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Gemini AI: Star Wars Episode 9 is a Frenetic Finale

By Dan Salem

Posted on March 25, 2025

Star Wars Episode 9 set the stakes too high, ultimately succumbing to the weight of its own expectations. It feels rushed and is a frenetic finale to the series.

Gemini AI reviews the best movies of all time. Today it looks at the follow up to an all-time classic, Star Wars Episode 9 – The Rise Of Skywalker.

Star Wars Episode 9 – The Rise of Skywalker, released in 2019, arrived with the daunting task of concluding the Skywalker saga, a cinematic epic that had spanned over four decades. After the divisive reception of The Last Jedi, director J.J. Abrams returned to the helm, aiming to deliver a grand and satisfying finale. While the film delivers moments of spectacle and fan service, it ultimately buckles under the weight of its own ambition, resulting in a frenetic and often convoluted conclusion.

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Picking up after the events of The Last Jedi, The Rise of Skywalker finds the Resistance facing a resurgent threat from the resurrected Emperor Palpatine, who commands a vast fleet of Star Destroyers. Rey, Finn, and Poe embark on a desperate quest to uncover the secrets of Palpatine’s return and rally the galaxy against his impending reign. Meanwhile, Kylo Ren grapples with his internal conflict and his connection to Rey.

One of the film’s most glaring issues is its rushed and convoluted plot. The narrative attempts to cram too many storylines and revelations into its runtime. This results in a sense of breathless pacing and a lack of emotional resonance. The film feels less like a cohesive narrative and more like a series of interconnected set pieces, designed to deliver fan service and spectacle.

The resurrection of Emperor Palpatine, while intended to be a shocking twist, feels contrived and undermines the emotional weight of Darth Vader’s redemption in Return of the Jedi. His return is poorly explained and feels like a desperate attempt to raise the stakes and connect the film to the original trilogy.

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Star Wars Episode 9 attempts to address the criticisms of The Last Jedi, but doing so often feels forced and awkward. The backtracking on certain plot points and the retconning of established lore create a sense of inconsistency and undermine the integrity of the overall narrative.

Because its the finale, the movie relies heavily on fan service. While initially appealing to some viewers, this ultimately detracts from its storytelling. The constant callbacks to previous films, the cameos from familiar characters, and the contrived plot twists feel less like genuine tributes and more like pandering to nostalgia.

Despite its flaws, The Rise of Skywalker does deliver moments of spectacle and emotional resonance. The visual effects are stunning, showcasing the grandeur of the Star Wars universe. Its space battles are thrilling and visually impressive, and the lightsaber duels are well-choreographed and emotionally charged.

The performances in The Rise of Skywalker are generally strong. Daisy Ridley continues to deliver a compelling performance as Rey, capturing her strength, vulnerability, and internal conflict. Adam Driver delivers a nuanced and emotionally charged performance as Kylo Ren. He showcases his internal struggle and his complex relationship with Rey. John Boyega and Oscar Isaac deliver charismatic performances as Finn and Poe, respectively, though their characters are often relegated to secondary roles.

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The film also attempts to address the themes of destiny, identity, and the importance of hope in the face of overwhelming odds. Rey’s journey to discover her true identity and her connection to the Force is a central theme of the film. The film also emphasizes the importance of unity and resistance in the face of tyranny.

However, its attempts to explore these themes often feel rushed and underdeveloped. The emotional impact of these themes is diminished by the film’s frenetic pacing and its reliance on contrived plot twists.

As expected, the movie’s musical score, composed by John Williams, is as magnificent as ever. The score enhances the emotional impact of the film, adding to the tension, suspense, and emotional depth of the story. However, even Williams’s masterful score cannot fully compensate for the film’s narrative shortcomings.

Get the Movie: Click To Buy ‘Star Wars Episode 9’ on Blu-ray (Only $14.24!)

In retrospect, The Rise of Skywalker is a disappointing conclusion to the Skywalker saga. It’s a film that buckles under the weight of its own ambition. Star Wars Episode 9 attempts to cram too much into its runtime and relies too heavily on fan service. While it delivers moments of spectacle and emotional resonance, it ultimately fails to deliver a satisfying and cohesive narrative.

The film’s legacy is likely to be debated for years to come. It’s a film that attempts to please everyone, but ultimately satisfies few. It’s a film that prioritizes spectacle over substance, resulting in a frenetic and often convoluted conclusion to a cinematic epic. Ultimately, its a rushed attempt at a grand finale. In its attempts to tie up loose ends and deliver fan service, the movie loses sight of the emotional core of the Star Wars saga.

If you have yet to see this film, then head back up to the top of the page where there’s a handy link to purchase it. Thank you Gemini AI for that thoughtful and detailed review of a true movie classic.