Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker Reactions: SPOILERS

[flynnibus]

I'm not saying Disney wouldn't have liked more money, but the film is still a success. Stating it as otherwise is factually incorrect.

With a franchise mike Star Wars it's not just a film's gross in isolation. These films are intended to be the foundation of franchises for years. They are supposed to be the huge draw that everyone wants to associate with.

 

[flynnibus]

Saw the film again tonight... and some things of note...

Still almost fell asleep leading up the death star wreckage sequence.
Second time around the whole wayfinder part of the film didnt feel as jumpy as the first time through.
Kylo’s tie fighter is destroyed by rey after kylo first goes to the new planet... so the wayfinder should be in ship right? But the wayfinder is in his ship again later... when he has a second tie fighter and rey takes it then...
First time i missed they abusing han’s classic “i know..” response

Why on earth do the resistance need to use a ground attack to defeat a big tower? Then, they cant defeat it on the star destroyer without a boarding mission... as if none of their fighters or bombers can do the mission.

Yet, just minutes later, the same crews can blow up the very same star destroyers in a single pass by attacking the planet killer guns?? The star destroyers cave effortlessly... when their defenses are no different then they were just minutes ago...

The rey/kylo kiss wasnt as stark the second time and I picked up more that she said she wanted to “take bens hand” earlier... and she calls him ben in that moment.

I noticed this time poe puts a 16 (or 18hr?) deadline on this entire film’s plot. It is absurd. And another egregious abipuse of time... when the resistance goes to attack the emperor... they leave and immediately attack, in a battle that happens without delay and plays out in real time. So how is it lando can go all the way to the core systems... recruit an entire armada... and get all the way back out to the unknowns area in this time window? They explicitly say the last time they begged for help, no one came. This time... they get the biggest armada ever seen... in Less time then it took the resistence to start that fight?

Nevermind the travel time to the core systems... and back out to the unknown area. Lightspeed travel is not instant in the galaxy.... distance matters. Nevermind recruiting hundreds of ships that weren’t even waiting for you?

The film certainly has some emotional points. I still get a twitch when the lucasfilm banner comes up.

I didnt see any talk about it earlier.. but i thought there was some question if post-acquisition if they’d put in the 20th century fanfare sequence... still wish they had brought that back.

And i think pretty much everything in this film done at the resistance camp is poorly done.

And i still dont buy into the Leia knew rey’s story thing. Even if this time i could see the foreshadowing they threw in there where leia tells rey to not be afraid of who she is.

 

[LSLS]

Making money but leaving some on the table is never a success for disney.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

You’re still going on about calling fatigue a myth? The CEO of Disney directly blamed that specific reason for Solo’s failure.

Your analysis is based on personal opinion, not actual deductive reasoning. Therefore, flawed.

Yes...I am...

Because he basically is blaming fans and the public.

That is the easiest, most bullexcuse a Hollywood exec could give...

Translation: it’s everyone but US who’s to blame. It throws blame away from the product quality.

You think Iger is under some type of responsibility to tell the truth?

Come on.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Saw the film again tonight... and some things of note...

Still almost fell asleep leading up the death star wreckage sequence.
Second time around the whole wayfinder part of the film didnt feel as jumpy as the first time through.
Kylo’s tie fighter is destroyed by rey after kylo first goes to the new planet... so the wayfinder should be in ship right? But the wayfinder is in his ship again later... when he has a second tie fighter and rey takes it then...
First time i missed they abusing han’s classic “i know..” response

Why on earth do the resistance need to use a ground attack to defeat a big tower? Then, they cant defeat it on the star destroyer without a boarding mission... as if none of their fighters or bombers can do the mission.

Yet, just minutes later, the same crews can blow up the very same star destroyers in a single pass by attacking the planet killer guns?? The star destroyers cave effortlessly... when their defenses are no different then they were just minutes ago...

The rey/kylo kiss wasnt as stark the second time and I picked up more that she said she wanted to “take bens hand” earlier... and she calls him ben in that moment.

I noticed this time poe puts a 16 (or 18hr?) deadline on this entire film’s plot. It is absurd. And another egregious abipuse of time... when the resistance goes to attack the emperor... they leave and immediately attack, in a battle that happens without delay and plays out in real time. So how is it lando can go all the way to the core systems... recruit an entire armada... and get all the way back out to the unknowns area in this time window? They explicitly say the last time they begged for help, no one came. This time... they get the biggest armada ever seen... in Less time then it took the resistence to start that fight?

