How To Fail At Character - The Rise of Skywalker

The Rise of Skywalker was disliked by most people who saw it. In this video essay, I ask why this star wars film failed to resonate with its viewers, and I teach some valuable lessons on how to do a character well...

How To Fail At Character - The Rise of Skywalker

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[TheCloserLook]

Hey guys,

I'm happy to announce that as of today my patron exclusive discord is now permanently public, and anyone can join. If you'd like to join the community and have a chat with me and the rest of my viewers, feel free to use the link down below.


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Best,
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[bendrescher]

“Somehow, Palpatine returned”
I laughed so hard in the theatre. I can’t believe the writers actually approved that.

[vsGoliath]

"Remember kids, it doesn't matter if it's good, just that it makes money."
-Mark Hamill, being brutally real.

[jsullivan]

Palpatine tells her to kill him so he can take over her body… she literally kills him and he never took over her body?

The fuck was the point of the line

[caitlyn]

The last scene of ROTJ with Han, Luke, Leia and everyone else feels like coming home and celebrating with family.
At the end of the sequels, I've just lost my whole family for no reason at all and I'm left with a bunch of strangers.

[phillipsandgren]

The problem with Rey is that they wanted her to be like this perfect role model, feminine figure. Instead of creating a perfect role model, they made a flawless character. Flaws are the main ingredient to a good character.

[josephmagil]

Palpatine shouldn't have frightened Rey when he met her, he should have warmly welcomed her like his long-lost granddaughter. This would have made it more difficult for Rey to oppose him. A sympathetic villain is more difficult to deal with. Make Rey feel that it would be wrong to kill him. Make Rey feel guilty for wanting to kill him. Make her realize that she's about to destroy the only family that she has. Make her struggle over the decision to kill, not merely struggle to perform the act itself. Make Palpatine wily, not just powerful.

[queencancerous]

My problem is that she literally has no struggle. Think about it, first time Luke fights Vader he gets his ass kicked and loses his hand. First time Rey fights Kylo, she kicks his ass her first time ever using a lightsaber.

[Medaumplay]

Rey's (personal) motivation throughout movies 7 and 8: Her family.
What palpatine is to rey: her family.
What palpatine offers rey: *power*

Such a missed opportunity

[RyanBeane]

I already forgot everything in this movie.

[apocryphalbebop]

Sheev Palpatine in Revenge of the Sith: _Manipulates Anakin into doing his bidding by playing on his basic, fundamental character flaws and character strengths, those being fear of loss and his desire to protect and avenge the people he lost at any moral cost. Doesn’t ever truly show how evil he is to his pupil until he’s squarely under his thumb_

Sheev Palpatine in Rise of Skywalker: _cackles menacingly and shoots lightning at everyone_

[rsarin]

Your plot made me realize that in the movies Rey has no struggle. There is never a time where she or her friends are in danger, and she is unable to save them. We see Anakin unable to save his loved ones and that leads him to the dark side. But Rey never suffered any negative consequences. Never was she ever too weak to save someone or realize that if she uses the dark side she can save others. I think having her show some weakness like you mentioned would have made Palpatine's proposal significantly more dramatic.

[SpecialEDy]

Prequel Anakin: Wants to save those he loves, wants power, respect, and to be appreciated.
Prequel Palpatine: Promises or gives these needs to Anakin.

OG Trilogy Luke: Wants to protect friends, wants to avenge his Father, wants to accomplish his destiny.
OG Trilogy Palpatine: You want to kill your father, you need to save your friends by doing it, it is your destiny.

Sequels Rey: wants family, wants adventure.
Sequels Palpatine: I can give you unlimited power.

[princessirulancorrino]

I feel bad for John Boyega, he’s a very good actor and a true Star Wars fan. Imagine being a big Star Wars fan and they gave you a crappy role in the worst Star Wars movies of all time

[sebastiaankrul]

Movie: "somehow, palpatine has returned"
Me: somehow, my desire to watch this movie hasn't

[tbronzwaer]

Instead of (pretend)killing Chewie using Dark Force powers, what if Rey had *saved* Chewie with those powers instead - a powerful temptation to turn to the Dark Side. Then maybe later on, another friend is in peril, and it appears as though Rey has to choose between letting them die or using her Dark Side powers. But instead, she brilliantly finds a way to save her friend while relying only on the Light Side...

[alonztec]

Luke: arguably one of the best and coolest characters ever written
Anakin: literally the chosen one, became one of the most powerful Sith Lords ever, saved his son in a moment of redemption
Rey “Skywalker”: hehe force go

[johngoldfield]

they literally never knew what to do with Rey shes a stranger from the beginning to the end

[mirceadonciu]

When the review is more memorable then the movie

[Kaz_Rytveld]

It's incredible how one dude made a better story in a couple weeks tops, than a team of writers who had presumably much longer and much better pay.