Is it possible to stage a satisfying conclusion to one of the most beloved franchises of all time and a nine-film saga that has the entire world waiting with bated breath? The answer may be, not really. Reactions from Lucasfilm’s “Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker” are out and while many of them positive and some overwhelmed with emotion, the reactions feel decidedly mixed. A few sentiments and recurring themes run throughout the reactions we’ve collated. One: the movie feels rushed and it’s too bad J.J. Abrams didn’t have enough time to work on it. Two: it’s convoluted and possibly overstuff with plot (a lot of “still processing” thoughts). Three: some things don’t seem to make sense and Four: There seems to be an overt fan service that has turned some people off.
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By the way, there are no spoilers here, but beware of Twitter, apparently some major spoilers—and potentially the opening crawl—have leaked online.
Two Playlisters saw the film tonight, Gregory Ellwood and Griffin Schiller and their tweet reactions lead off our list. Ellwood doesn’t seem to be very positive at all and keeps most of his comment coy and vague, but says the only thing he really liked was Daisy Ridley. Schiller praises its pace and kineticism, suggesting the movie starts and never lets up, but ultimately says it’s “good” and not great.
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Two other telling responses are that of I09’s Germain Lussier—a huge “Star Wars” fan and Uproxx’s Mike Ryan, another lifelong fan of the galaxy far, far away. Both are somewhat positive, but definitely have their reservations and criticisms. Worse, some people seem to suggest—that as many feared, ‘Rise of Skywalker,’ course corrects many of the plot and narrative points set up in Rian Johnson’s “The Last Jedi.” Full review embargo lift doesn’t unveil itself until tomorrow night when you can read our review, but in the meantime, you can tide yourself over with these reactions.
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Um so the best thing I can say about Rise of Skywalker is that Daisy Ridley gives her best performance and for hardcore fans…ya get what you want. Wish JJ had another year to work on it. #RiseOfSkywalker
— Gregory Ellwood – VOTE – The Playlist 🎬 (@TheGregoryE) December 17, 2019
Man does #TheRiseOfSkwalker MOVE. This film hits the ground running & doesn’t let up. JJ’s energy is all over this thing. A Last Crusade style adventure. The bromance between Poe & Finn steals the film. Felt a bit more concerned w/plot than character, tad rushed, good not great. pic.twitter.com/S4tbDhXG35
— Griffin Schiller (@griffschiller) 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
At worst, I expected #TheRiseOfSkywalker to be a well made movie that I didn't like or whose story choices I disagreed with. I was not expecting a genuinely bad movie with video game plotting, thin characters, weak action and endless exposition of no consequence. Heartbreaking…
— Scott Mendelson (@ScottMendelson) December 17, 2019
https://twitter.com/adambvary/status/1206820739283746816?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1206820739283746816&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fvariety.com%2F2019%2Ffilm%2Fnews%2Fstar-wars-rise-of-skywalker-first-reactions-world-premiere-1203444389%2F
#TheRiseOfSkywalker is ummmmmm a lot! tons to love here, no shortage of crowd pleasing moments and twists and cameos, but also quite a bit to 🤔. some faves: jannah 💜, d-0 💚, finn of course 🖤. and what a lovely send off for our general leia 💕🚀💫
— Angie J. Han (@ajhan) December 17, 2019
RISE OF SKYWALKER could only have been ruder to Rian Johnson if they had motion-smoothed it
— Kyle Buchanan (@kylebuchanan) 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 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
Star Wars: #TheRiseOfSkwalker is TRULY a satisfying conclusion to the saga. It answers practically everything you want to know and more.. with some twists and turns. If you think you know what's going to happen, think again. #StarWars pic.twitter.com/72WsWzk21o
— Mansoor Mithaiwala (@MansoorAYM) December 17, 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
— Evil Eric Eisenberg (@eeisenberg) December 17, 2019
Well… #TheRiseOfSkywalker is a drastic departure from TLJ, but also not as invigorating as TFA. It is a movie packed with action (it’s seriously nonstop), but also jammed with fan service. @starwars fans – brace for the debates. pic.twitter.com/DjKo9ejRWw
— CinemaBlend (@CinemaBlend) 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
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker has everything you want and more.
Which I don’t necessarily think is a good thing.
I loved parts, I didn’t love others, and I’m leaving the theater very, very conflicted about it. pic.twitter.com/dOYAP6Ntbi
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) 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 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
https://twitter.com/SassyMamainLA/status/1206822257986662405?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1206822257986662405&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hollywoodreporter.com%2Fheat-vision%2Fstar-wars-rise-skywalker-first-reactions-1263015
https://twitter.com/Breznican/status/1206822816831553537?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1206822816831553537&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hollywoodreporter.com%2Fheat-vision%2Fstar-wars-rise-skywalker-first-reactions-1263015
It’s amazing. #lastjedi haters will be very pleased. #RiseOfSkywalker
— Ryan Parker (@TheRyanParker) December 17, 2019
https://twitter.com/ballmatthew/status/1206821241111203842?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1206821241111203842&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hollywoodreporter.com%2Fheat-vision%2Fstar-wars-rise-skywalker-first-reactions-1263015
Now THAT’S what I call an ending 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 #riseofskywalker #starwars @starwars
— Grae Drake (@graedrake) December 17, 2019
Lot to take in with #riseofskywalker It is the big adventure, lightsaber adventure I hoped for. A few things I still wonder if it was necessary but it was a very satisfying end to this new trilogy.
— Kristian Harloff (@KristianHarloff) December 17, 2019