Nevermind the travel time to the core systems... and back out to the unknown area. Lightspeed travel is not instant in the galaxy.... distance matters. Nevermind recruiting hundreds of ships that weren’t even waiting for you?

The film certainly has some emotional points. I still get a twitch when the lucasfilm banner comes up.

I didnt see any talk about it earlier.. but i thought there was some question if post-acquisition if they’d put in the 20th century fanfare sequence... still wish they had brought that back.

And i think pretty much everything in this film done at the resistance camp is poorly done.

And i still dont buy into the Leia knew rey’s story thing. Even if this time i could see the foreshadowing they threw in there where leia tells rey to not be afraid of who she is.

So basically...what you’re saying is it’s a mess?

This is the thing: even if it’s “better” than some of the others...this type of review does not imply a good movie.

Once it leaves the box office, the warts will be looked at more closely than the high points - I fear.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Just because Iger blames it on fatigue doesn't mean it's the reason. A CEO of any company is going to try and spin reasons for why a film loses money. I find the fatigue excuse doesn't add up when people readily have consumed 3 Marvel films per year for the last 3 years, and are consuming Mandalorian and RoS in the same week. If the product is good people will come.

Solo was a story that not a lot of people were asking for, the production was a mess, the marketing did not do it justice, and it came out after a sea of other scifi films like Infinity War, Deadpool, etc.

If fatigue played a role, in my opinion, it was moreso because of movie fatigue rather than "Star Wars" fatigue. That was actually the reason why I didn't see it in theaters because I had already seen 2 films that month and didn't feel like seeing Solo because it didn't look worth it so I waited till netflix.

Yes...this is at least plausible...

Iger said that people had been given too much Star Wars....

Which is a patently stupid response worthy of what they give people when they increase the prices in Disney parks. Just dumb

“We found that guests didn’t want the tips included in the dining plan”

“Our data shows that guests want to pay for after hours magic...as opposed to just having that time included in the base ticket for everyone to use”

“We find that product “x” is an exceptional value...that’s why we increase the price 20% a year”


...they crossed the streams when they think Disney fanaticism and the excuses means they can push the Same and it translates 1:1 to Star Wars.

Woah boy on that...

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Well... sorta fatigue. And bad corporate decisions.

Obviously Iger didn't want to be crass and start throwing people under the bus and embarrassing themselves by saying, "We hired directors who we thought they knew what they were doing but it turned out they didn't have a clue. That's bad on us, too. And then to save face, we forced a good director to push out a product before it was ready and we lost the actors because of other contracts they had and it was already costing us twice as much as it should and thus, probably wouldn't see a profit. And so we hoped the brand and nostalgia would save it..."

But nostalgia and fandom didn't save it, because, on the audience side, it was a bit of fatigue and they weren't going to go crazy over an unfinished product.

...ok...

Now you’re almost there..,make the jump back to the dissension of the last Johnson...combined with the mistakes of solo...and we arrive at the “Greater Truth International Airport” together...

Gate 1

 

[Tony Perkis]

Yes...I am...

Because he basically is blaming fans and the public.

That is the easiest, most bullexcuse a Hollywood exec could give...

Translation: it’s everyone but US who’s to blame. It throws blame away from the product quality.

You think Iger is under some type of responsibility to tell the truth?

Come on.

At this point, believe what you want. There’s no helping you.

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

Making money but leaving some on the table is never a success for disney.

You always leave money on the table. Always. Nobody is that good. If you walk up to the table with the expectation of taking $100 from it - you do - then walk away and realize that there might have been another $5 you missed. Not bad. You're happy. You accept it.

Problem is that when you walk up to the table expecting to take that $100 and there are only two $20's laying there. Well, that's when you get a situation like you had in TLJ.

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

 

[GenerationX]

I think we can all agree that the trilogy should have been better mapped out up front.

I think we can also all agree that Adam Driver was a standout performer. I thought Daisy Ridley was great, too.

I think we can also all agree that "success" is measured in different ways. Short-term success, box office, is one thing, but Disney has much more than just box office on the line with the franchise. There are ripple effects to each movie. Taken as a standalone film and by the narrow definition of short-term success, Last Jedi is successful. As a standalone film, non-SW fan movie reviewers can appreciate its unpredictability ("bold choices").

But in the context of the saga, its place within the saga, and Disney's expectations for long-term success, Last Jedi is unsuccessful. Last Jedi tried so hard to expand the SW universe that it contradicted it.

Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones at least felt like SW films, but they were bad, plodding films. A course correction was necessary, and fans of the saga were rewarded with the faster-paced, better-written, and better-acted trilogy conclusion, Revenge of the Sith.

I fully expected the new trilogy to be about the new characters (Rey, Ren, Poe, and Finn). I would have been happy to see their adventures with the OT crew as the supporting players. That didn't really happen.

We got a serviceable New Hope remake that brought back old characters and introduced the new. We got a "one of these things is not like the (8) others" exercise with the movie in the middle that thinks it's a standalone film.

That's where the fast-paced, ret-conning, call-back-laden Rise of Skywalker comes in. Bringing back Palpatine results in getting Ian McDiarmid (and his gravitas) back for an excellent performance. The story is roller coaster ride fun, and the visuals are absolutely incredible. From a Disney perspective, the new film is completely successful. It's the most SW movie since the OT.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I think we can all agree that the trilogy should have been better mapped out up front.

I think we can also all agree that Adam Driver was a standout performer. I thought Daisy Ridley was great, too.

I think we can also all agree that "success" is measured in different ways. Short-term success, box office, is one thing, but Disney has much more than just box office on the line with the franchise. There are ripple effects to each movie. Taken as a standalone film and by the narrow definition of short-term success, Last Jedi is successful. As a standalone film, non-SW fan movie reviewers can appreciate its unpredictability ("bold choices").

But in the context of the saga, its place within the saga, and Disney's expectations for long-term success, Last Jedi is unsuccessful. Last Jedi tried so hard to expand the SW universe that it contradicted it.

Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones at least felt like SW films, but they were bad, plodding films. A course correction was necessary, and fans of the saga were rewarded with the faster-paced, better-written, and better-acted trilogy conclusion, Revenge of the Sith.

I fully expected the new trilogy to be about the new characters (Rey, Ren, Poe, and Finn). I would have been happy to see their adventures with the OT crew as the supporting players. That didn't really happen.

We got a serviceable New Hope remake that brought back old characters and introduced the new. We got a "one of these things is not like the (8) others" exercise with the movie in the middle that thinks it's a standalone film.

That's where the fast-paced, ret-conning, call-back-laden Rise of Skywalker comes in. Bringing back Palpatine results in getting Ian McDiarmid (and his gravitas) back for an excellent performance. The story is roller coaster ride fun, and the visuals are absolutely incredible. From a Disney perspective, the new film is completely successful. It's the most SW movie since the OT.

I think you’re being fair...

I may agree or disagree with you tomorrow

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

I think we can all agree that the trilogy should have been better mapped out up front.

I think we can also all agree that Adam Driver was a standout performer. I thought Daisy Ridley was great, too.

I think we can also all agree that "success" is measured in different ways. Short-term success, box office, is one thing, but Disney has much more than just box office on the line with the franchise. There are ripple effects to each movie. Taken as a standalone film and by the narrow definition of short-term success, Last Jedi is successful. As a standalone film, non-SW fan movie reviewers can appreciate its unpredictability ("bold choices").

But in the context of the saga, its place within the saga, and Disney's expectations for long-term success, Last Jedi is unsuccessful. Last Jedi tried so hard to expand the SW universe that it contradicted it.

Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones at least felt like SW films, but they were bad, plodding films. A course correction was necessary, and fans of the saga were rewarded with the faster-paced, better-written, and better-acted trilogy conclusion, Revenge of the Sith.

I fully expected the new trilogy to be about the new characters (Rey, Ren, Poe, and Finn). I would have been happy to see their adventures with the OT crew as the supporting players. That didn't really happen.

We got a serviceable New Hope remake that brought back old characters and introduced the new. We got a "one of these things is not like the (8) others" exercise with the movie in the middle that thinks it's a standalone film.

That's where the fast-paced, ret-conning, call-back-laden Rise of Skywalker comes in. Bringing back Palpatine results in getting Ian McDiarmid (and his gravitas) back for an excellent performance. The story is roller coaster ride fun, and the visuals are absolutely incredible. From a Disney perspective, the new film is completely successful. It's the most SW movie since the OT.

Not much disagreement. But it really goes to show how "out of his league" Rian Johnson was. He left the cupboard bare. Which was completely unprofessional, considering the director that stocked the cupboard had to follow his mess. Abrams had to write and direct an Iron Man sequel without the possibility of having Iron Man in the film. Great job soccer head. He couldn't even leave the main villain in the film.

