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Credit: LucasfilmStar Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker (2019) is easily the most hated movie in the franchise, which is saying a lot when you consider just how controversial Star Wars: Episode VIII — The Last Jedi (2017) was when it was released in theaters.
While that film remains equally hated, the final chapter in the sequel trilogy became the final nail in the coffin for fans, largely down to some truly baffling storytelling decisions.
But will we learn to appreciate the film over time? Maybe even all three? Well, it’s not impossible. After all, who could have predicted that George Lucas’ prequel trilogy — which was panned by fans and critics alike for so many years — would suddenly garner newfound appreciation? Although we think the animated series The Clone Wars probably helped.
Though it might be blasphemous to say so, there are a number of things The Rise of Skywalker gets right. But, unfortunately, there are even more things that leave viewers scratching their heads or rolling their eyes in second-hand embarrassment.
So, here are the seven dumbest moments in The Rise of Skywalker.
7. Hux Being Revealed as a Spy
One of the most baffling decisions in The Last Jedi was to make General Armitage Hux (Domhnall Gleeson) a comical character. It’s an attempt that’s obvious from his very first scene, in which he has some hilarious back-and-forth dialogue with Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac). And it’s a decision the movie commits to from start to finish.
But while Hux is indeed funny throughout (despite excess comedy being one of The Last Jedi‘s many problems), we can’t forget that he’s a fascist maniac who’s responsible for destroying five planets in Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015). In fact, he may just have the highest kill count of any villain in Hollywood history.
However, the final chapter in the trilogy takes things a step too far by revealing that Hux is actually a spy who’s been feeding information from the First Order to the Resistance, as a means to dethrone Kylo Ren (Adam Driver). So does this mean Hux is a good guy? Not quite, but it does make him less of a bad guy.
Five planets, people.
6. Finn’s Secret
It’s no mystery that there was a lot more planned for ex-stormtrooper Finn (John Boyega). In Star Wars: Episode VII — The Force Awakens, he gets just as much screen time as Rey (Daisy Ridley), but is inexplicably side-lined in the sequels, a poor decision on Lucasfilm’s part, which the actor was vocal about following the release of The Rise of Skywalker.
One of the weirdest things about the 2019 film, however, is that it actually spends some time reminding us about this problem, as there are a few moments in which Finn is about to reveal a burning secret to his dear friend, Rey (Daisy Ridley).
We first learn about this secret when the gang is sinking in quicksand on the planet Pasaana. After they manage to escape, Poe is quick to remind Finn about what he said to Rey, but that conversation goes absolutely nowhere. And later, there’s yet another moment in which Finn is about to confess this big secret to his best friend, but again, nothing.
By the time the credits roll, we’re none the wiser.
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5. Chewbacca’s Death
Many fans continue to criticize director Rian Johnson’s The Last Jedi for having far too many “gotcha” moments, decisions that appear subversive but are simply put there for shock value and nothing else. Unfortunately, The Rise of Skywalker is an equally guilty culprit, and you’ve probably already recalled the worst example of this in the movie.
Using Force Telekinesis against one another, Rey and Kylo Ren engage in a “tug of war” while on Pasaana as they fight over a First Order carrier ship that we learn is holding a recently captured Chewbacca (Joonas Suotamo).
In an attempt to gain the upper-hand, Rey uses Force Lightning (which we guess she inherited from her grandfather, Emperor Palpatine), but inadvertently obliterates the ship. But don’t worry, because we quickly discover that Chewie is alive and well, as, of course, it was a different ship.
Why director JJ Abrams thought this was a good idea is beyond comprehension. Not only is it nothing more than a cheap thrill, the film reveals it to be a lie just moments later.
What’s that sound Chewie makes when he’s angry?
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4. C-3PO’s Death
The final trailer for The Rise of Skywalker is incredible, promising some truly epic moments while a hair-raising rendition of John Williams’ iconic score plays. It sent the Internet into a craze, and fans were torn in half Darth Maul-style when the trailer teased the death of iconic character C-3PO (Anthony Daniels), who we’ve watched in all three Star Wars trilogies.
“What are you doing there, 3PO?” Poe Dameron asks the droid. “Taking one last look, sir,” C-3PO replies, “at my friends.” Yikes, we’re getting emotional just thinking about that scene from the trailer. So, does this mean that the corresponding scene in the movie renders us utterly inconsolable? Nope.
C-3PO gets his memory wiped so that he can reveal the location of the Sith homeworld, Exegol. Initially, the decision to reboot him carries some emotional weight, but it’s quickly played for jokes, and just like Chewbacca’s fake-out death, it becomes nothing more than an utterly inconsequential plot decision as he’s revealed to be okay just moments later.
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3. “Palpatine’s Back”
Just seconds into the movie, we see the return of Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid), the Sith Lord thought to be dead for 30 years (although the first line of the opening text crawl gives this away). The reason for his return? Well, he’s a Sith Lord, and the Force is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be unnatural, right?
Well, speaking of unnatural, in the next scene, we get an explanation that feels so contrived. But it’s not necessarily the reason behind the Emperor’s resurrection that’s the problem — it’s the way in which it’s explained. “Palpatine’s back,” Poe Dameron tells his fellow rebels, despite no one having ever mentioned the Sith Lord in the previous two films.
When others ask how this is possible, one rebel (Dominic Monaghan) says, “Dark science. Cloning. Secrets only the Sith knew.” But how does he know this? “So, Palpatine’s been out there all this time, pulling the strings,” Poe continues. “Always in the shadows,” Leia (Carrie Fisher) adds, “From the very beginning.”
That’s quite a leap, guys. But, somehow, you’re all absolutely right.
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2. The Final Order
Now that we know Palpatine was operating behind the scenes from the very beginning (which is another way of saying that directors Rian Johnson and JJ Abrams couldn’t sit down together and have a simple conversation), we’re shown just how much firepower the Sith Lord has at his disposal, which comes in the form of countless Star Destroyers!
A gazillion ships emerge from the surface of Exegol like a scene out of Night of the Living Dead. Where have these zombie Star Destroyers been all this time? And who’s piloting them? Not only are we expected to believe that the Emperor has been hiding for 30 years, but apparently he’s also had enough power under his belt to level the galaxy this whole time.
General Pryde (Richard E. Grant) later says that Palpatine’s resources will multiply the First Order fleet a “thousandfold,” so surely this armada of Star Destroyers would have come in quite useful during, say, The Last Jedi, when the Resistance was just moments away from total annihilation?
What’s even happening at this point?
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1. “They Fly Now!”
While this may not necessarily be the dumbest moment in the movie, it is a scene that has become a hugely popular Internet meme, largely because it summarizes the overall incompetence that is the script. As such, it has, ahem, “flown” right onto the top of our list.
While Rey, Finn, Poe, C-3PO, BB-8, and Chewbacca are pursued across the desert of Pasaana on their speeders by First Order troopers, they’re inexplicably shocked to see that their enemies are in possession of jetpacks. So, when the troopers take to the air to gain vantage points over the rebels, some characters aren’t shy about voicing their incredulity.
“Oh, they fly now!” C-3PO says. “They fly now?” Finn then says, unable to believe his eyes. “They fly now!” Poe concludes, equally astonished. While it’s intended to trigger a chuckle or two, this scene makes no sense. Jetpacks are incredibly common in the faraway galaxy, so it’s pretty mind-boggling to think that these characters are surprised to see them in action.
What do you think are the dumbest moments in Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker? Let us know in the comments below!