victoria shymlosky

In a galaxy far far away, Star Wars episode IX is the thrilling epic sci-fi saga of good versus evil, and the archetypal heroes' journey. Some major themes are tragedy, triumph, love, sacrifice and redemption. A variety of characters, creatures, aliens and droids inhabit these worlds. Leia, Luke Skywalker and Han Solo appear and play transformative roles. The lead characters Rey and Kylo Ren/Ben Solo (dual persona) have an electrifying chemistry and their destinies, fates are intertwined. They are stark opposites, a Force Dyad, soulmates from different bloodlines. There is an ironic twist to their lineage but their chosen paths are due to personal choices. They both have to face their past origins. Rey is the protagonist, a Jedi Knight; noble, tough, compassionate, brave, loyal to her friends and the Resistance. Kylo Ren is the antagonist, a power hungry, dangerous Dark Knight and Supreme Leader of First Order. Their bond connection started from Force Awakens and intensifies. Kylo Ren's obsessive quest is to follow his grandfather Darth Vader's path which takes him to Mustafar. Both search for the wayfinder to Exegol. Kylo chases Rey relentlessly across the galaxy trying to get her to be his partner on the dark side. They fight each other on the psychological, emotional, physical and supernatural levels. The ghoulish Emperor Palpatine, Sith Overlord has revealed his evil plans for galactic domination. The Resistance can't believe he is back. Beaumont Kin states: "dark science...cloning...secrets only the Sith knew." Rey and her crew of friends on the Millennium Falcon head out to Paasana. They experience the Festival of the Ancestors, a 42 year celebration which references the legacy of the Star Wars Films. The Hermit, Lando Calrissian incognito is reunited with his buddy Chewbacca and helps them. BB-8 is a droid not to be underestimated. Rey finds a Sith dagger which leads her to discover her true parents' demise. She reveals her greater Force knowledge, powers and abilities; coupled with her strong survival skills but is being tested and provoked by her nemesis. The core of the story is existential angst involving each of the main characters' journeys and key questions from their past origins, choices and future. Poe meets Zori Bliss and his shady past is revealed on Kijimi. Babu Frik works on C3 PO who loses his memory but it is restored by his friend R2 D2. Finn meets Jannah another former ex-storm trooper turned Rebel Leader and discovers that the First Order take children to be soldiers. Her Orbak Tribe join their cause. At the crisis point, Rey and Kylo Ren meet on the ruins of Death Star, on the Moon Kef Bir to have a final duel to the death or rebirth. Rey encounters a vision of her evil doppelganger as a Sith. Kylo/Ben is redeemed by his parents love and Rey's Force healing him, a cathartic moment. She leaves for Ach-To distraught where Luke's Force Ghost guides Rey. He provides her Leia's lightsaber and reveals a Jedi prophecy. Rey and Ben, a Dyad in the Force reunite to fight the demonic Sheev Palpatine, Darth Sidious and his Sith Army. The past Jedi support Rey in her final steps. Ben loves Rey and sacrifices himself to save her. The ultimate climatic battle between the Sith Eternal Star Destroyers and Resistance fighters plus their allies will determine which side wins at Exegol. There are cameos of characters from the past Star Wars Trilogies. In the denouement, Rey goes to Tatooine to pay homage to Leia and Luke Skywalker where the story began long ago. There is a balance in the force. Peace has been restored to the galaxy. May the Force be with you.

A compelling film that provides the backstory to Han Solo as a roguish young man full of adventure and intrigue. We learn about how he meets Chewbacca and they become friends after a harrowing escape from imprisonment and possible death.

