The surviving Resistance faces the First Order once more in the final chapter of the Skywalker saga.
Fan service has become synonymous with big-budget filmmaking these days. Instead of primarily focusing on putting together a grand, original narrative, studios rely on our familiarity with legendary characters and then string together sequences designed to pull at our nostalgic heartstrings, with a minimum of innovation. The trend is indirectly proportional: as special effects and scopes become larger, genial poignancy and artistic vision shrink considerably. Such was the case with, say, Tim Burton’s “Dumbo” and Rob Marshall’s “Mary Poppins Returns.” Such is, sadly, the case with J.J. Abrams’ bombastic conclusion to the Skywalker saga, “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.”
I expected more from the visionary director, who jump-started the new trilogy in the first place. I found myself perplexed at how genuinely dull it’s all become: the constant appearances of beloved characters, meant to evoke “woos!” in the audience; the Easter egg references to the original trilogy; the “piu-piu-piu” of the lasers blowing spaceship after spaceship; the glowering close-ups of our heroes’ tortured faces, all sound and fury signifying so little. Yes, I know, it’s the Rise of the Next Skywalker, which is a Huge Deal. I also know that most “Star Wars” fans are busy disseminating me in their mind right now for the blasphemous words I write. So be it.
As there are Mickey Mouse-shaped rifles currently pointed at me, I cannot reveal much of the plot. Nor would I want to spoil it for the ardent fans out there, itching to watch it, and rewatch it, and each time leap up and down in their seats with joy at all the Big Reveals. Let’s see: I can assuredly state that Rey (Daisy Ridley), after training under the tutelage of a holographic Carrie Fisher (may she rest in peace), discovers her dark origins — which makes Rey her own worst enemy, in a way. I’m also quite confident that it’s okay to reveal that Adam Driver’s Kylo Ren continues to mope, balancing on the fence between Light and The Dark Side. He may even attempt to lure Rey in with him.
In the meantime, Poe (Oscar Isaac) and Finn (John Boyega) are now a wise-cracking duo who, along with C-3PO (Anthony Daniels) and BB-8 (Dave Chapman) and a few others, assist Rey in her quest in fighting The First Order. Sheev Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) threatens to become the most powerful entity in the universe. There are numerous face-offs and action set-pieces, of course. The new Skywalker may, or may not, be revealed at the end. By now you may, or may not, know who it is.
The standout bits involve a touching sequence involving a certain, um, operation being performed on C-3PO. It wouldn’t be a “Star Wars” film without some sort of market set-piece, and the one here — a colorful festival that occurs every 40 years or so — is beautifully staged. The one truly memorable battle involves Rey and Kylo crossing sabers on a bridge that’s intermittently swept by tsunami-like waves.
What I certainly did not respond to was the uncanny use of Carrie Fisher’s archival footage to insert the recently-deceased actress into the film. When she and Rey speak, or especially hug, something is just OFF. It’s not quite RIGHT. Ms. Fisher’s eyes lack the spark they once used to, but it’s also like she’s only half-responding to the actual inquiries posed to her. It’s not dissimilar to going to a Tupac concert and watching the “reincarnated” artist/hologram perform greatest hits. There’s a distinct morbid whiff about it, no matter how positive the intentions may have been. One egregious flashback, in which two de-aged, pixelated faces are revealed, left the theater in stunned silence.
Despite appearing in some of this year’s more ambitious projects (“Marriage Story,” “The Report,” “The Dead Don’t Die”), the mystery of Adam Driver still eludes me. I’m not saying the guy’s not talented, I just think his range is rather limited, and, well, bravo to his agent. The man who once chased after Lena Dunham in crummy New York apartments now wins over the heart of Scarlett Johansson and squares off against Daisy Ridley. Dunham, on the other hand, is in a mediocre HBO series that (I believe) is about to be canceled. Where’s the justice, folks?
Boyega, as charming as he was in “Attack the Block,” makes for a bland hero. You tell me: what makes Finn so extraordinary, so unlike the millions of others well-meaning fighters for justice on celluloid? Domnhall Gleeson, a terrific actor, continues to chew scenery as the traitorous General Hux. I expected so much out of Billy Dee Williams reprising his role as Lando Calrissian — but his extended cameo left me underwhelmed, to say the least.
Rey (Daisy Ridley) and Poe (Oscar Isaac) form the heart of this Star Wars trilogy. Ridley has really grown into her role, embodying the torn hero, both resolute and insecure, afraid and determined. They’re not necessarily the “deepest” of emotions, but she plays them well. Poe harks back to the rascal heroes of yore: mischievous, flirty, with a good heart and a daredevil spirit. It’s as if he stepped right out of the 1980s, in very much a good way.
The rest, to me, consisted of studio bigwigs using The Force to tie all the knots neatly, squeeze tears (along with some giggles and awws), and consequently sell a universe-worth of merchandise. It’s J.J. Abrams, so it’s a solidly-made blockbuster, with beautiful cinematography, sound design, special effects and carefully-made creatures of all kinds. It just made me doze off at points. It just never made my jaw drop open in awe. It’s just a sub-par “Star Wars” film.
In Theaters Friday, December 20th
