The Death of Star Wars

Rating: 3/10 (20 December 2019)

While watching Episode IX, I couldn't help but think of Game Of Thrones Season 8 so I guess you know where I am going with this. The Last Jedi knocked out the Star Wars franchise and as it tried to stand up, it got smashed into oblivion by a meteor that is The Rise of Skywalker. The film is utter chaos which feels like 20 writers and directors were tasked with ticking a set of boxes so they made their own small movies and then jammed them all into one big Disney fairytale for one purpose only and that is to make money.
All the mysteries and lore of the Star Wars universe created over the first 6 movies got demolished in favor of convenience, hype, money and corporate entertainment. The mysterious force that balances the universe became some kind of magic that works according to the plot of this movie while contradicting itself within the same scenes. Lightsabers turned from mystical weapons to all purpose utility tools.
The plot somehow manages to be both predictable and nonsensical at the same time where events are just spat out at the audience. There is no build up or connection to previous films and things just happen inexplicably with characters aquiring incredible backstories and powers within minutes. I admit there was one great duel and one emphatic moment but that doesn't save anything.
The only thing holding this flimsy trilogy together is Rey who got all kinds of prophecies bestowed upon her only to end up being chewed up in the process. After 3 movies I can't manage to feel sympathy towards any other character as they have no chemistry, charisma or spirit. Kylo Ren pretends to be Vader 2.0 but everytime he takes off his mask he loses the tiny particle of intimidation that he has.
Despite portraying itself as a dark episode by bringing back Palpatine and having an impressive imperial fleet, the movie still fails to create an atmosphere of impending doom that could be felt during Episodes V and III.
Fan servicing is special when used occasionally to create a certain feeling. Here it is used to plug in every available hole. Nothing feels real or organic whether it is the characters or events. It might be The Rise of Skywalker but it was The Death of Star Wars.
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