The spectacular VIII Episode of the sequel expands on the Star Wars saga liken to a Shakespearean Tragedy. There are multiple interwoven narratives, challenges, conflicts, themes of love, betrayal, sacrifice, war and death involving the key characters in the movie. A major theme is summed up by the quote by Lord Acton: power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. The Republic has been destroyed by the Starkiller weapon. The Resistance Fleet have vacated D'Qar and are being ruthlessly pursued by the First Order. Kylo Ren is berated and punished by his sinister Master Snoke for his compassion towards the scavenger. General Leia ship Raddus sustained significant damage and she is in a coma. Vice Admiral Holdo is put in charge and Poe Cameron challenges her leadership. She orders the evacuation of all personnel on transports. He secretly sends Finn, Rose and BB-8 on a dangerous mission to Cantonica, Canto Bight a playground of the super rich and weapons dealers to find a hacker who can help them disable the Supremacy's tracking device. Rey takes the Millennium Falcon to Ahch-To, the original Jedi Temple to meet the Master Jedi Luke Skywalker and asks for his support for the Resistance. He is a reclusive hermit/sage and refuses to take back his lightsaber. Rey asks for his help since she is a identity seeking Force sensitive. Luke agrees to train her as a Jedi and teach her about the nature of the Force, energy and universe. The teachings are similar to Western and Eastern Mysticism with the Prime Jedi being in balance, harmony and unity between the opposites of Light and Dark, a Yin Yang Principle. Luke's disillusionment with the Jedi and despondency is due to his failure to prevent Leia and Han's son, Ben Solo his student from being corrupted by Snoke and falling to the Dark Side. He explains to Rey about the destruction of his Jedi school and other pupils. He senses that she is as powerful as Ben and drawn to the dark side. Kylo Ren, the alter ego of Ben Solo and Rey establish a strong emotional bond through the Force with their increasingly seductive long distance communications. Initially she despises him, calls him a monster but becomes curious. He is fascinated by her. Rey becomes aware of his pain, internal conflicted soul and his true self. He confides that Luke his former Jedi Master feared his power and was going to kill him. An attraction develops between them based on their shared loneliness and intimacy. She is convinced that she can redeem him to the Light side and takes off to the Supremacy. Luke is visited by his Grand Master Yoda and reminded that failure is a great teacher. Kylo Ren/Ben brings Rey before Supreme Leader Snoke but kills him instead. He begs her to join him and she refuses. Rey is heartbroken, leaves and their bond is shattered because Kylo assumes the role of Supreme Leader. The beleaguered Resistance retreats to Crait. At the Battle of Crait, they are out numbered by the Massive War Machinery of the First Order. In a final confrontation, Kylo Ren and his uncle Luke duel. Luke's Force projection buys time for the Resistance; his sister Leia, Poe, Finn, Rose and other remaining fighters to escape. Luke tells Kylo that the War has only begun. The Jedi Rey joins them in the Falcon to provide fire power and free her friends from the base. Luke sacrifices himself and becomes one with the Force. Kylo and Rey share a last Force connection and she closes the door on him. Kylo Ren has made a Faustian bargain on his path to be like Darth Vader. He loses his chance to be with his family and Rey as symbolized by the vanishing gold dice he held in his hands which belonged to his father.

I saw the Star Wars Episode VII years ago which is part of the exciting sequel trilogy. It was an amazing movie in the context of the larger mythology, sci fi saga, space opera. The cinematography was filmed in beautiful real life locations around the world. The story begins after the Galatic Civil War and the rise of the totalitarian militaristic dictatorship of First Order. I was impressed by the ensemble of cast which was more inclusive and diverse. We meet the many key characters; Poe Dameron, a brave fighter pilot for the Republic on a dangerous mission to find a map and location of the missing Jedi Master Luke Skywalker at the behest of Leia Organa the leader of the Resistance. He is saved by storm trooper deserter, he calls Finn when he is captured and tortured by First Order. Kylo Ren is the main antagonist and villainous dark side user of the Force. He is the leader of the Knights of Ren who are brutal enforcers for the regime. He serves his master Supreme Leader Snoke who also wants to find Luke and kill him. I was really glad to see so many women in key roles playing and representing characters that were leaders, military officers, fighter pilots, mechanics, intelligence officers and more. One of main heroes or heroine is a young woman; Rey who embodies the warrior archetype. She is tough, lonely, feisty and resourceful who has mechanical and piloting skills. Rey is a scavenger who manages to survive in a extreme harsh environment on Jakku. She represents the "fool" a Parsifal type figure propelled into a dangerous epic adventure. She finds a BB 8 droid and meets Finn the storm trooper defector who escapes the First Order and tells her he is a resistance fighter. Soon they escape on the Millennium Falcon after being attacked. They meet Han Solo a legend as Rey calls him and his partner Chewbacca. He explains why Luke went into hiding due to the destruction of his Jedi school and pupils because of his star Padawan turning to the dark side. They go to Takodana to meet Maz Kanata a pirate and wise force sensitive at her castle. Maz thinks there is something unusual about the girl. Rey is drawn to the basement of the castle and finds Anakin/Luke's light saber, a talisman since it is calling her to it. When she touches it she has a series of visions from the Jedi past and herself as a child plus it foreshadows her future. She sees Kylo Ren who notices her and her future confrontation with him. Maz finds Rey and tells her indirectly that her parents are not coming back but someone will. Rey realizes she will go to meet Luke. The First Order tracks the rebels down and destroys the castle. Rey is captured by Kylo Ren and the others escape. He interrogates her using his mind probe but activates her Force abilities on Starkiller Base. She fights him mentally and realizes he is a insecure young man who wants to be as strong as Darth Vader. Kylo is unnerved by her and seeks his master Stoke's help. Rey escapes and Kylo destroys the interrogation room with his explosive temper. Han, Chewbacca and Finn go on a mission to destroy the Starkiller and save Rey. Han reunited with his wife goes to redeem his son Kylo Ren/Ben Solo. Kylo kills his father but is injured by Chewbacca. He ends up chasing Rey and Finn. A battle ensues and Finn is injured. Kylo Ren tries to take the Jedi saber but it flies to Rey to his astonishment. They duel and at one point he tells her he can be her teacher but she calls to the Force and defeats him. She gives him a scar. Rey and her friends escape the Starkiller Base as it is breaking up. They go to meet General Leia of the Resistance who mourns the death of her husband Han. Rey seeks Luke for help.