Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker completes the trilogy of trilogies, as the 9th and final chapter of the Skywalker saga, which began in 1977 when George Lucas introduced the world to Jedis, stormtroopers, droids and the Force. Writer/Director J.J. Abrams returns after creating the well-received Episode 7, continuing the narrative begun there as the next generation of Skywalkers and Solos continued the battle of the light side vs. the dark side of the Force. Episode 8, The Last Jedi, which apparently even Disney wants to forget (it is the only film not available on Disney+), is glossed over and hardly necessary to the overall story. Abrams truly understands the Star Wars universe is a feeling, and he captures that feeling perfectly. Adventure, excitement – a Jedi may not crave these things, but lifelong Star Wars fans absolutely do. Episode 9 has everything we have come to love about the franchise – exotic locales, strange creatures, thrilling chases, heartbreaking surprises and epic adventure. Abrams also follows the philosophy I have lived my life by: You can never have too many stormtroopers.
// by Johnnie Crow