Star Wars Rise of Skywalker Movie Review

Have they been beating a dead horse for too long?

How Many Star Wars Movies are there anyway? 

And Other Questions Answered!

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Review by Marcus Moliterno

Rise of Skywalker is the ninth episode in the Skywalker Saga. This movie is touted to be the final chapter of what started out as a trilogy 42 years ago. Many people wonder how many Star Wars movies are there anyway, and I will answer that below, but I will also review the final installment of the Star Wars series.

Love it or hate it – it is finally over! (Does anyone really believe that?) But is the Rise of Skywalker even worth seeing?

Synopsis of Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker

This final chapter tries to end the sequel trilogy and the entire movie in a coherent and fulfilling way. The Resistance was on the verge of being destroyed in the last movie, Star Wars: The Last Jedi which ended with Luke disappearing and Rey increasing in powers because of this.

RoS begins on the Millenium Falcon piloted by Chewbacca, Poe Damron, and Finn on a mission to gain information from the First Order. Rey is undergoing training by Leia at the Resistance Base to become a Jedi. The Force connection established in The Last Jedi between Rey and Kylo Ren is a major plot device to have their characters interact.

Cameo appearances are made by some of the past characters who are no longer with us.

What I liked about this movie:

C-3PO stole the show with his humor. Furthermore, Chewbacca is lovable as always. D-O, voiced by J.J. Abrams, is an enjoyable side character.

What I hated about this movie:

Much of what occurs in this movie, is covering up the mistakes of the Last Jedi such as explaining the Holdo Maneuver.  Additionally, this movie has forced drama and tries to repeat the story of Star Wars Episode 6. The inclusion of Emperor Palpatine does not help the storyline. I actually believe that it ruined the series by basically destroying Darth Vader’s redemption arc.

HOW MANY STAR WARS MOVIES ARE THERE ANYWAY?

This is an easy question to answer if you are talking about theatrical release movies. There have been 9 movies in the Star Wars Skywalker Saga, two anthology movies, and one animated movie.

Original Trilogy:

Star Wars IV: A New Hope – May 25, 1977

Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back – May 21, 1980

Star Wars VI: Return of the Jedi – May 25, 1983

Prequel Trilogy:

Episode 1: The Phantom Menace – May 19, 1999

Episode II: Attack of the Clones – May 16, 2002

Episode III: Revenge of the Sith – May 19, 2005

Sequel Trilogy:

Episode VII: The Force Awakens – December 18, 2015

Episode VII: The Last Jedi – December 15, 2017

Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker: December 20, 2019

Anthology Films:

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story – December 16, 2016

Sola: A Star Wars Story – May 25, 2018

Other Theatrical Releases:

Star Wars: The Clone Wars (Animated) – August 15, 2008

 

RECOMMENDATIONS

While many Star Wars fans rally around anything that is produced with the Star Wars name, I don’t feel it is deserving of the recognition that it has gained. I do not recommend this movie for anyone under the age of 13. While I know that I am a teen myself, I understand that constant exposure to violence is not healthy.

My mom asked if Jack-Jack (my younger autistic brother) if he was scared during the movie. My response was, “It scared me.” Overall, this movie was unexpectedly traumatically devastating – cause that’s how you describe something when you are a teen.