Even so, the film does a lot to create original trilogy, failing to outshine signal to the left while knowing a sense of growing camaraderie the true heart and soul of Star Wars. that the irritation it causes social between the characters. With another solid score from conservatives would generate free The underdeveloped friendships composer John William and some publicity on both sides of the North in the trilogy contribute to an overall spectacular visuals, many will find American cultural spectrum in the lack of tension and urgency in The Rise of Skywalker satisfying. In form of thousands of articles and this film. Abrams raises the stakes some significant ways it’s a return to blogs and YouTube videos. in many places, but it’s hard to form and shows greater respect for Disney sounds like it plans to completely embrace the jeopardy or what came before it. Others will find leave the Skywalker story alone worry about the characters because fault with the film’s sheer goofiness: now for the time being, but the of a seeming hollowness in the from the silly scavenger hunt plot, final scene suggests the possibility friendships. As a result some of to the cascading series of plot of continuing the Skywalker saga. the moments along the way feel conveniences, to the puzzling and Fans and casual viewers may unearned. This is, of course, a campy final confrontation between need some time to process the subjective criticism; but audiences Rey and Palpatine, to the awkwardly Disney Star Wars trilogy and how who think on the relationships of the executed Rey/Ben romantic kiss. At it fits into the bigger story. While characters will see that more could times it was almost like Disney said, enjoyable and a great improvement have been done to develop over Johnson’s The Last Jedi, the friendships between Rey, Abrams’ The Rise of Skywalker At times it was almost like Disney feels like a Cliff Notes Star Fin, and Poe, especially when compared to the friendships of Wars manic fever dream—or said, “People liked Avengers: Luke, Leia and Han from the Endgame, let’s do something like maybe something like a Star original trilogy. Ridley, Boyega, comic slapped onto the that,” forgetting that Star Wars is Wars and Isaac do their best with big screen. its own thing. thinly written characters. Disney may at times be In an odd way, Abrams a bit ham-fisted with its succeeds at making a film that nostalgia but it is quite adept feels like those outlandish 1930s “People liked Avengers: Endgame, let’s at nostalgia in general. After all, Flash Gordon serials full of whizdo something like that,” forgetting they’ve built a Magic Kingdom bang effects and cliff hangers which that Star Wars is its own thing. The on it. When Disney thinks the were high on intensity and low on Star Wars moments in The Rise of Skywalker saga will be profitable character development and real Skywalker are good, like chocolate again, audiences should be prepared drama. Lucas on the other hand, chips, but they are like chocolate for another ‘Rise of Skywalker.’ while inspired by those early sci-fi chips in a chocolate chip cookie. serials, rose above them because he There is just a lot of additional stuff injected true drama and—by the crammed into this manic madcap end of his trilogy—well-rounded film about which fans will disagree. characters, in effect elevating the Then there is the lesbian kiss. entire genre. With Abrams and The film includes a superfluous, Disney, the closest they come to this yet calculated, lesbian kiss between elevation is with the redemption of two unimportant characters—so Ben Solo, which is positioned as a superfluous it can (and has) been easily B-plot in The Rise of Skywalker. By cut for release in Muslim countries contrast, the redemption of Anakin without harming any aspect of the plot. Skywalker in The Return of the Jedi Designed as a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it through the persistent hope of his moment in the celebratory conclusion, son Luke overshadows Emperor it comes across as quintessential Palpatine’s continued desire for pandering—evidence that Disney galactic dominion in that film, doesn’t really care about, or has little making his redemption narrative to no actual conviction, concerning the the true A-plot of the original trilogy. LGBTQ social movement. If it did, the Perhaps the distinction between studio would have suffered the film to the two trilogies is a good thing. be banned in countries opposing sameRev. Ted Giese is lead pastor of Mount Olive Lutheran Church, Regina; a contributor to The Disney trilogy, and Lucas’ own sex relationships rather than cutting LCMS Reporter; and movie reviewer for the prequel trilogy, even with their the scene. “Issues, Etc.” radio program. For more of his advanced special effects and CGI, Taken cynically, we might suggest movie reviews, check out the Movie Review must respectfully bow to Lucas’ that the kiss is included to virtueIndex at: www.lutheran-church-regina.com.
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THE CANADIAN LUTHERAN January/February 2020
