SPOILER WARNING: This review contains very mild spoilers forStar Wars: Rise of Skywalker
Lucasfilm
Rey, Finn, Poe, Chewbacca (Joonas Suotamo), BB-8 and C-3P0 set out to find and destroy the source of the First Order’s power. Meanwhile Kylo Ren, who happens upon damaging information about Rey’s past, is hot on their trail and seeking to convince Rey to embrace the dark side before he’s forced to destroy her altogether.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.Lucasfilm Ltd.
One major highlight is the touching sendoff to Carrie Fisher’s Princess Leia. Using extra footage from the beloved actress’ final performance before her death in 2016,Skywalkergives the star and her character several key shining moments — including one with her daughter, actressBillie Lourd. The return of Billy Dee Williams’ Lando Calrissian also makes for a fun addition, along with several other cameos to look out for.
Daisy Ridley (L) and Carrie Fisher inStar Wars:The Rise of Skywalker.Lucasfilm Ltd.
Newcomers to theStar Warsuniverse include Jannah, (Naomi Ackie), Zorii Bliss (Keri Russell), a figure from Poe’s past and Allegiant General Pryde (Richard E. Grant), a First Order officer, each of whom have memorable character moments that make a difference in the story. However, it’s Ridley’s Rey and Driver’s Kylo Ren that anchor it all and deliver the most emotionally-charged performances.
Episode IXprovides definitive conclusions to several plot points laid out in bothForce AwakensandTheLast Jedi, but also raises several surprising questions as it does so. And although the franchise is built upon crowd-pleasing action sequences and space travel and the legacy of The Force, etc., this film is strongest in the smaller moments and emotional connections between beloved characters, which can always use further exploration and attention.
Star Wars: Rise of Skywalkeropens in theaters Dec. 20.
source: people.com
