STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER
****
Dir: JJ Abrams (12A, 155 mins)
The Skywalker saga that started way back in 1977 with the original Star Wars is now coming to an end 42 years later. Originally conceived by George Lucas as a nine-part serial, he decided to start in the middle, hence Episode IV being released first; once technology had caught up with his imagination in 1999, he could revisit the galaxy far, far away with technically dazzling but emotionally empty prequels. Critically mauled but still successful, it took 10 years before fanboy JJ Abrams crafted The Force Awakens with nostalgic aplomb. Rian Johnson brought us The Last Jedi, with mixed results, and now safe-pair-of-hands Abrams is back to tractor-beam the Skywalker saga home. Daisy Ridley’s Rey may discover her true destiny and Adam Driver’s dastardly Kylo Ren will hopefully receive a comeuppance. The late Carrie Fisher will also be returning, edited footage of her from previous films apparently seamlessly woven into the narrative. Also making a welcome return is Lando Calrissian himself, Billy Dee Williams, and Ian McDiarmid’s devious Emperor, believed dead after being thrown down a shaft in a half-built Death Star. The spectacle will be present, the mythology expanded and hopefully the end result will be worthy of all its predecessors. May the Force be with us… always.
Opens Dec 19
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