Jamie Hilliard

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I was looking forward to loving this movie. We wanted an epic end to an epic saga. What we got was a good movie that does not fit as a Star Wars episode. It did deliver large scale scenes and held true to some franchise themes. Hope, sacrifice, redemption, bravery, friendship, things we all love about Star Wars. On it's own or even as the end of a trilogy, it could be a great movie. HOWEVER, being within the overall franchise it departs too far from the arc of episodes 1-6. Small deviations to the story are ok with me, it renews interest. Yet this seemed to ignore too much of the primary story, while forcing in elements that didn't belong. Themes that seemed discarded or reinterpreted were the prophecy of the one, the role of Anakin Skywalker, and the role of those who have become one with the force. Perhaps we could accept that Anakin along with other Jedi used Rey as a vessel and she then was able to defeat Palpatine, something only Anakin, not even yoda had previously done. Maybe this keeps the prophecy in tact?? If this is the case I think it was a missed opportunity to do more visually with Anakin, and others as force ghosts supporting not just Rey, but also Ben destroying Palpatine. Either way is a departure because back when Luke faced Vader Obi Wan told him he wasn't able to help, so why is it that he and others are able to help Rey face Palpatine? I do like that Ben displays a mythical level of power, that even Anakin was obsessed with, in being able to bring Rey back. In doing so sacrifices himself, which would have been a noble way to end the Skywalker story, a selfless sacrifice like others had done before him. Without Rey's help Ben would have never been redeemed, without Ben's redemption Rey would have lost to Palpatine, so in my opinion the Rise of Skywalker should mean Ben, redeemed, victorious with Rey, sacrifices himself for her, and this should be the end of the Skywalker story. Rey should not have taken the Skywalker name. Unnecessary. She found she was a good person, so the name itself becomes less important. The film also doesn't give enough acknowledgment to the selflessness of her parents dying to protect her, which in of itself could be enough for her not to abandon her parents name, despite it being shared with an evil grandfather. By the way how does a Sith lord have a son who turns out good? One of several things not explained. One of the best elements of the film was the redemption of Ben Solo. Adam Driver does well and the story draws parallels with the redemption of Anakin. Another missed opportunity to bring back Anakin that could have made this better. Wouldn't it have been better if instead of Han speaking to him, it was Anakin? Makes sense logically since Anakin is actually one with the force, but on top of that he had struggled with the same conflicts. Also, it was Vader's mantle that Kylo Ren was trying to live up to. This would have made this element better and true to the saga. They could have done something else to acknowledge Solo as a large figure in this franchise. I like that we have new characters to route for. Among them Rey who holds her own as a powerful force user. Still, they could have accomplished the nod to the old generation while still handing off the baton to the new in a way that kept the overall story arc intact and made more sense. Perhaps the expectations were so high there would have inevitably been some disappointed fans. Although for Marvel, Endgame also had high expectations, yet they managed to satisfy fans with a quality film to cap off the story. Sadly this was not the case for Star Wars which is treasured by many. Sorry this happened to you Star Wars, you deserved better.