So Abrams inherited the final piece of a trilogy and he had Porgs and Rose Tico to work with. And he went with neither of those options. Shows what a bang up job 'ol Rian did. Johnson needs to stick with Indy films. 'Cause he's way out of his league in this environment. He can make Looper 2. Following up a $150 million production is up his alley. Following up on a $2 Billion one - he's just inadequate. Which has been more than proven.

 

[JenniferS]

It’s true. All of it. And yet ... I still loved it. Can’t wait for NYE to see it a third time.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Even the “pro Disney” Hollywood analysts can’t hide the outlook now behind their cheeky sarcasm...

The gross of this one has a “chance” to equal episode 8 domestically...a chance...but overseas is down substantially:..

Best case scenario is $1.25 billion...not a loss but not really a victory...

Guess it’s “franchise fatigue”, huh? Can’t watch the mandolorian AND a movie huh?

One thing is for sure: if they hadn’t had a really good 4 day stetch over Christmas...it would be labeled a fail by all of Hollywood...getting to the $900-$1 range.

Yes...believe it or not...that’s not good.

And that doesn’t take into account Star Wars...which will always be a category unto itself...

I’m giving it my $12 tomorrow...strategically after the second weekend is tabulated and the overall run becomes clear.

I’ve always wanted to try Dolby cinema...haven’t you, Wendy?

 

[Wendy Pleakley]

Not much disagreement. But it really goes to show how "out of his league" Rian Johnson was. He left the cupboard bare. Which was completely unprofessional, considering the director that stocked the cupboard had to follow his mess. Abrams had to write and direct an Iron Man sequel without the possibility of having Iron Man in the film. Great job soccer head. He couldn't even leave the main villain in the film.

So Abrams inherited the final piece of a trilogy and he had Porgs and Rose Tico to work with. And he went with neither of those options. Shows what a bang up job 'ol Rian did. Johnson needs to stick with Indy films. 'Cause he's way out of his league in this environment. He can make Looper 2. Following up a $150 million production is up his alley. Following up on a $2 Billion one - he's just inadequate. Which has been more than proven.

Another repetitive rant about The Last Jedi complete with infantile name calling.

Get a life.

 

[choco choco]

There are ripple effects to each movie. Taken as a standalone film and by the narrow definition of short-term success, Last Jedi is successful. As a standalone film, non-SW fan movie reviewers can appreciate its unpredictability ("bold choices").

But in the context of the saga, its place within the saga, and Disney's expectations for long-term success, Last Jedi is unsuccessful. Last Jedi tried so hard to expand the SW universe that it contradicted it.

Actually, there was a logical place for the sequel trilogy to go, what Lucas has said about his overall plan for that trilogy went there, and Rian Johnson's film was the only one to actually touch upon and deliver on that underlying idea in the sequel trilogy.

Probably because Johnson is a good screenwriter who thinks of his stories the way a storyteller is supposed to, and he understood the overall arc of what George put into the Episodes 1-6 (which is very clear to anyone who pays attention). There is a VERY clear through line to the six film, double trilogy.

I'm glad Rian was able to actualize the idea on film somewhat. Lord knows Goerge found the community didn't get the story and didn't understand what the animating idea for the whole saga was. So he gave up.

 

[Wendy Pleakley]

I fully expected the new trilogy to be about the new characters (Rey, Ren, Poe, and Finn). I would have been happy to see their adventures with the OT crew as the supporting players. That didn't really happen.

It didn't? The first movie introduced and established the new characters before Han Solo was brought in. He had a large role, but not at the expense of the new "big three". Leia was sidelined for much of the Last Jedi, and Luke mostly filled the mentor role. The original cast all had minor roles in the final film, with the new trio taking the spotlight.

 

[erasure fan1]

And i still dont buy into the Leia knew rey’s story thing. Even if this time i could see the foreshadowing they threw in there where leia tells rey to not be afraid of who she is.

Unfortunately you have to do some mental gymnastics and create some head canon in order to make some things line up. But that was expected in my eyes. 8 took things in a different direction so you had to figure JJ would bring them back to the 7 trajectory. Unfortunately if you didn't make rise of skywalker a part 1 and 2, you were going to be glossing over a lot of convective tissue.

 

[Communicora]

And i still dont buy into the Leia knew rey’s story thing. Even if this time i could see the foreshadowing they threw in there where leia tells rey to not be afraid of who she is.

They should have left that out and then it could have been ambiguous as to whether or not Palpatine was lying about her lineage. Having her be a "nobody" was much more satisfying.