Review | Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker film review – Episode IX’s electric romp through galaxy and series’ history will bring tears to your eyes
- Old friends and foes return for finale of sci-fi saga that began 42 years ago – The Emperor Palpatine, Luke Skywalker, Lando Calrissian, and, yes, Princess Leia
- J.J. Abrams is back as director and the pace is electric as Rey, Finn and Poe Dameron lead the fight against the First Order in scene after action-packed scene
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4.5/5 stars
Some 42 years in the making, the Star Wars saga is finally at an end. Episode IX, The Rise of Skywalker, sees the return of some old friends – not least J.J. Abrams, back as director – and some old foes.
The Resistance has learned that the Emperor is amassing a new army on a hidden planet not present on any star maps, and so Rey (Daisy Ridley), Finn (John Boyega) and Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) set out to find and destroy him.
What follows is a high-speed romp through the galaxy, as our heroes look to outwit Ren and the evil leaders of the First Order. Early on, they’re reunited with the roguish Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams), last seen downing the second Death Star.
As glimpsed in the trailer, the wreck of that battle station has a part to play in The Rise of Skywalker; indeed, given the Herculean task Abrams has in wrapping up the series, he and co-writer Chris Terrio draw strength from the Star Wars universe wherever possible, aided by a chorus of past voices.
Continuing the themes of sacrifice and sins of the father, Rey’s search for her own origins takes centre stage. Rest assured, you won’t be disappointed.
Yet amid the frenetic space battles, there are some real catch-your-breath moments that will leave fans both moved and thrilled.
Among the newcomers, Richard E. Grant is fabulous as the First Order’s General Pryde, but it’s the original stars that really make this finale. The late Carrie Fisher’s appearance as Leia (via unused footage from Abrams’ earlier Star Wars effort, The Force Awakens ) is tinged with sadness.
Likewise Mark Hamill’s return as Luke Skywalker, the farm boy who found his inner Jedi Knight. By the end, as the twin suns set on cinema’s greatest ever sci-fi series, it’s near-impossible to hold back the tears.
