From her introduction in ‘The Force Awakens‘, I’ve always thought Rey was an overpowered Mary Sue character. Her affinity to the Force was just so natural and uncanny that it rivaled Luke Skywalker’s in the original Star Wars trilogy. ‘The Rise of Skywalker’ provides us with the answer as to why this is the case as it brings this beloved 42-year-old space opera to a close.
Though the focus is on Rey, ‘The Rise of Skywalker‘ shows she is not exactly alone in her journey. In fact, the film provides us with so many warm moments that involve new series mainstays, such as Poe Dameron and Finn, to join with Rey while meshing them with characters from earlier episodes of Star Wars. In this, JJ Abrams had the unenviable task of wrapping the story in grand fashion, and he didn’t disappoint.
With the passing of Carrie Fisher, our beloved General/Princess Leia Organa; it was interesting to see how ‘The Rise of Skywalker’ would respond to the untimely loss of one the icons of the Star Wars mythos. However, not only does Leia Organa play an important role in the film; she is also given the sendoff that our princess deserves – one that will delight fans of any generation.
Additionally, we get to see some unrevealed history between Luke and Leia. From there, we can glean as to why Leia made the choices she made that led to her current encounters with Rey. There is a fluid synchronicity in the explanation that gives a lot of fan service for both new and longtime fans.
Speaking of fan service, the romantic tension between Kylo Ren and Rey established in ‘The Last Jedi‘ is highlighted in the film and reaches a tipping point that will make fans of this on-screen pairing giddy. There is a catch to their romantic conclusion, which not many might agree with; but still fits well into the story of ‘The Rise of Skywalker’. This will bring a lot of sighs and tears depending on your particular leanings. Either way, the audience will see Rey and Kylo’s Force connection as a key plot point that further enhances their mysterious bond.
There are some new Force powers introduced in the movie that have not been seen in earlier installments of Star Wars, as well. If you’re a purist, some of these powers might not seem necessary, and might even be downright blasphemous to see. As the story progresses in ‘The Rise of Skywalker’, we get to see their importance in resolving the conclusion of the movie. We also get to see to what extent the powers of both the Dark and Light side can influence the course of an individual’s destiny. The story is all about fulfilling one’s destiny, but one of your own design.
The film shows the difficulty in charting one’s own direction; but reveals that, once the difficulty is overcome, the great reward that follows is well worth it. If you’ve been part of Rey’s journey from ‘The Force Awakens’, you will see how all of her suffering pays off. This will surely inspire others to follow suit in their own heroic lives.
Aside from being able to chart your own destiny, another important message of the film is how to deal with the evils that arise around us. What guides this band of rebels is the hope that good people will not stand to let evil prevail. Furthermore, ‘The Rise of Skywalker’ shows us that no matter how overpowering the evil that arises around us may be, we can rely on each other to push the dark back with the light.
In this battle against evil, hope is a powerful ally that works best in troves rather than the wish of one person. If good people work together, no amount of evil can stand in their way. This is a powerful and timely message that the film stresses till the end.
Overall, ‘The Rise of Skywalker’ is a family film that spans generations just as its characters do. There is a lot for both new and seasoned fans to appreciate, and there are many moments that will make you reflect on how far Star Wars has come from its humble beginnings in a galaxy far, far away.
Even in the end, the Force will always be with us. ‘The Rise of Skywalker’ is now showing in cinemas.
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