The first critics in America have seen the new
Star Wars film The Rise Of Skywalker, and the initial reactions are actually rather mixed.
Rise Of The Skywalker serves as the follow-up to Episode VIII, The Last Jedi, which proved to be among the most divisive Star Wars films in the saga.
On Monday night, the film was given its first screening, and while critics’ full reviews are currently still embargoed, they have been sharing their first thoughts on social media.
And let’s just say, the words “it’s a lot” have already come up more than once.Starting with the good, those who loved The Rise Of Skywalker really loved it, and quickly shared their impassioned tweets soon after leaving the screening...When people talk about #StarWars , they talk about their childhoods. Their best memories. The people they loved and shared it with.#TheRiseOfSkywalker brings back all those feelings. And then some.I absolutely loved it. And now I feel ... pic.twitter.com/5wkQh6v97G— Anthony Breznican (@Breznican) December 17, 2019THE RISE OF SKYWALKER: Really awesome! The best of the new trilogy! Really fun, lots of humor, a big heart! So many surprises! It’s everything #StarWars fans are hoping for, and more! A very satisfying conclusion! A lot of fan service, but I loved it! pic.twitter.com/9iSjFpifu6— The Mantzalorian (@MovieMantz) December 17, 2019THE RISE OF SKYWALKER is everything I wanted it to be — because there’s never been a STAR WARS movie like this before.It’s dark and scary, but hopeful and beautiful. It ends the trilogy while also ending the saga as a whole.I know I’m rambling — but I worship this movie. pic.twitter.com/XoJFl8Rv8n— Jake Hamilton (@JakesTakes) December 17, 2019Just stepped out of #TheRiseofSkywalker. It’s an immensely satisfying and MASSIVE end to the saga. It somehow addresses issues, problematic characters, and most unanswered questions from The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi too. pic.twitter.com/TMKeXCXuUx— Rob Keyes (@rob_keyes) December 17, 2019I’m emotional, overwhelmed, surprised, shocked & stunned. More than anything, I’m happy. Thanks for coming through one more time, Star Wars.#TheRiseOfSkywalker— Mark Ellis (@markellislive) December 17, 2019#StarWars#TheRiseOfSkywalker is good. It’s big and full of surprises and, in the words of Luke Skywalker, “This is not going to go the way you think.” pic.twitter.com/nruJtzaMC4— The Brandalorian (@BrandonDavisBD) December 17, 2019I realized within the first 20 mins of #StarWars#TheRiseofSkywalker that it was the best film in this trilogy, and it kept getting better right through to the end. THANK YOU!!! #Maytheforcebewithyou— Maude Garrett (@maudegarrett) December 17, 2019Epic. 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, 2019Just saw #StarWars #TheRiseOfSkywalker at the world premiere in
Hollywood & I AM BLOWN AWAY! This movie made me cheer, cry, gasp, laugh & cheer again. Loved it - especially for the message about the power of friendship. Fans are gonna ❤️ this movie! Will see it again & again! pic.twitter.com/LWjrLCAMdM— Bonnie Burton (@bonniegrrl) December 17, 2019#TheRiseofSkywalker is a lot. It’s like 9 movies of plot in one. Going to take me about 9 days to process.— Chris Taylor (@FutureBoy) December 17, 2019All I can say is “wow.”#StarWars: #TheRiseOfSkywalker is many things: horrifying, hopeful, violent, lowkey horny, and full of the right kind of fan service.But most of all, it’s a fitting ending for this incredible, 40+ year-long saga. pic.twitter.com/pd2GEwI7O3— Dan Casey (@DanCasey) December 17, 2019Wow. 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#StarWars#TheRiseOfSkywalker is good. It’s big and full of surprises and, in the words of Luke Skywalker, “This is not going to go the way you think.” pic.twitter.com/nruJtzaMC4— The Brandalorian (@BrandonDavisBD) December 17, 2019The perfect end to an epic saga. The story is truly emotional. The direction is jawdropping. I don’t know how he did it. To balance scope and scale with so much heart like that is a feat. The performances are so damn good. Especially, Daisy. A fantastic ride. #TheRiseOfSkywalkerhttps://t.co/06SeSS1Nla— Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 17, 2019Footage of my face watching #TheRiseofSkywalker...JJ Abrams juggled that film & the scope of 42-years of storytelling, beautifully. I’m just in awe of the direction, cinematography & Williams’ score.It’s everything fans are hoping for & more. Abrams really did the impossible! pic.twitter.com/KE2E1xl2LV— Kevin McCarthy (@KevinMcCarthyTV) December 17, 2019It has to be said, though, that others had more mixed feelings about Episode IX, with some early reviews even verging on negative...Um so the best thing I can say about Rise of Skywalker is that Daisy Ridley gives her best performance and for hardcore fans...ya get what you want. Wish JJ had another year to work on it. #RiseOfSkywalker— Gregory Ellwood - The Playlist 🎬 (@TheGregoryE) December 17, 2019#TheRiseOfSkywalker is ummmmmm a lot! tons to love here, no shortage of crowd pleasing moments and twists and cameos, but also quite a bit to 🤔. some faves: jannah 💜, d-0 💚, finn of course 🖤. and what a lovely send off for our general leia 💕🚀💫— Angie J. Han (@ajhan) December 17, 2019There 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. #StarWarsRiseofSkywalkerpic.twitter.com/Ztk0VzGc6H— Eric Eisenberg (@eeisenberg) December 17, 2019At worst, I expected #TheRiseOfSkywalker to be a well made movie that I didn't like or whose story choices I disagreed with. I was not expecting a genuinely bad movie with video game plotting, thin characters, weak action and endless exposition of no consequence. Heartbreaking...— Scott Mendelson (@ScottMendelson) December 17, 2019My favorite Star Wars are the ones that take their time and focus on the characters. The whole first half felt like all exposition. It does get better. And Lando rules. But there’s just so much plot it feels so rushed. And the Emperor stuff is so weird.— Mike Ryan (@mikeryan) December 17, 2019STAR 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, 2019So, 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. So I guess what my immediate reaction is: God I love this franchise and I'll miss the Skywalker saga.— Yolanda Machado (@SassyMamainLA) December 17, 2019The Rise Of Skywalker is the last in Disney’s rebooted trilogy, which began in 2015 with The Force Awakens.
Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Adam Driver and Oscar Isaacs – who all joined the franchise in The Force Awakens – will all be back for the final instalment, as will Kelly Marie Tran, who played Rose Tico in The Last Jedi.
Returning to directing duties is JJ Abrams, who previously helmed The Force Awakens. He replaced Colin Trevorrow, who stepped down due to creative differences with the president of Lucasfilm, Kathleen Kennedy.
Once the current trilogy is complete, a new trilogy helmed by The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson is also in the works.
A spin-off TV series The Mandalorian is also currently streaming on Disney+ in the US (yes, the one with “Baby Yoda”).
Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker arrives in
UK cinemas on Friday 19 December.READ MORE... John Boyega Recalls Horrifying Moment His Lost Star Wars Script Ended Up On eBay Take ‘One Last Look’: Emotional Final Star Wars Trailer Drops For The Rise Of Skywalker Daisy Ridley Hits Back At 'Vicious' Star Wars Fans Over Criticisms Of Last Film