In the lead roles of Kylo Ren and Rey, Adam Driver and Daisy Ridley deliver the most complex emotional performances of the entire nine-film saga
”. The first entry in George Lucas’s space opera had its premiere in 1977 and became the highest-grossing film in nearly 40 years. Mr Lucas’s second trilogy of films, released from 1999 to 2005, helped make “Star Wars” the most valuable franchise in the film industry at the time. Still, many fans had begun to turn on Mr Lucas. In the 1990s he had made a number of edits to his original films that some argued “ruined” their childhood memories.
This included some who were involved in the franchise. Mark Hamill, the actor who plays Luke, registered his disapproval of Mr Johnson’s story choices in some interviews and on social media. During the media tour for the ninth Skywalker film, “The Rise of Skywalker”, J. J. Abrams, who directed the film as well as “The Force Awakens”, praised the “bold choices” of “The Last Jedi”, but also said he didn’t think “Star Wars” fans want to be told, “this doesn’t matter.
But “The Rise of Skywalker” mostly feels like what “Star Wars” should be. The film is joyful, epic and ultimately moving, specked with moments of humour and humanity. It renders its universe with beautiful visual images, from glaciers and desert planets to violent seascapes and lush forests. The heroes move through the terrain in an inelegant hurry, as the plot too often relies on their racing against the clock to find the next thing .
There is little doubt that Mr Abrams wins that struggle in “The Rise of Skywalker”. Where Mr Johnson pushed boundaries and challenged viewers, Mr Abrams takes few risks. Where Mr Johnson rejected “Star Wars” nostalgia, Mr Abrams unabashedly embraces it. He continues to remix plots, themes and visuals from Mr Lucas.
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