Constant backtracking on plot points, and an over reliance on nostalgia keep Episode 9 of the Star Wars Saga from ever having its own true identity.
The Upside:
If there’s one thing that The Rise of Skywalker does well, it’s fan service. Constant nods to the original trilogy and the return of classic characters will satisfy a lot of Star Wars fans. Much like the past films, the action can be exciting and awe inspiring at times, and there are some great new characters that are introduced. New force powers are intriguing and forge a new path, and the final few shots are fantastic.
The Downside:
Where the fan service can be a positive to Star Wars fans, it also steps on the feet of the previous films in the new trilogy and completely destroys the continuity, making for a lackluster finale to the new characters’ arcs. The story is also incredibly lacking. Logic and sense are thrown out the window and the shallow story opts to simply show the audience one unimportant thing after another. The frantic pace makes each piece of the film incomprehensible and lacking any emotion or character.
The Verdict: C-
While die hard fans of the Star Wars Universe will probably still enjoy Rise of Skywalker, it truly fails to stand on its own as a well told story. A lack of its own identity and too much reliance on fan service keep it from matching the level of care and thought that were put into the entries before it.
The High Point: Babu Frick
The Low Point: The inexplicable return of the emperor/the story in general.
FlickFix 