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The Star Wars sequel trilogy has been a topic of great debate among fans, as it brought significant changes to the beloved franchise. When Disney acquired Lucasfilm, they initiated the development of a new trilogy, leaving fans to wonder about the future of the series after the original trilogy ended in 1983 with “Return of the Jedi.” While Timothy Zahn’s books featuring Grand Admiral Thrawn initially explored this post-original trilogy era and are now loosely adapted by Dave Filoni, the Disney acquisition led to a reset of the canon, necessitating the creation of a new storyline.
This new narrative unfolded in the form of three films: “Episode VII – The Force Awakens” (2015), “Episode VIII – The Last Jedi” (2017), and “Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker” (2019). J. J. Abrams directed the first and final installments, while Rian Johnson directed the middle chapter. The sequel trilogy is often marked by a sense of internal conflict, with Abrams relying on nostalgia in “The Force Awakens,” Johnson taking the franchise in unexpected directions in “The Last Jedi,” and Abrams attempting to cater more to fan service in “The Rise of Skywalker.” This lack of cohesiveness resulted in a somewhat uneven and occasionally contradictory narrative.
Nevertheless, amidst the criticisms, there were some genuinely remarkable moments and ideas in the sequel trilogy. These moments represent the trilogy at its best, offering excitement and depth to both casual viewers and dedicated fans. Here, we highlight 11 of the standout moments from the Star Wars sequel trilogy.
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Star Wars: The 11 Best Moments from the Sequel Trilogy
Episode VII: The Force Awakens – Rey on Jakku
Right from the start, “The Force Awakens” effectively introduces the new concepts and characters of the trilogy, with a particular focus on the central hero, Rey, portrayed by Daisy Ridley. When we first encounter Rey, she’s a scavenger eking out a living on the desolate planet of Jakku. She’s self-reliant, possesses only vague memories of her family, and harbors dreams of embarking on her own adventures throughout the galaxy. This initial scenario draws clear parallels to Luke Skywalker’s situation in “A New Hope,” adhering to the franchise’s recurrent theme of familiar elements, yet still managing to set Rey apart as a distinct character.
Rey’s debut in “The Force Awakens” while scavenging for salvage amidst the wreckage of star destroyers is precisely what it should be. Accompanied by the exceptional new musical theme composed by John Williams specifically for her character, this sequence stands out as a remarkable moment in the entire Star Wars saga.
Episode VIII: The Last Jedi – The Holdo Maneuver
One of the notable new additions by Rian Johnson in “The Last Jedi” was Vice-Admiral Holdo, portrayed by Laura Dern. She assumed command of the Resistance when Leia Organa was incapacitated following an attack by the First Order. Leading the Resistance in a perilous escape from the First Order’s fleet, Holdo made a heroic sacrifice to provide the heroes with more time. This involved her guiding the star cruiser she was on into hyperspace, piercing directly through Supreme Leader Snoke’s flagship.
Her selfless act of sacrifice in the movie is truly remarkable and stands out as the most astonishing moment in the entire trilogy. Johnson’s direction in this sequence is exceptional, with a brief, impactful silence in the sound that heightens the intensity and conveys the sheer power of the action.
Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker – Kylo Ren vs Rey on the Death Star
The sequel trilogy is consistently praised for its exceptional lightsaber duels, and all three films delivered some of the most intense and emotionally charged saber battles in the entire Star Wars franchise. Among the many duels in “The Rise of Skywalker,” the standout one is the confrontation between Rey and Kylo Ren within the remnants of the second Death Star. Besides the visually stunning aspect of the battle, this sequence is remarkable for its portrayal of the characters.
Rey, our heroine, relies on her instincts and anger during the fight, while Kylo Ren exhibits a more measured and purposeful approach. This contrast illustrates how they are essentially mirror images of one another, reflecting their individual motivations and mental states at that moment. It underscores the complexity of these imperfect characters, each driven by their conflicting beliefs, and this duel serves as a powerful visual representation of that complexity.
Episode VIII: The Last Jedi – Snoke’s Death
The unexpected twist in “The Last Jedi,” where Supreme Leader Snoke is suddenly killed by Kylo Ren, stands out as one of the most surprising and positive elements of the film. In “The Force Awakens,” Snoke was portrayed as a significant figure, much like the Emperor in the original trilogy, and many anticipated he would have a prominent role throughout the entire sequel trilogy. Some fans even speculated that Snoke might have a deeper connection to the Star Wars universe, possibly being Darth Plagueis the Sith Lord in disguise. However, Rian Johnson subverted these expectations by having Kylo Ren kill Snoke abruptly and take control of the First Order halfway through “The Last Jedi.”
This creative choice gave Kylo Ren more independence and agency as a character, shifting the focus from his relationships with others to his own actions and decisions. Moreover, the Star Wars franchise is known for its iconic plot twists, such as the revelation of Darth Vader as Luke Skywalker’s father in “The Empire Strikes Back,” and this twist in “The Last Jedi” successfully continues that tradition in a dramatic and impressive manner.
Episode VII: The Force Awakens – The Introduction of Kylo Ren
Irrespective of the subsequent developments in the three films of the sequel trilogy, it’s impossible to overlook the exceptional opening scene. Following the iconic opening crawl in “The Force Awakens,” the movie immediately plunges into a First Order assault on an innocent village, as they seek a pivotal plot device. This sequence is notable not only for its portrayal of the First Order’s brutality but also for the thrilling escape attempt by Poe Dameron and FN-2187 (later known as Finn), who is horrified by the carnage. The sequence culminates with the introduction of Kylo Ren.
