'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' Reviews Are In & Fans Are Still Totally Split
Disney's trilogy-ender, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, has finally landed in theaters nationwide. As with the first reviews from the world premiere in Los Angeles on Monday, there isn't a whole lot of fan consensus.
The ninth and final film in the Star Wars saga had a lot to cover, but it wasn't just the length that rubbed some fans the wrong way.
As more and more reviews filter in, the question remains; Does the last installment enhance the series, or does it shoot itself in the foot by unnecessarily pandering to fans?
Audiences are pretty much split on whether RoS is a convoluted, regressive finale from JJ Abrams or action-filled yet poetic end to the series.
Watch the trailer below and keep scrolling to read the best reactions for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
There's very little consensus
Me reading negative reviews of #TheRiseOfSkywalker pic.twitter.com/7eFRC4Pual
— Patrick Williams (@PatrickWilliams) December 20, 2019
Really enjoyed #RiseofSkywalker
— Boden (@Master_Boden) December 19, 2019
Wonder what the internet thi- pic.twitter.com/Koyp1l8hA3
This is blowing my mind. Literally everyone who ❤️ TLJ - dislikes #TheRiseOfSkywalker
— Star Wars Theory (@SWTheory66) December 20, 2019
And those who disliked TLJ (me) really enjoyed #TheRiseOfSkywalker
There were plot holes, sure. Could things have been done differently? Yes. It wrapped the sequels imo. I enjoyed it a lot. 🤙🏽
Me enjoying The Rise of Skywalker while everyone else finds something to complain about #TheRiseOfSkywalker pic.twitter.com/JmJ14ixJ4u
— Ziggy (@mrjafri) December 20, 2019
Although we can all agree that Kyloe Ren aka Ben Solo was great
dear diary
— Emo Kylo Ren (@KyloR3n) December 20, 2019
today was a lot
Bless your timeline with the one and only Supreme Leader #StarWarsTheRiseofSkywalker pic.twitter.com/ZPBXsFz5EV
— 𝕖𝕕𝕚𝕥𝕙 (@EdithViramontes) December 20, 2019
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ben solo fighting is one of the best things that ever happened to me pic.twitter.com/26npXpTh70
— bri (@drivkling) December 19, 2019
You'll be blown away they said...
I absolutely loved #StarWarsTheRiseofSkywalker.
— Justin Chandler (@KOSDFF) December 20, 2019
I both cheered and cried multiple times.
As a life long fan of Star Wars I loved that conclusion. So much of it was just amazing. The low scores critics gave it are completely unwarranted.
LOVED IT. pic.twitter.com/EokyWgDNhM
#StarWarsTheRiseOfSkywalker is cinematically beautiful and simply wonderful in its story, individual character arcs, and rewarding finale. The 9-film saga sees a poetic ending that never forgets the previous films nor the fans who embraced its hopeful and inspiring narrative. pic.twitter.com/SRkB8lNqe0
— Chris Berry (@sounderfall541) December 20, 2019
#StarWars #TheRiseOfSkywalker...OH MY GOD! I am absolutely blown away! I’ve never been so satisfied by a film. This is the end of an era and a franchise that has defined my life and this did it justice in a way I didn’t imagine it could. You WILL cry.... pic.twitter.com/Jfx5bzdZOO
— Jenna Busch (@JennaBusch) December 17, 2019
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
Just came out of the World Premiere of #TheRiseOfSkywalker WOW! I laughed. I cried. I cried again. What an incredible end to a saga that has lasted so many years. Thank you to Disney for inviting me and my mum along to the screening.
— Alasdair (@AB140992) December 17, 2019
I’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
THE RISE OF SKYWALKER is everything I wanted it to be — because there’s never been a STAR WARS movie like this before.
— Jake Hamilton (@JakesTakes) December 17, 2019
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
#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
— BD (@BrandonDavisBD) December 17, 2019
But it was a big step back for some fans
#RiseOfSkywalker ends the new trilogy with a disappointing whimper. It plays out like a fan film, back-peddling decisions in The Last Jedi in favour of connecting dots to satisfy a specific group rather than tell an original story. It feels like the series is at war with itself. pic.twitter.com/MAbCvnBMgl
— Jack Howard (@JackHoward) December 19, 2019
the rise of skywalker is such a cheap nostalgia fest and it’s mind-blowing how much jj abrams bends over backwards to please fans. i feel sorry for rian johnson more than anything. what i loved about the last jedi is that it made star wars feel fresh again – this feels regressive
— iana murray (@ianamurray) December 20, 2019
In a way it's kind of bold and avant-garde that Disney approached a billion-dollar trilogy like an improv sketch with a prompt - "Star Wars sequels, go!" - where one performer tells part of the story, the next picks it up mid-stream, and nobody coordinates the narrative.
— Ross Douthat (@DouthatNYT) December 20, 2019
Live look at J.J. Abrams and Rian Johnson as they made their respective #StarWars films. #TheRiseOfSkywalker pic.twitter.com/4UKCG4u92A
— Brian Stewart (@BrianStewartOH) December 20, 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
Those childhood feels
I saw Episode IV in theaters & now 40 years later I've come full circle & I'm taking my son. ❤ #StarWars pic.twitter.com/bJiivMBmoM
— CHILL⚡️STORM⚡️RIZING™ Black American gamer. (@RizingStormGG) December 20, 2019
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In the end, it achieved a lot
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
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
I’m still processing #StarWars #TheRiseofSkywalker. The emotional highs are spectacular, and there are a lot of payoffs (some earned, some not). But some choices feel like an unnecessary course-correct from The Last Jedi and some just plain don’t make sense. Need to see it again pic.twitter.com/NcgBbAeCVx
— Laura Prudom (@lauraprudom) 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, 2019
Just 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, 2019