The Flickering Myth writing team share their thoughts on Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker…
Star Wars Celebration Chicago 2019 kicked off with a bang yesterday as Lucasfilm unveiled the title and trailer for Star Wars: Episode IX – which, henceforth, shall be known as Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
The Star Wars franchise has found itself in uncharted waters lately, with Star Wars: The Last Jedi proving hugely divisive, and Solo: A Star Wars Story failing to perform at the box office. So, with a lot riding on The Rise of Skywalker, Disney and Lucasfilm will certainly have been hoping to hit a home run with this first glimpse at the final chapter of the Skywalker story. Here’s what our writing team made of the trailer (and the title)…
Allen Christian: Looks good, looks like it could put a nice bow on the trilogy and even rectify what a lot of people (not including myself) disliked about The Last Jedi. I can’t believe that some of the highest paid professionals in the entertainment industry, after presumably much debate, are allowing this thing to be called The Rise of Skywalker, though. That’s really awful.
EJ Moreno: Trailer looks stunning. The visuals of the brand were upped in the last entry and glad to see the bar is still rising. The title though seems like it was made only for haters of Last Jedi to make them feel better. I rolled my eyes so hard and was like “well guess Kylo doesn’t get his wish for the past to stay dead.” Two steps forward, one leap back.
Scott Watson: Loving the trailer, loving the spectacle, loving seeing Lando back. Hate that title. Rise of Skywalker… Really????
Hasitha Fernando: Love the trailer. But not sold on the title though. Seems as If they are trying a bit too hard to appeal to Star Wars fans, maybe?
Shaun Munro: Weren’t we over “Rise of the…” titles a few years ago? Trailer looks solid as you’d expect – enigmatic but interesting. I just hope Palpatine’s return makes sense dramatically and isn’t just lazy nostalgia being milked again.
Rafael Motamayor: The shots from the trailer looked fine, but that laugh reveal and the title make me afraid they’re going in a direction that is purely reactionary to please a section of the audience.
George Chrysostomou: I think we’ve got a bit of a bait and switch here and that there are some big surprises in store. The locations look breathtaking and the cast seem to be on top form. I think this will be a satisfying conclusion that might actually please everyone.
Graeme Robertson: I think I share the sentiment that the title is a bit meh (but keep in mind this a series that had Attack of the Clones and The Phantom Menace as titles, so it’s in good company.) but a title is not the decider of a film’s overall quality. Overall I think it looks like a good bit of fun and is hopefully a nice way to wrap up the Skywalker story. The evil laugh at the end could lead to a cool villain comeback or it could be a bit letdown simply done to appease those who hated TLJ and it’s changes. Regardless though, I’m hyped, but I also dread the inevitable (and likely never-ending) complaining about it.
Eric Bay-Andersen: As someone who thoroughly disliked TLJ and what it did with Luke, the title seems to be a promise to redeem his character – so for that reason I like it. Couldn’t help but notice that Rose didn’t feature, which suggests she’ll must more of a side character. The inclusion of the Emperor is interesting – if they’re wrapping up a nine film saga, then hopefully including (or referencing) the character will make narrative sense, and not just be milking the nostalgia factor. That being said, seeing Lando made me feel all warm and fuzzy! Otherwise it looks suitably epic and mysterious, so I’m excited for it.
Andrew Newton: Love the trailer, don’t love the title of the film. Hope they don’t bring Palpatine back otherwise Vader’s sacrifice would have been in vain.
Gerald James: I’m glad to see that the House of Mouse is no longer relegating Star Wars fan-fiction to the novels. Hopefully the fan that wrote this can make a name for themselves. In all seriousness, this trailer isn’t for me. But then again my favorite film in the series since Empire was The Last Jedi and I’m getting a strong feeling that everything they built up in that film is going to be thrown out the window here. That said, I do hope that the fans of the series get the film that they’re hoping for. And as safe as it feels they are playing it I think it’ll be universally loved by the base. Oh, and the title is terrible.
Samuel Brace: While trailers don’t make a great film, this is one great trailer. Stunning visuals, surprise character returns, and a whole lot of questions. I was excited for Episode IX before but now I can’t wait. This trailer has done its job.
Hayden Mears: It’s very “J.J.” There’s a cleanness to the picture and the sound that’s just breathtaking. Every shot shows us the scope of the film without losing the emotion of the moment, and the love Abrams puts into every second feels so genuine. This is gonna be one hell of a Star Wars movie, shitty title notwithstanding.
Tai Freligh: I enjoyed the trailer. Beautifully shot, engaging and just enough of a tease to get me excited. Lando was awesome and the laugh at the end was great! The title? Meh. I’m glad the saga is coming to an end and they’re taking a break from more movies. Nine is enough!
Tori Brazier: I am pleasantly intrigued. Also very much here for more ‘Kylo Rey’ development, which this trailer barely hints at (bar the clunky film title).
Andy Naylor: I liked it, so many questions and I’m looking forward to Rey and Kylo being solid. However, as much as I love The Emperor, I’m with Andrew Newton, Vader’s return from the dark side would be meaningless.
Red Stewart: Dope teaser.
Martin Carr: I’ll see it but not sure how onboard I am at this point. Decent trailer though showing nothing really, yet planting seeds.
Ricky Church: Being in one of the rooms where this played at Celebration was an experience. I really love this trailer. The visuals look beautiful, the action looks cool and I like the new looks for the characters. While some of you have expressed disinterest in the title itself, I actually like it for the symmetry it offers to each of the concluding chapters: Revenge. Return. Rise. If the Jedi have indeed ended, will Force-users simply be referred to as Skywalker? Is that how the legacy of the Jedi and Luke Skywalker will live on through Rey? A lot of interesting possibilities here. And that laugh – my jaw dropped when I heard that. Suffice it to say that I am very much looking forward to how this trilogy wraps with this film.
So, for the most part, our writing team was impressed by the trailer, but not so much the title (to put it mildly). But what did you make of it? Be sure to let us know your reaction in the comments below, or over on our various social media channels…
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is set for release on December 20th 2019 with J.J. Abrams (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) directing a cast that includes Star Wars veterans Daisy Ridley (Rey), Adam Driver (Kylo Ren), John Boyega (Finn), Oscar Isaac (Poe Dameron), Lupita Nyong’o (Maz Kanata), Domhnall Gleeson (General Hux), Kelly Marie Tran (Rose Tico), Joonas Suotamo (Chewbacca), Billie Lourd (Lieutenant Connix), Greg Grunberg (Snap Wexley), Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO), Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian) and Carrie Fisher (Leia Organa) as well as new additions Naomi Ackie (Lady Mabeth), Richard E. Grant (Logan), Dominic Monaghan (Lost), and Keri Russell (The Americans).
(article originally appeared on Flickering Myth)