Cast: Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega

Directed By: J.J. Abrams

Star Wars series has a whole historical significance in American Pop Culture. This just not a film but an outsize cultural entity that is cherished by all the movie lovers. But the writers, Chris Terrio, Derek Connoly, Colin Trevorrow, and Director JJ Abrams waste the opportunity to forge a new ground left by the previous installment. 

The story begins with a scroll that informs us that Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid), who was defeated at the end of The Return Of The Jedi, isn't dead and has built the largest fleet of Star Destroyers ever assembled. This sets the ball rolling and raises the intrigue quotient. 

Emperor Palpatine has apparently been in the background while creating the First Order. He is instrumental in initiating Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) into the order and also had a hand in bringing Ren and Snoke (from the previous two films) together to worship at the altar of the original antagonist, Darth Vader. 

The plot accelerates after Ren locates Palpatine and expresses to kill him. The zombie Emperor not only reveals his ultimate plan to beat the Resistance but also his specific plan for capturing Rey (Daisy Ridley), in order to bring her over to the dark side. Ren has a change of heart. He joins forces with Palpatine and pursues Rey, who is struggling with her identity. He tries to convince her with, "The dark side is our nature, surrender it to me".

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The Rise of Skywalker is visually brilliant. The cinematography is by Dan Mindel and the production design by Rick Carter and Kevin Jenkins. The colors, planets, and showdowns between tiny, insect-like space ships and massive, hulking ones are all wondrous. The unforgettable soundtrack by John Williams also lifts the material – in places, it’s the only thing infusing energy into the convoluted narrative. But ultimately, the demanding length of 142-minutes exposes the storytelling, which remains serviceable but hardly inventive or singular. There isn’t enough voice or heart.

John Boyega and Oscar Isaac are the popular duos who are given a whole lot to play with their characters this time around and they add the right comedic as well as dramatic elements to the picture. They're not just on the coattails of Rey but instead stand out in their own right which is entertaining to watch. Finn-Poe shippers may not get the endgame they were looking for but they'll still be left with happy smiles towards the end. 

The focus on the trio friendship surprisingly doesn't feel enforced and rather the three stars play off of each other. A special shoutout to Chewbacca, who is solely responsible for the genuine tear-jerking moments, which are quite a few while BB-8, C-3PO, and R2-D2 continue to flutter our childhood hearts. 

When it comes to the OGs, the inclusion of Billy Dee Williams as Lando Calrissian is just what the doctor prescribed. Mark Hamill is exactly where he needs to be - at the right place, at the right time and specifically, for the right purpose. What Abrams delivers with the late Carrie Fisher's inclusion is just the apt and heartwarming tribute that Princess Leia deserved as the pitch-perfect sendoff.

John Williams' composition takes you across the journey more soothing and effectively. Williams will always be the true hero of what makes Star Wars such an unforgettable franchise.

Overall, the film is a massive mammoth and technically impressive. It does not offer anything that's new and exciting.