Yahoo Movies Early reactions to 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' find critics divided
The premiere of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker rolled into Hollywood last night, and while we'll have to wait another day or so for the reviews, the early reactions are in.
Read more: JJ Abrams on his one Force Awakens mistake
And the final movie in the current trilogy appears to have critics and industry commentators divided.
Some loved it, calling it 'an epic'.
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
When people talk about #StarWars , they talk about their childhoods. Their best memories. The people they loved and shared it with.#TheRiseOfSkywalker brings back all those feelings. And then some.
I absolutely loved it.
And now I feel ... pic.twitter.com/5wkQh6v97G— Anthony Breznican (@Breznican) 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
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
But others have described feeling 'bummed', while one critic has called it 'frustrating' and 'an apology for The Last Jedi' (in fact, a few have noted that it feels like J.J. Abrams appears has steam-rollered what director Rian Johnson did in the last Star Wars movie).
RISE OF SKYWALKER could only have been ruder to Rian Johnson if they had motion-smoothed it
— Kyle Buchanan (@kylebuchanan) 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
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
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
#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
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
— Eric Eisenberg (@eeisenberg) December 17, 2019
I’ve seen #StarWarsTheRiseofSkywalker. It’s... a lot. There’s a lot I like and some I loved but overall my feelings are pretty mixed. It felt like an apology for The Last Jedi in some ways and a sequel to The Force Awakens in many, which I found frustrating. pic.twitter.com/6m8sOQWhTx
— Terri Schwartz (@Terri_Schwartz) December 17, 2019
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 - The Playlist 🎬 (@TheGregoryE) December 17, 2019
It's worth noting, of course, that early reactions don't always shape the review landscape of a movie.
Read more: Rise of Skywalker characters could ‘spin off’
Many of the critics airing their views may not be the ones actually penning reviews themselves, and while a fair few appear to have reservations, opinions could mellow in the next day or so.
Initial reactions to The Mandalorian were breathless, but the first reviews were a mixed bag (with critics now seemingly more on board with the series).
Either way, when the review embargo lifts, we may have a better idea of what to expect from Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the ninth movie in the epic space saga which began back in 1977.
Starring Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Anthony Daniels, Naomi Ackie, Domhnall Gleeson, Richard E. Grant, Lupita Nyong'o, Keri Russell, Joonas Suotamo, Kelly Marie Tran, Ian McDiarmid, and Billy Dee Williams, it's out across the UK on December 19.
