Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker - Here Are Critics' First Reactions
The first Rise of Skywalker reactions are here.
The latest Star Wars movie--and the final entry in the Skywalker saga--is finally here. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker hits theaters on December 20, although the first public showings in the US come on the night of Thursday December 19. Episode 9 sees Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Adam Driver, and Oscar Isaac reprising the roles that they previously played in The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi. The movie has screened for critics, and while full reviews aren't here yet, we do have the first reactions on Twitter. [Update: The embargo has lifted, and our Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker review is now live.]
Just walked out of #TheRiseOfSkywalker and I can say without reservation that it is a nightmare. Buckle up y'all, this week is going to be..........ugh pic.twitter.com/VAy5RF3qHh
— Mike Rougeau (@RogueCheddar) December 17, 2019
Other opinions are more positive. There is considerable praise for director JJ Abrams, who also directed The Force Awakens. Slashfilm's Peter Sciretta stated that Abrams brings "a cohesive arc to this trilogy that feels like a fitting end to the saga as a whole," while Filmspeak's Griffin Schiller said that "JJ's energy is all over this thing."
#StarWarsRiseofSkywalker reaction: JJ Abrams nailed it. He was able to bring a cohesive arc to this trilogy that feels like a fitting end to the saga as a whole. I’m so emotionally drained. Star Wars fans will be very happy.
— Peter Sciretta (@PeterSciretta) December 17, 2019
Man does #TheRiseOfSkwalker MOVE. This film hits the ground running & doesn’t let up. JJ’s energy is all over this thing. A Last Crusade style adventure. The bromance between Poe & Finn steals the film. Felt a bit more concerned w/plot than character, tad rushed, good not great. pic.twitter.com/S4tbDhXG35
— Griffin Schiller (@griffschiller) December 17, 2019
One thing that the critics are all united on is the huge scale of the movie. Fandango's Erik Davis described it as "a terrific finale that is just stuffed with so much of everything," and The Wrap's Yolanda Machado said it is "everything and nothing that you're expecting," while Variety's stated that "there's so much movie in this movie."
Epic. All of it. #TheRiseofSkywalker is a terrific finale that is just stuffed with so much of everything. Action, adventure — answers!! — humor, heart, love, and grit. I spent the entire second half with tears in my eyes - a wonderful way to end the Skywalker story pic.twitter.com/K2NhHSGWzM
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) December 17, 2019
So, I'm not too surprised and at times I felt too much fan service was given, but #TheRiseofSkywalker is everything and nothing that you're expecting.
— Yolanda Machado (@SassyMamainLA) December 17, 2019
So I guess what my immediate reaction is: God I love this franchise and I'll miss the Skywalker saga.
I’m gonna need a minute to digest #StarWarsTheRiseofSkywalker. There’s so much movie in this movie. But its best moments are the quietest and most human. Giving this more of a think, though.
— Adam B. Vary (@adambvary) December 17, 2019
Some critics addressed the issue of how The Rise of Skywalker compared to Rian Johnson's The Last Jedi, which very much divided audiences with some of its story choices. The consensus seems to be that those who didn't like that previous movie will find more to enjoy. ABC's Clayton Sandell said that the film "gives a whole new appreciation for The Last Jedi," while the New York Times's Kyle Buchanan joked that the movie "could only have been ruder to Rian Johnson if they had motion-smoothed it."
Wow. Wow. Wow. #TheRiseOfSkywalker delivers. So much happens in this film it’s hard to get my head around. But it gets this epic ending right. So right. JJ Abrams and team nails it. And gives a whole new appreciation for The Last Jedi in the process. Please avoid sppolers!
— Clayton Sandell (@Clayton_Sandell) December 17, 2019
RISE OF SKYWALKER could only have been ruder to Rian Johnson if they had motion-smoothed it
— Kyle Buchanan (@kylebuchanan) December 17, 2019
However, not everyone was filled with praise for the movie. Some critics criticised the amount of fan-service and admitted that not everything works. Critic Scott Menzel described it as a "collective hodgepodge of all Star Wars films combined," and Uproxx's Mike Ryan stated that "the first half gets so bogged down with exposition and new plot... it feels like it should have been three movies on its own." In addition, Cinemablend's Eric Eisenberg said there "are a number of choices that just don't track, fan service that doesn't work, and ignored details that are missed."
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is the ultimate Star Wars Movie for Star Wars fans who want more of the same. Its 100% fan service & a collective hodgepodge of all Star Wars films combined. It didn’t work for me but fans of Force Awakens are going to love it. #RiseofSkywalker pic.twitter.com/RkVEb0a07X
— Scott Menzel (@TheOtherScottM) December 17, 2019
STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER is certainly the most convoluted Star Wars. There is a lot I liked, but the first half gets so bogged down with exposition and new plot and doodads and beacons and transmitters, it feels like it should have been three movies on its own.
— Mike Ryan (@mikeryan) December 17, 2019
There is good in Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker. But there is more that is disappointing. There are a number of choices that just don't track, fan service that doesn't work, and ignored details that are missed. I'm bummed. #StarWarsRiseofSkywalker pic.twitter.com/Ztk0VzGc6H
— Eric Eisenberg (@eeisenberg) December 17, 2019
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