Summary
- The Rise of Skywalker strengthened the lore with the Force Dyad concept between Rey and Kylo Ren.
- Luke Skywalker’s triumphant return as a Jedi Master in the film fulfilled fans’ expectations.
- The film paid a fitting tribute to Carrie Fisher by respectfully including General Leia Organa’s final appearance.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker may have been controversial, but it brought a whole host of good things into the Star Wars franchise. Capping off the Star Wars sequel trilogy in December 2019, The Rise of Skywalker follows Rey and the Resistance as they take on the forces of Kylo Ren and the resurrected Emperor Palpatine. The movie became a controversial one, not least because of this resurrection.
But while The Rise of Skywalker still gets a lot of criticism, it’s important to remember the many positive changes it brought to the franchise. It was created by a team of people who love Star Wars, and even if you don’t, many fans do. More importantly, though, The Rise of Skywalker has had a huge impact on the lore of the Star Wars galaxy as a whole, making it an essential part of Star Wars.
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9 Rise of Skywalker Established Kylo Ren & Rey As A Force Dyad
The Hero & Villain Come Together
One of the most interesting developments in the sequel trilogy was The Last Jedi‘s addition of a Force-connection between Rey and Kylo Ren. This allowed the hero and villain to have intimate conversations, and exchange ideas without fighting. But The Rise of Skywalker took this one step further – following up on that connection and recontextualizing it as a ‘Dyad in the Force’. Where two are one, and are connected by fate.
Rey And Kylo Ren Duel Across Space Through The Force
Through further exploring the Dyad, The Rise of Skywalker gives us one of the most interesting lightsaber duels in all of Star Wars. On Kijimi, Kylo Ren duels Rey across space and time while hunting her down. Yet the Force Dyad is even more important during the final battle on Exegol, where Rey passes Kylo Ren the Skywalker lightsaber from a long distance away.
8 Luke Skywalker Finally Got To Lift The X-Wing In Rise of Skywalker
The Jedi Master Fulfills The Empire Strikes Back’s Big Yoda Moment
During her lowest point in the film, Rey gives up and retreats to the first Jedi temple on Ahch-To, where she is visited by the Force ghost of Luke Skywalker. There, Luke is able to impart one final lesson to Rey, and lift his own X-Wing out of the water for her to fly to Exegol in. This clearly parallels Yoda’s lifting of the X-Wing, which makes the scene just so enjoyable – especially when paired with Mark Hamill’s contagious smirk.
Luke Skywalker Becomes The Jedi Master We Always Knew He Could Be
Because of his beautiful sacrifice to save the Resistance in The Last Jedi, we were never able to see a fully confident, older Luke Skywalker teaching as a Jedi Master in the sequels – until The Rise of Skywalker. Though he is a Force ghost, the scene of him teaching, comforting, and guiding Rey is the fully realized Jedi Master passing on what he has learned that we’ve always wanted to see. In this way, The Rise of Skywalker patched up a missed opportunity that the structure of the whole trilogy unfortunately created.
Luke Skywalker
The son of Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala, Luke was brought up on the desert planet Tatooine. Initially mentored by Obi-Wan Kenobi, Luke fired the fateful shot that destroyed the Death Star, and he became a rebel hero. Despite the fears of Obi-Wan and Yoda, Luke’s faith in his father was proved well-founded when Vader returned to the light. With the Emperor defeated, Luke dedicated himself to bringing back the Jedi; his first attempt ended in tragedy due to Palpatine’s manipulations, but Luke’s legacy lives on in Rey.
- Died
- Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi
- Alliance
- Jedi
7 Rise of Skywalker Introduced the Wonderful Babu Frik
The Little Anzellan Alien Instantly Won Fans’ Hearts
One of the most surprising and popular characters from the sequel trilogy is The Rise of Skywalker‘s diminutive droidsmith Babu Frik. The little guy provides a few laughs on Kijimi, but also is just such a ridiculous concept that fans immediately loved the tiny mechanic. And even more, Babu Frik was filmed as a puppet, hearkening back to the film-making roots of the original trilogy, while being voiced by Harry Potter‘s Moaning Myrtle actress Shirley Henderson.
