| 12.21.2019 – The “Skywalker Saga” has finally ended and the most anticipated film next to Avengers: Endgame was already here. Everyone has very high expectations for this release, but personally I felt there was too much hype and mixed reaction that divided the fandom. Three months before it was shown in local cinemas in the Philippines there were communities that offered advance ticket sales.
It was the ‘usual’ thing in the Philippines since the movie has a limited run in December due to the annual MMFF (Metro Manila Film Fest) that focuses more on the local films released during the duration of the Holiday Season than foreign film. I’m one of the very few to be able to see it in cinema on 20 December 2019 and surprisingly got the ticket on the day itself through an old M-Pass card from Sureseats.com that I had registered eight years ago. I didn’t purchase the ticket since the M-Pass account I had had enough points to get me a movie pass to see it less than the cost of what the pre-selling ones offered by local groups that organized the screening. It is more like getting invited in an advance screening again minus the commotion you seen in the red carpet. Greenbelt 1 may not be as sophisticated as the other cinemas or even the one that hosted the special premier it was enough to witness how JJ Abrams wrap up the last chapter. |
Prior to seeing the film there have been conflicting analogies how things will turn up, but I haven’t seen any trailers since Star Wars Celebration revealed that Ian McDiarmid appeared after they revealed the teaser trailer. “The Last Jedi” was the film that divided the fan community and everyone got shookt towards end.
There was certainly mixed reactions about this film too, but personal perspectives about these types of film I entered in caution as I lowered my expectation and try to appreciate the movie for what it was. The first thing about watching a movie is to be entertained, which is one of the reasons why you see these films. I’ve never claimed to be a fan or even an expert, but I grew up to only see Empire Strikes Back before a New Hope on a rented home video.
The way TROS was constructed the pacing was not on everyone side as I observe the cinema everyone was intensely focused on the film. There were not a single voice heard or even a slight of emotional reaction. This was something of a brand new experience that most Filipinos are so elated they’d be having chatter in the background, but this one was something of a rare occurrence.
If you just let the film move forward you’ll appreciate as I have not expecting too much just getting the ‘flow of things’ unravel like a gift. Surely, there was ‘fan service’ but the objective was to go through JJ Abrams movie one last time. The actor performances were superb and the late Carrie Fisher will never be forgotten. It was really tight narrative from beginning to the end. The outcome was something unexpected as usual emotions and reaction was only felt when everyone was already outside the cinema. No need to hand out the plot details, but it would have been great if JJ Abrams directed all three films and reveal of Rey’s heritage would be at the end of ‘The Last Jedi’ instead.
But we’ll never know that this would come to be coupled with the unexpected passing of Fisher. It was a remarkable film and it did try its best to wrap things up. If you’d ask me it was way better than ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ how things closed out. What is important here is not about finding out those little detail it is how satisfying the narrative ended in the that right direction without the explosions and grandeur.
Overall the Rise of Skywalker did what it was intended to do becoming the chapter of the ‘Skywalker Saga’ not a somber or high note, but in a good satisfying note even though amidst its mixed reactions. It might not be the gold standard in the Star Wars films, but it was a film that you only need to see it once. The original trilogy will always stand as the greatest among the trilogies for repeats for TROS it was a good story to see things close out and that’s about it.
Star Wars:L The Rise of Skywalker was in Philippine cinemas from 20-22 December 2019 and will resume screening on 8 January 2020 while the rest of the world has already shown it since 20 December 2019 distributed by 20th Walt Disney Studios.
Its also showing in Australia & New Zealand also on 20 Decmber2019 distributed by Walt Disney in Australia & New Zealand.
RATED: B+
NOTE: This film was screened publicly at Greenbelt 1 Cinema in the City of Makati, Metro Manila. This is reviewed with a personal opinion without spoilers not for you to agree or disagree about the views written by the author but to gain insight on his perspective about the film.
No comments:
Post a Comment