Small Screen Reviews

Studio:
Walt Disney Pictures/Lucas Films  

What’s It About?
The epic conclusion to the saga (for now at least), with a great threat returning to the galaxy, which ultimately brings Rey, Kylo Ren and the Resistance all into play.   

Who’s In It?
Daisy Ridley (Murder On The Orient Express, Ophelia, & Peter Rabbit)
Adam Driver (BlackKklansman, The Report, & Marriage Story)   

Other notables include:
Oscar Isaac (Inside Llewyn Davis, Ex Machina, & more recently The Addams Family)
John Boyega (Attack The Block, Detroit, & Pacific Rim: Uprising)   

Director: JJ Abrams (Mission: impossible III, Star Trek 1 & 2, & Super 8)   

Audiences Expect:
As usual the latest instalment of the Star Wars saga comes with unparalleled hope and expectation – particularly given that this is the last one in the series (supposedly) and also because there was plenty of hoo-ha after Rian Johnson’s last effort with Episode VIII.
So this one sees the return of JJ Abrams, with the powers that be wanting him to tie everything up in a nice neat bow. And, to a large extent, he does. 
Without giving too much away, there is a major threat facing the galaxy and inevitably everyone’s worlds collide bringing Rey and Kylo Ren back into each other’s sphere, as well as the Resistance attempting to save the galaxy once more in a winner-takes-all final showdown. We learn a little more about Rey and Kylo Ren, but exposition and bow wrapping are the order of the day – which might feel satisfying to some, but can also feel like a wasted opportunity to others. It would be fair to say that JJ Abrams plays this one incredibly safe, and wilfully ignores many of the opportunities that Johnson’s The Last Jedi potentially sets up.
Daisy Ridley delivers her best performance in this one, while Adam Driver does what Adam Driver always does – and really delivers – as per usual. Domhnall Gleeson and Richard E Grant appear to be having a bit of fun, but other than that, there is little opportunity for any others to glow, let alone shine. 
A strong final act appeals, and fully rounds off the trilogy, but in truth, like Episodes VII and VIII, The Rise Of Skywalker doesn’t really add anything to the Star Wars universe as a whole, with the latest trilogy struggling to live up to the original three and perhaps unsurprisingly remains in its shadow.   

In A Nutshell:
In its attempt to include plenty of exposition and tie up all the loose ends, it ends up being predictable and only marginally interesting.  

Highlight:
Adam Driver as per…   

Lowpoint:
Constantly revisiting the past and refusing to build anything new or original