Babu Frik’s Lasting Legacy Has Reached The Mandalorian
Babu Frik’s species, the Anzellans, returned in The Mandalorian season 3. The diminutive mechanics were seen working on Nevarro, where they interact with Grogu, making it a real who’s-who of cute little aliens. Bringing Anzellans into The Mandalorian and putting them alongside the cultural juggernaut that is Grogu shows just how great of a concept Babu Frik was in The Rise of Skywalker.
6 Han Solo Made One Last Return In Rise of Skywalker
A Beautiful Father-Son Reunion With Kylo Ren
After Han Solo’s death at the hands of Kylo Ren in The Force Awakens, viewers never expected Harrison Ford to return to the role. But The Rise of Skywalker proved them wrong, bringing the legendary actor back to play Han Solo one last time. Some sort of memory of Han appears to his struggling son Ben, offering some much-needed reassurance to him as he fully turned back to the light side.
The Confrontation Repairs Han Solo’s Death & Gives Him A Good Ending
But while giving Harrison Ford one last scene as Han Solo, the conversation he and Ben have also reflects The Force Awakens beautifully. Framed and set up in the same way as the immediate lead up to Han’s death, this scene offers us a different ending, a good ending. It shows us a scene where Ben Solo throws away his saber, just like he could have in The Force Awakens, as he accepts his father’s love instead of rejecting it.
5 Daisy Ridley Gives Her Best Performance In Rise of Skywalker
The Young Jedi’s Joy, Pain, And Struggle Are Clear
The cast of the sequel trilogy is not something many fans complain about. They’re all very talented actors, and bring their characters to life in beautiful ways throughout the trilogy. But Rey’s actress Daisy Ridley, absolutely gives her best performance in The Rise of Skywalker. From her training montage, to her uncertainty about herself and her place in the story, to her intense learning, feeling, and overcoming her fear of confronting the Emperor – and her past. Daisy’s acting in this film should not be overlooked.
Rey Continues A Skywalker Tradition
Daisy Ridley is effectively continuing a tradition for Skywalkers. Both Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker and Hayden Christiansen as Anakin Skywalker also give their best performances in the third film as their character, making Rey fittingly join this club. This all works really well with the fact that Rey accepts the last name Skywalker at the end of The Rise of Skywalker, making her a Skywalker in more ways than one.
Rey Skywalker
Daughter of a “failed” Palpatine clone, Rey became part of a mysterious phenomenon known as the Force Dyad – a vergence in the Force that bound her to Kylo Ren. Trained by both Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa, Rey fought against the First Order as an ally of the Resistance. She ultimately triumphed against Palpatine himself, channelling the full power of all Jedi.
4 Rise of Skywalker Offers A Fitting Tribute To Carrie Fisher
General Leia Organa’s Triumphant Sacrificial End
With the tragic passing of Carrie Fisher in late 2016, the respectful continuation of her character in the next Star Wars film was a concern on many viiewers’ minds. For The Rise of Skywalker, with Fisher’s daughter Billie Lourd present, the filmmakers re-used older footage of Leia shot for The Force Awakens to include her in the film. They carefully wrote around Carrie’s existing dialogue, and gave her a touching, technically marvelous, and respectful final appearance. She guides Rey, and comforts her son Ben, using her last breath to urge him towards the light.
Carrie Fisher’s Beautiful Legacy Is Respected
In The Rise of Skywalker‘s final scene, Leia and Luke’s Force ghosts appear in the distance, giving Rey the permission to take the Skywalker name. This, and the rest of the film, therefore serve as a wonderful tribute to Carrie Fisher’s role as Leia – a true Skywalker, even if she was more closely associated with the name Organa. She is able to help give away the Skywalker name, as a steward of the family and a true matriarch, honoring Carrie’s powerful legacy as a female hero.
Leia Organa
The daughter of Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala, Leia inherited her mother’s political skills and her father’s Force power. She was raised on Alderaan as a member of the royal family, and followed in her father’s footsteps by becoming a senator who secretly worked alongside the Rebel Alliance. Alderaan’s destruction changed everything, and Leia became a leader in both the Rebel Alliance and its successor government, the New Republic. She served there for decades, eventually leaving to found the First Order when she sensed its darkness growing. Leia gave much for her ideals, but eventually gave her life to redeem her son Ben.
