Category - Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker

Carrie Fisher: A Legacy Beyond the Stars

Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia

Carrie Fisher, known universally as the indomitable Princess Leia (and later General Leia Organa) in the Star Wars Universe, left behind a legacy that transcends the realms of cinema, inspiring generations and embodying strength, resilience, and the power of transformation.

Born on October 21, 1956, into Hollywood royalty, Fisher was destined for a life in the limelight. Her role in Star Wars, beginning with “A New Hope” in 1977, catapulted her to worldwide fame. As Princess Leia Organa, Fisher wasn’t just another character in a sci-fi saga; she represented a beacon of hope, leadership, and empowerment in a male-dominated genre.

Princess Leia’s impact was immediate and profound. Fisher’s portrayal brought a new kind of heroine to the screen: a leader who was both fierce and compassionate, commanding respect and exuding authority. This character broke the mold of the traditional damsel in distress, showing that women could be at the forefront of rebellion and change.

Beyond her iconic buns and sharp wit, Leia’s character arc mirrored the challenges and growth Fisher faced in her own life. Leia’s transition from a princess to a general in the series paralleled Fisher’s evolution from an actress to an influential figure in mental health advocacy and a celebrated writer.

Fisher’s open discussion of her struggles with bipolar disorder and addiction was revolutionary. She turned her personal battles into a public conversation, destigmatizing mental health issues and providing a voice for those often silenced. Her books, including the semi-autobiographical “Postcards from the Edge,” offered an unfiltered look into the complexities of her life, filled with humor and brutal honesty.

Fisher’s impact on Star Wars extended beyond the original trilogy. Her return in the sequels, especially in “The Force Awakens” and “The Last Jedi,” was a powerful reminder of her timeless influence. She was not only a figure of nostalgia but a continued source of inspiration, with Leia’s story evolving to mirror the changes in society’s perception of women in leadership.

Her final appearance in “The Rise of Skywalker,” posthumously, was a poignant tribute to both the character and the actress. Leia’s enduring presence in the Star Wars universe is a testament to Fisher’s immeasurable impact on the franchise and its fans.

Fisher’s legacy in Star Wars is interwoven with her advocacy, her writing, and her unapologetic authenticity. She showed the world that there is strength in vulnerability, power in speaking out, and that heroes can come in many forms.

As we remember Carrie Fisher, we celebrate not just the character she played but the person she was – fierce, funny, flawed, and fundamentally transformative. Her legacy as Princess Leia and as an advocate for mental health continues to inspire, reminding us that our struggles do not define us, but they can empower us.

Carrie Fisher’s journey with Star Wars is a poignant reminder of the power of storytelling, the importance of representation, and the impact one person can have on the world. Her light continues to shine in the hearts of millions, a beacon of hope and resilience in a galaxy not so far away. Her force will forever be with us.

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Where Rise of Skywalker Went Wrong

Rise of Skywalker promotional image

It’s fair to say that Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019) received a mixed reception from audiences and critics. On one hand, many fans were excited to see the conclusion of the latest trilogy in the Star Wars franchise and a culmination of the decades-long Skywalker saga. The return of Ian McDiarmid’s Palpatine and Billy Dee Williams’ legendary Lando Calrissian were welcomed by many, who appreciated these and other nods to the original trilogy. However, some were disappointed with the handling of key characters and a jumbled intertwining of plot elements, ultimately feeling that the film failed to live up to expectations.

Many critics noted that The Rise of Skywalker tried to please everyone, but in doing so, failed to take risks and deliver a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy. It’s easy to understand the weight of expectation bearing down upon a production that needed to wrap up so many character arcs in as succinct and entertaining a fashion as possible, but some felt that the film was overly reliant on fan service and nostalgic moments, and that it retconned important aspects of the previous films. Most obvious were the dismissals of elements from The Last Jedi that were unpopular with some segments of the Star Wars fandom, including an embarrassing exclusion of the character Rose from participating in the action, an apologetic return to worship of Jedi rites and the erasure of one of the elements that made Rey most interesting – her apparent independence from the known Sith and Jedi bloodlines.

Further criticism surrounded the film’s pacing; indicating that so many plot points were introduced as to make the conclusion to the main characters’ arcs feel rushed. Trying to fit such a significant diversity of story elements into one movie arguably resulted in a cluttered and confusing narrative. Further adding to the visual confusion, many considered the reliance on CGI and special effects excessive.

On a positive note, the performances exhibited by key cast members was roundly praised. Particular enthusiasm was granted to young leads Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac and the dynamic Adam Driver. The film’s action sequences were also well received, with some calling them among the best in the franchise.

Like every film in the nine-feature run of the main Skywalker saga, in terms of box office performance, The Rise of Skywalker was a commercial success. The film comfortably grossed more than $1 billion worldwide. However, it was not as well received as The Force Awakens (2015) or even the divisive The Last Jedi (2017); ultimately receiving the lowest Rotten Tomatoes critical score of any Star Wars film to date.

Given these factors, it’s clear that The Rise of Skywalker was a polarizing film that received a mixed response from audiences and critics. While it was a commercial success and had its fair share of fans, many felt that it failed to deliver a satisfying conclusion to the latest Star Wars trilogy and fell short of expectations. Since we sadly won’t see the unproduced Colin Trevorrow epic play out, or witness where Rian Johnson could have taken the story for its concluding chapter, we’ll have to accept this as the finale of the central saga. Fortunately, we’ll always have The Mandalorian and Andor to lean upon as this vivid universe expands beyond the adventures of a few gifted families.

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Skywalker Rises on Disney+ This May the Fourth

Star Wars - The Rise of Skywalker

It’s unclear as to whether this was always Disney’s plan, or its release to the streaming platform has been accelerated in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the final installment of the Skywalker saga, Star Wars Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker, is set to arrive on Disney+ from 4 May, 2020. Yes, Star Wars Day, May the Fourth is finally coinciding with a major release.

Disney+ has been a boon for fans of the Star Wars Universe, with the other eight episodes of the Skywalker saga already available there, along with Rogue One, Solo, a new season of the Clone Wars animated series and the brilliant debut season of The Mandalorian. The arrival of The Rise of Skywalker is icing on the cake, however, as it brings together all nine episodes in a convenient format in most global territories.

Now, even if most of us remain stuck in isolation as protection from a real-world threat to civilization, we have an excuse to take a mental break from the doom-and-gloom and to embrace the escape to an incomparable creative universe.

While you wait, the launch announcement video from Disney is available below, to help set the scene. Or, of course, you can start your movie marathon right now, so that you complete The Last Jedi by May the Third, in anticipation of what is to come. May the force be with you… always.

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