Star Wars: Episode 9 – The Rise of Skywalker

REVIEW:

One thing I’ll never forget is December 18th, 2019. I was in London for work, walking through Leicester Square on my way to a meeting, completely unaware of what was about to happen. There were metal fences everywhere, crowds building, something clearly going on. It wasn’t until later that evening, walking back to my hotel, that I saw it. An army of red stormtroopers marching through the square, fans lining the streets, cameras flashing, and a full scale TIE fighter display standing proudly in the middle of it all. It was the premiere of Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker. I didn’t plan it, didn’t expect it, but it’s one of my favourite movie memories and something I’ll always hold onto.

Going into this film, I knew the backlash. This is a film that gets a lot of hate, and honestly, I understand most of it. But I don’t fall as low on this movie as many others do. I don’t think it’s a bad film. I think it’s a good film with some very poor decisions baked into its story. It entertains in the moment, but struggles to hold together as a finale. There’s a lot here to enjoy, but it’s constantly fighting against choices that hold it back, especially when you consider this is supposed to be the final chapter of the entire Skywalker saga.

One of the biggest positives for me is finally seeing Rey, Finn, and Poe together. It’s kind of crazy that it takes until the third film for this to properly happen. One of the reasons the original trilogy worked so well was the dynamic between Luke, Han, and Leia, and here, you finally get a glimpse of that with this new trio. They bounce off each other well, they argue, they support each other, and they feel like a slightly dysfunctional family. The chemistry, especially between Rey and Poe, gives the film a much needed energy.

But we have to address the biggest issue straight away. Bringing back Emperor Palpatine is a huge mistake. It doesn’t just feel unnecessary, it actively undoes one of the greatest endings in cinema. Darth Vader sacrificing himself in Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi was a perfect conclusion to his arc, and this film takes that and weakens it. As a fan, this is where it hurts the most.

And that’s really where my biggest frustration comes from. As a fan, I have so many ideas on how this film could have been better, more cohesive, and ultimately more satisfying. What hurts the most is that it feels like there was no real duty of care to the fans when mapping out this trilogy. There’s no clear roadmap from Episode VII to Episode IX.

I even read the original Episode IX script, Duel of the Fates, by Colin Trevorrow, and while it wasn’t perfect, it felt like a more natural continuation of what came before. It had a clearer direction. This version feels like it’s constantly reacting, trying to fix things instead of confidently telling its own story. It felt like a more natural continuation… instead of a film trying to course correct in real time.

That lack of direction shows up everywhere. The Sith Wayfinder is introduced with no real explanation, as if we’re just expected to accept it. Then you have Snoke being reduced to a clone, which feels like a quick fix rather than a meaningful reveal. Then it escalates even further with the Sith dagger, an idea that completely falls apart the more you think about it, conveniently lining up with the wreckage of the Death Star. And speaking of that wreckage, while it looks incredible, it raises even more questions about how much of it should even exist. The deeper the film goes, the more these decisions start to stack up, and it becomes harder to ignore them.

Despite all that, there are still moments that really work. The film looks incredible, just like the rest of the sequel trilogy. The shot of Rey leaping over Kylo Ren’s ship is brilliant, and their duel across the wreckage of the Death Star is one of the standout sequences in the film. There’s real emotion there, and visually it’s some of the best Star Wars has ever looked.

There are also character moments I really enjoyed. It’s great seeing Billy Dee Williams return as Lando, even if it does make you wish we’d seen all the original characters together one last time. The film also handles Carrie Fisher’s presence with care, using existing footage in a way that still allows Leia to have an impact on the story. And small details, like Chewie finally getting his medal, feel like genuine rewards for long time fans.

At the same time, there are characters who feel underused or mishandled. Rose’s role is noticeably reduced, which feels harsh considering the backlash she faced after the previous film. General Hux, who had a strong presence before, is given very little to do here. And while I like the idea of Finn being Force sensitive, it’s something that should have been developed across the entire trilogy rather than briefly hinted at in the final chapter.

There are also moments where the film doesn’t allow itself to breathe. When Chewie appears to be killed, it’s genuinely shocking, especially with Rey seemingly responsible. But that moment is undone almost immediately, and it loses all of its impact. The same applies to Rey being revealed as a Palpatine. It’s an interesting idea in theory, but in execution, it feels rushed and unnecessary.

That brings me to one of my biggest issues. Rey’s line, “And I am all the Jedi.” It’s clearly trying to be a powerful, defining moment, but it just doesn’t land. It feels forced, especially when you compare it to Avengers: Endgame and Tony Stark’s “I am Iron Man.” That line was earned. This one feels like it’s trying to recreate that moment without putting in the same groundwork.

And yet, despite all of this, I don’t hate the ending. Rey choosing the Skywalker name works for me. It’s not about where you come from, it’s about who you choose to be. Her final moments, along with Ben Solo’s sacrifice, do carry emotional weight, especially given their connection throughout the trilogy. And that final shot, with her new lightsaber, is genuinely cool.

Ultimately, The Rise of Skywalker is a frustrating film. It looks incredible, it has great moments, and there’s a version of this story that really works. But as a conclusion to the Skywalker saga, it feels messy and rushed. It tries to end a saga, but never quite earns the ending it gives.

Standing in Leicester Square that night, it felt like Star Wars was bigger than ever… I just wish the ending matched that feeling.