Dissapointing ending of an epic and culturally important cinematic saga

Rating: 5/10 (20 April 2020)

It's time, the overarching storyline of "Star Wars" now known as the "Skywalker Saga", that started back in 1977, has come to an end almost 45 years later. It should go out with a bang, celebrating what has made "Star Wars" a staple in popular culture, and a pinnacle in the science fiction genre, but instead, it exits on a low note, more focused on satisfying needs of space ship battles and action scenes, rather than believing the loyal fans of the franchise could handle a compelling story. The upsides of Episode IX, "The Rise of Skywalker" are few; the Resistance has a final shot against the First Order, and Kylo Ren (Driver) who gets some help from Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid). Daisy Ridley returns as Rey, with John Boyega and Oscar Isaac's parts as Finn and Poe reduced to fun, supporting characters, although they never beat C-3PO and Chewbacca. What "Star Wars: Episode IX" does best is technical aspects, the CGI is sublime, so are prosthetics, costumes and other visual effects. As always in the space opera franchise, the setting and memorable aliens, are some of the most entertaining parts, but what the original trilogy - and the very first movie especially - did, which the sequel trilogy never does, is telling an emotional story of family, friends, loyalty, and good against evil. Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher (who has scenes recorded for the film before her death), are, as always, nice to see, even their capacity is limited, and yes, the film is overall an entertaining experience, but once again, visually only. It had the opportunities to make some emotional impact on its audience through the scenes of Rey and Kylo, and Ridley and Driver has a good chemistry, but as with most other things in this movie, their scenes and plot line are rushed, feeling more like a tease of what the filmmakers could have explored in terms of family and relationships. With "The Rise of the Skywalker", the grand "Skywalker Saga" ends on a note indifferent to everything the marvelous space opera once meant to so many fans worldwide.