So it ends, the Skywalker R2-D2/C-3PO Saga. My blog has been Star Wars themed lately, building up to The Rise of Skywalker. The sequel trilogy in general is quite an odd one. Obviously, the problem is there's no consistent creative vision. They didn't have a story worked out before the trilogy began, and it shows. Say what you will about the prequel trilogy, but it was remarkably consistent. Give one man too much influence, and you end up with the prequel trilogy. On the other hand, the sequel trilogy is definitely a case of too many cooks spoiling the broth. The original trilogy struck the right balance. Obviously, George Lucas was the creator, showrunner and had his toes dipped in every aspect of the production. But also, he was wise enough to hire multiple directors and writers for each of the three films to keep his vision in check.
Disney threw out Lucas' reportedly ambitious and innovative outline for the sequel trilogy, and hired Mr. Safe himself, JJ Abrams, to take on The Force Awakens. What resulted was a wonderful nostalgia trip, but ultimately a somewhat clinical - some would argue cynical - remix of previous films with plenty of fan service designed. Rian Johnson was a very interesting choice for The Last Jedi - a director known to have built a career on subverting expectations. Amazingly, he delivered just that, a subversive indie movie masquerading as Star Wars. The critics loved it, but understandably, a lot of die-hard fans were pissed off. With The Rise of Skywalker, they are going back to the formulaic fan service from The Force Awakens.
Let's get this out of the way - The Rise of Skywalker doesn't even feel like a film following The Last Jedi. It feels like a completely alternate universe fan fiction. It's quite a mess, full of retcons and far-fetched suspension of disbelief. Every scene is basically pure formula, everything resolves in the most obvious manner of least resistance. Like The Force Awakens, it's basically another remix. It's a dull, unimaginative film that feels designed by committee rather than people passionate with a unique vision.
That sounds scathing, yes, but you know what? It excels at what it set out to do - an unabashed victory lap of everything Star Wars, bringing the saga to a satisfying close. Once you accept it for what it is, it's a thrilling, emotional ride that leverages the emotional capital and nostalgia built up for some over decades to great effect.
The Rise of Skywalker is both a mediocre movie and a satisfying conclusion to the arguably the most beloved saga in the history of cinema. Make of that what you will. I hope we get to hear what Lucas had planned for the sequel trilogy, though. In my heart, that'll be the real sequel trilogy, and not these three pieces of flawed fan fiction.