SPOILER FREE
Everyone was invited to the goodbye party for the George Lucas Trilogy that expanded beyond all imagination with J.J. Abrams’s putting his stamp on the universe again.
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away Star Wars burst onto the screen and life has never been the same for fans rather Jedi, Empire or Rebel it has permeated our lives to animation, comic books, games, cosplay and (for some) a life philosophy.
I have been counting the days since they announced that this was the final chapter of the saga. I wasn’t sure what to expect after Disney took over and began to make it their own.
This final film was what I expected but still had surprises that I didn’t know I wanted but when I saw it filled my Jedi Rebel heart with joy. This is Rey’s movie. It’s her journey as she gets to know herself and place in the universe everyone else is along for the wild ride. BUT what a ride where everyone has a moment where we see into their souls or motivation. We get to say goodbye and hello again as the film returns to the beginning from when this entire universe began from our own George Lucas. We all realize we’re getting long in the tooth and aren’t the young hero anymore but that we still have our place with the rebels or empire or just trying to survive to keep our heads down and not come to the attention of the stormtroopers.
It’s a lot and some might say it’s stuffed but for me, a film that was a little over two hours that had so many stories to give closure to well J.J. did the job solidly. I mean as a fangirl I’d have cut some and focused on a few stories that have made me excited but I’m no Hollywood big wig so what do I know.
All that I can say is that it’s beautiful and follows along with the original films where Rey focuses on her Jedi training to take on the Sith Lord out to dominate the galaxy snatching freedom from those who’ve fought so hard. Rey, Finn, and Poe are the found family that holds the film together as it intertwines with beloved original characters handing the universe onto the next generation. At heart this is a story of hope and light through the darkness, love, and friendship intertwined, and how everyone (even a Jedi Knight) needs a support system.
I didn’t love the film the way I love Star Wars (A New Hope) but I saw that as a child and with a kids’ eye and well Star Wars is for kids. Anyone complaining that this isn’t ‘their Star Wars’ is suffering from having an old soul. Nothing can remain to stagnate to keep living the heart must keep beating. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is keeping the universe beating showing a new generation of heroes and villains. It’s worth seeing in Imax, 3D and well on any screen, you can find it. I plan to see it a couple of more times so that I can focus on not only the main cast but supporting characters that all had their own stories to tell from a glimpse of LGBTQ representation (don’t blink) to the fact that we have Black, Asian, Latino, and other minorities surviving into the future <phew the race war was averted or maybe we won?>. This isn’t the Star Wars of my childhood
Cast: Daisy Ridley (Rey), Adam Driver (Kylo Ren), John Boyega (Finn), Oscar Isaac (Poe Dameron), Carrie Fisher (General Leia Organa), Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), Naomi Ackie (Jannah), Domhnall Gleeson (General Hux), Richard E. Grant (Allegiant General Pryde), Lupita Nyong’o (Maz Kanata), Keri Russell (Zoril Bliss), Joonas Suotamo (Chewbacca), Kelly Marie Tran (Rose Tico), Ian McDiarmid (Darth Sidious/Palpatine), Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian)
Director: J.J. Abrams
Writer (Based on characters created by George Lucas
Writer (story by): Derek Connolly, Colin Trevorrow, Chris Terrio, J.J. Abrams
Writer: Chris Terrio, J.J. Abrams
Cinematographer: Dan Mindel
Editor: Maryann Brandon, Stefan Grube
Composer: John Williams
Action, Adventure, Science Fiction
Rated PG-13 for sci-fi, violence, and action
141 minutes
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