'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' Is Out & Audiences Are At Odds

‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’ Reviews Are In & Fans Are Still Totally Split

By Heather Snowden in Movies

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

Wonder what the internet thi- pic.twitter.com/Koyp1l8hA3

— Steven Boden (@Master_Boden) December 19, 2019

This is blowing my mind. Literally everyone who ❤️ TLJ – dislikes #TheRiseOfSkywalker
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. 🤙🏽

— Star Wars Theory (@SWTheory66) December 20, 2019

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
today was a lot

— Emo Kylo Ren (@KyloR3n) December 20, 2019

Bless your timeline with the one and only Supreme Leader #StarWarsTheRiseofSkywalker pic.twitter.com/ZPBXsFz5EV

— PRIMADONNA (@EdithViramontes) December 20, 2019

ben solo lives in my heart and nobody can take that away from me pic.twitter.com/Hc1PVkMR6C

— claudia (@kyloafterglow) December 19, 2019

ben solo fighting is one of the best things that ever happened to me pic.twitter.com/26npXpTh70

— ʙʀɪ {tros spoiler} (@kylotargaryenx) December 19, 2019

You’ll be blown away they said…

I absolutely loved #StarWarsTheRiseofSkywalker.

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

— Justin Chandler (@KOSDFF) December 20, 2019

#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 Bûche de Noël (@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.

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, 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, 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

— RIZING⚡️STORM™ (@RizingStormGG) December 20, 2019

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, 2019

2/ There are SO many moments of pure audience delight. At one point in mid of #RiseofSkywalker, someone yelled "Yeah JJ!" and the whole audience erupted into cheers. This happened several more times.

It is the most 'original trilogy' movie since the 'original trilogy'. pic.twitter.com/qPd9LBzov4

— Matthew Ball (@ballmatthew) December 17, 2019

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 (@LauInLA) 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