpatine’s character in the last portion of the original trilogy, or his role in the Star Wars prequels, you’re bound to like his character here too. Palpatine does well with acting so menacing, and basically symbolizing the devil. It just makes one wonder if movies like Episode 7, and/or maybe even 8 didn’t do so well in this area because of them trying to build up to the events of Episode 9, or if it wasn’t until Episode 9 that the makers of this film didn’t fully realize how to make a good Star Wars film, you know? Beats me! Well, I digress. Of course we have some really fun action sequences as well. Quite honestly, it is surprising how enjoyable the action is. Sure, maybe some moments of this could probably be recycled from Episode 6: Return Of The Jedi. Still, the movie knows how to go somewhat newer with that portion. The acting is also really good. In fact, it seems obvious that the actors, and/or everyone else involved in the making of this film was trying to make this movie as good as possible. What’s more is that not only will people like the visual effects, the action, and some bigger in depth moments that this movie has going for it, but there’s something else that Christians, if not non-Christians as well, will appreciate a lot about this film. What is it? Well, let me put it to you all this way! My old Pastor, Jim Ladd, back when he was Pastor at my old church, Grace Community Church, preached a series back in 2008, if I remember right, called Finding God In The Movies. Anyway, if I recall correctly, he basically took a movie each week, and discussed with the congregation how one can see God, as well as think of things from a Christian viewpoint within those certain films. Okay, yes, the Bible is the most important place to know God more. Still, let’s remember that Jesus spoke in parables in the Gospels. Not necessarily saying that the makers of certain films were Christians as well, but still. Well, just as in this year alone, we’ve also had films like Hobbs & Shaw, and the remake of The Lion King, where one could see certain aspects from a Christian perspective, the same can be said about Star Wars Episode 9: The Rise Of Skywalker. This can be most telling with the whole deal of showing grace, mercy and forgiveness even to others who don’t deserve it (which, let’s face it, who of us does deserve those things in our lives?), or not letting our past mistakes, failures, and/or even even bad backgrounds, to define us. Truth be told, I believe that even the Apostle Paul, who was in most of the book of Acts in the New Testament, as well as wrote most of the New Testament portion of the Bible, would have probably been most proud of those certain aspects of this film, if not the whole movie overall. One other thing that I should mention is that because of how much the main characters especially grow, people who have not been too fond mainly of Rey’s character in these new Star Wars film, will hopefully be more sympathetic towards her character in Episode 9. Not only that, but because of Episode 9 having better character development, better messages and themes, and other good qualities, people will more than likely enjoy Star Wars Episode 9: The Rise Of Skywalker more than The Force Awakens it The Last Jedi.
Well guys, that concludes my review for Star Wars Episode 9: The Rise Of Skywalker. You may all be wondering, did this film seem to recycle material from Star Wars Episode 6: Return Of The Jedi? Maybe to a degree! Still, due to how much the filmmakers seemed to make this as different from the other Star Wars movies as possible, there is undoubtedly more to enjoy and/or recommend with this final Star Wars movie. Because of certain elements being boosted up to the next level, people are bound to at least enjoy Star Wars Episode 9: The Rise Of Skywalker more so than they might have Force Awakens or The Last Jedi. Please give this movie a chance even if you liked most of the other Star Wars movies except for the recent Episodes 7 and 8. This is most definitely a Star Wars sequel that you would be in for a surprise.
Final Grade: A
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