- Died
- Star Wars: Episode IX- The Rise Of Skywalker
- Alliance
- Rebel Alliance, New Republic, Resistance
3 Kylo Ren Finally Used The Skywalker Saber
The Last Skywalker Fights With The Family Lightsaber
Often regarded as the most popular – or even best – character in the sequel trilogy, Kylo Ren was a great villain. But one of his core attributes in these films is his desperate desire for te Skywalker saber, the lightsaber made by Anakin, and later wielded by Luke and Rey. All of this is fulfilled once he turns to the light side in The Rise of Skywalker. During the Battle of Exegol, Rey hands him the saber through the Force so he can fight his former lackeys, the Knights of Ren, as a true Jedi once more.
The Lightsaber’s Arc Is Complete With Rey And Ben
Rey handing Ben Solo the Skywalker Lightsaber is more meaningful than just Ben receiving it, though. It’s also incredibly significant that Rey chooses to give it to him. In The Force Awakens, Rey uses the Force to snatch the saber away from Kylo Ren’s pull. Compare that to The Rise of Skywalker, where she finally trusts Kylo Ren (and he has proven himself enough for her to), instead of taking the lightsaber, give it away to Ben. The two characters’ original conflict is revisited and completed.
Ben Solo/Kylo Ren
The son of Han Solo and Leia Organa, Ben was manipulated by Palpatine through the Force for most of his life, influenced toward the dark side of the Force. A misstep by Luke Skywalker ultimately left Ben feeling he had no choice but to embrace the dark side, and he became Kylo Ren, a key figure in the First Order. Kylo Ren’s heart remained deeply divided, however, even after he ascended to become Supreme Leader of the First Order. He was ultimately redeemed by Rey, with whom he shared a remarkable Force bond, and by the love of his parents.
- Died
- Star Wars: Episode IX- The Rise Of Skywalker
- Alliance
- Jedi, First Order
2 The Skywalker Saga Is Now Complete
A Final Film With A Big Ending
As the final film in the Skywalker Saga, The Rise of Skywalker gave fans a very firm and solid ending. Not leading into anything directly – though we will see Rey’s story continue in a future film – the ending can serve as an ending for all three trilogies fairly well. Rey accepts the name Skywalker, and the galaxy is united against the First Order. She is visited by the ghosts of the Skywalker twins after burying their lightsabers, she has a new yellow saber, and the film ends hopefully and respectfully with a twin sunset.
The Last Skywalker Gives His Life – End Ends The Cycle
Rey’s survival makes her the last Skywalker, but before she was a Skywalker, Ben Solo held that title. And in a way, Ben Solo’s selfless love for Rey solidifies who the Skywalkers are at their genetic ending. He gives his life to her, saving her, and making the last member of the Skywalker family’s final action one of generosity and light. The Rise of Skywalker‘s ending somehow completes, restarts, and totally honors the Skywalker name.
1 Rise of Skywalker Brought The Whole Galaxy Together
The Galaxy Unites To Fight Emperor Palpatine
One of the best sequences in The Rise of Skywalker is when the Citizens’ Fleet arrives at Exegol. When General Poe Dameron thinks all is lost, Lando arrives with thousands of ships behind him, from all corners of the galaxy, ready to fight Palpatine’s resurgent forces. This isn’t an individual Rebel Alliance anymore. This is the entire galaxy uniting together, at least for a short time, to fight for themselves. A beautiful, triumphant scene solidified by this quote from First Order Admiral Frantis Griss:
It’s not a navy, sir, it’s just… people.
Episode 9 Fulfills Anakin’s Wish From Episode 1
One heartbreaking line in The Phantom Menace, the first film in the Skywalker Saga, comes to fruition in the last one. A young Anakin claims that he and his mother believe “the biggest problem in this universe is nobody helps each other.” This can be seen as the main issue with the galaxy, according to George Lucas, and it’s what makes Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker‘s ending so good: everyone helps each other. It’s not a navy, it’s people – just as Anakin would have wished.
