STAR WARS: EPISODE IX: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER Movie Reaction! | First Time Watch! | Daisy Ridley
Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖Palpatine's return and his role in creating Snoke shocked the host.
- ❖The revelation of Rey being Palpatine's granddaughter was a major surprise.
- ❖The host experienced intense relief when Chewbacca, initially thought dead, was revealed to be alive.
- ❖C-3PO's memory wipe was distressing, but its restoration was celebrated.
- ❖General Hux being the First Order spy, motivated by hatred for Kylo Ren, was an unexpected twist.
- ❖Kylo Ren's redemption as Ben Solo and his sacrifice for Rey were deeply moving.
- ❖Rey adopting the Skywalker name at the end was a 'beautiful' and 'sweet' conclusion.
- ❖The host appreciated the portrayal of Stormtroopers gaining free will, expanding on Finn's unique story.
Insights
1Palpatine's Orchestration of the Dark Side
The host reacts with surprise to the revelation that Palpatine created Snoke and was 'every voice' Kylo Ren heard, framing him as the ultimate puppet master behind the First Order.
Host exclaims 'Oh, this guy.' and 'That's crazy.' upon Palpatine's claims.
2Rey's Palpatine Lineage and the Weight of Her Past
The host is shocked by the twist that Rey is Palpatine's granddaughter, emphasizing how this revelation forces her to confront her identity and the dark side within her.
Host reacts with 'That's crazy.' and 'Whoa. You are a Palpatine. Whoa.' to the reveal.
3The Emotional Impact of Character 'Deaths' and Returns
The host experiences intense relief when Chewbacca, initially believed to be killed by Rey's Force lightning, is revealed to be alive on a different transport, underscoring the emotional investment in beloved characters.
Host exclaims 'Oh my god. Did we really? There's no way that's how Chewy goes.' then 'Oh, thank God. I knew it. I was like, you can't kill him like that. There's no way in hell.'
4C-3PO's Memory Sacrifice and Restoration
The host expresses deep distress over C-3PO's memory wipe to translate Sith runes, viewing it as a tragic loss of history, but is relieved when R2-D2 restores his memories, preserving the legacy of the original trilogy characters.
Host states 'Man, I hate that he lost his memory.' and later 'Finally. Memory restoration complete. So cool. Yes.'
5General Hux as a Reluctant Spy
The host is genuinely surprised by the reveal that General Hux, a prominent villain, is the First Order spy, driven by his hatred for Kylo Ren rather than loyalty to the Resistance.
Host exclaims 'I'M THE SPY. OH [__] We don't have much time. I knew it. What? No way. Okay. I wouldn't have seen that coming. What?'
6Kylo Ren's Redemption and Sacrifice
The host celebrates Kylo Ren's transformation back to Ben Solo, his return to the light side, and his selfless act of giving his life force to revive Rey, noting the 'beautiful' and 'sad' conclusion to his arc and his reunion with his family in the Force.
Host states 'I love him. I'm so glad he has a redemption.' and 'Did he just give his life for yours? No.'
7Rey's Chosen Identity as a Skywalker
The host finds the ending 'beautiful' and 'sweet' as Rey chooses the name Skywalker, symbolizing her adoption into a family and legacy beyond blood, and her acceptance of her path as a Jedi.
Host reacts with 'RAY SKYWALKER. OH, SHE TOOK THEIR LAST NAME.' and 'that touched my heart. Wow, that ending was so sad and sweet.'
8The Evolution of Stormtrooper Free Will
The host expresses appreciation for the film expanding on Finn's story by revealing that he was not an anomaly, but part of a company of Stormtroopers who mutinied against firing on civilians, highlighting the unexpected capacity for free will within their ranks.
Host states 'I never thought in a million years that the Stormtroopers ever had like free will or ever had a mind of their own or like I didn't think that was possible. So, when Finn showed up, I was like, 'Oh, he was a defect.''
Notable Moments
Host's strong emotional reaction to the initial reveal of Palpatine's return and his role in creating Snoke.
This moment sets the tone for the host's emotional investment, highlighting the shock value of a major villain's unexpected return and his deep connection to previous antagonists.
The host's intense distress and subsequent relief regarding Chewbacca's apparent death and miraculous survival.
This demonstrates the powerful emotional connection viewers have to long-standing characters, and how narrative twists involving their fate can evoke strong, immediate reactions.
The host's genuine surprise and exclamations upon the revelation that General Hux was the First Order spy.
This twist subverts expectations for a clear villain, adding complexity to the antagonist faction and highlighting the host's engagement with character motivations.
The host's emotional response to C-3PO's memory wipe and later restoration.
This moment underscores the sentimental value of legacy characters and their 'memories' to the overarching narrative, and the relief when that history is preserved.
The host's appreciation for the 'magnetic' dynamic and fight scenes between Rey and Kylo Ren/Ben Solo.
This highlights a core appeal of the sequel trilogy's central conflict and relationship, emphasizing the visual and emotional impact of their interactions.
The host's tears of happiness upon seeing Lando Calrissian's allied fleet arrive to support the Resistance.
This captures the powerful theme of hope and unity, demonstrating how the film's climax resonates with the audience's desire for collective triumph against overwhelming odds.
The host's emotional reaction to Leia's death and Chewbacca's grief.
This reflects the profound impact of losing an iconic character and the emotional weight carried by the remaining original trilogy characters, particularly Chewbacca's bond with Leia.
The host's 'beautiful' reaction to Rey choosing the name Skywalker at the film's conclusion.
This moment encapsulates the theme of chosen family and legacy, resonating deeply with the host's interpretation of Rey's journey of self-discovery and belonging.
Quotes
"That's crazy. Darth Vader is his grandfather. That's crazy to like. It's this bloodline."
"Oh my god. Did we really? There's no way that's how Chewy goes."
"Oh, thank God. I knew it. I was like, you can't kill him like that. There's no way in hell."
"I'M THE SPY. OH [__] We don't have much time. I knew it. What? No way. Okay. I wouldn't have seen that coming. What?"
"I love him. I'm so glad he has a redemption."
"Oh, you give the people hope and they will come."
"I think my biggest thing that I was obsessed with with both of them being in these last three films was that cool connection they had with one another..."
"I feel like we can't truly be our authentic selves and be the best that we can be until we actually face our own demons within ourselves."
"I never thought in a million years that the Stormtroopers ever had like free will or ever had a mind of their own or like I didn't think that was possible. So, when Finn showed up, I was like, 'Oh, he was a defect.'"
"I was so upset that they took his memory away and I thought he wasn't going to get back cuz I'm like, 'No, that means you're erasing Luke. You're erasing Leia. You're you're erasing everybody and anything we know.'"
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