While Darth Vader remains an iconic cinematic villain, this scene effectively establishes Kylo Ren as a character possessing equal power, presence, intensity, and self-assuredness. The character’s costume design is exceptional, John Williams’ musical score is haunting, and the overall atmosphere of the sequence sets the stage for an exciting narrative to unfold.
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Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker – Ben Solo Battles the Knights of Ren
Although there were certainly some issues with Kylo Ren’s character development throughout the sequel trilogy, his redemption as Ben Solo in “The Rise of Skywalker” is undeniably one of the film’s standout sequences. While the scene where he converses with the spirit of his father, Han Solo, is excellent, it’s Ben’s action-packed battle against the Knights of Ren that truly delivers the kind of experience fans had been hoping for.
Regrettably, this was one of the rare moments where we got to delve deeper into Ben Solo’s character. Nevertheless, Adam Driver’s performance is exceptional, and he convincingly steps into the shoes of his grandfather, Anakin Skywalker, in terms of style and personality. Furthermore, despite its somewhat fantastical nature, the lightsaber exchange from Rey to Ben via the Force is a thrilling and visually impressive moment.
Episode VII: The Force Awakens – Rey’s Awe of the Universe
One of the standout elements of The Force Awakens is its portrayal of Rey, who is introduced to the mysteries and legends of the distant galaxy. At the beginning of the film, it’s evident that Rey has only known the desolation of Jakku, but one of the most memorable moments for her character occurs when she arrives on the planet Takodana alongside Han Solo. As they approach the planet, Rey is clearly captivated by its vibrant landscape. She expresses her surprise to Han, saying she “had no idea there was so much green in the entire galaxy.” This might be a brief moment, but it significantly enriches Rey’s character with depth and personality.
Episode VIII: The Last Jedi – Kylo Ren and Rey Fight the Praetorian Guards
After the demise of Supreme Leader Snoke, “The Last Jedi” presents an exceptional action sequence that stands out not only in the sequel trilogy but in the entire Star Wars saga. This sequence features Rey and Kylo Ren confronting the Praetorian Guards responsible for guarding Snoke. As Rey and Kylo join forces to take on these formidable guards, it becomes evident that their teamwork is remarkably effective. Throughout the film, a strong connection had developed between the two characters, and they both attempted to persuade the other to embrace their side of the dark side/light side conflict.
This dynamic adds an extra layer of tension to their battle, frequently forcing them to assist each other. Additionally, the sequence is visually striking, making it one of the most visually impressive lightsaber duels in the franchise, even though their lightsabers never actually clash.
Episode VII: The Force Awakens – Luke Skywalker Returns
The final moment we’d like to highlight from “The Force Awakens” also happens to be the movie’s closing scene. It marks the silent return of Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker to the Star Wars franchise, following Rey’s quest to locate him on the remote planet Ahch-To. Throughout the entire film, there had been anticipation surrounding Skywalker’s reentry into the narrative, and it culminates with Rey discovering him, approaching him, and offering him his old lightsaber. While the ensuing interaction in “The Last Jedi” may not have aligned with fans’ expectations, this conclusion in “The Force Awakens” was flawlessly executed.
It symbolized Rey’s commitment to her journey in becoming a Jedi by seeking out the franchise’s most legendary Jedi. It was flawlessly crafted, providing a gratifying ending for “The Force Awakens” while also generating excitement and anticipation for “The Last Jedi.”
Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker – The Voices of the Force
The conclusion of “The Rise of Skywalker” may not have provided the highly satisfying closure to the Skywalker Saga that fans had eagerly anticipated. However, there is a significant moment in the film that connects Rey’s journey to those of the previous characters in the saga. During a crucial moment when Rey appears to be losing her battle against the resurrected Darth Sidious, she receives comfort and encouragement from the spiritual voices of numerous Jedi who preceded her, including luminaries like Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda, Anakin Skywalker, Qui-Gon Jinn, Mace Windu, Kanan Jarrus, Ahsoka Tano, and others.
Although this scene is relatively brief, it holds considerable significance. It not only strengthens Rey’s connection to the storied heroes of Star Wars but also offers fans the opportunity to experience these beloved characters once more on the cinematic screen. With the recent announcement of a standalone Rey film centered around her efforts to establish a new Jedi Order, fans are eager to see how this pivotal scene might be further explored and developed in the future.
Episode VIII: The Last Jedi – Yoda and Luke
The final scene from the Star Wars sequel trilogy that we’ve highlighted here occurs in “The Last Jedi.” In this moment, Luke Skywalker, driven by desperation, visits the ancient Jedi Temple on Ahch-To with the intention of setting it ablaze. However, he hesitates and decides against it. At this crucial juncture, he is visited by the Force Ghost of Yoda, who takes matters into his own spectral hands by summoning a bolt of lightning to burn the temple. The subsequent conversation between Luke and Yoda in this scene is what makes it truly remarkable.
Yoda imparts a valuable lesson to Luke, emphasizing that there is still much for him to learn. He advises that his teachings to Rey and Ben Solo should not be limited to the ancient Jedi ways but should also encompass the failures of both him and the Jedi Order. This broader perspective is essential for their growth and development. The inclusion of Yoda in this scene is not merely a nod to fans; rather, it serves as a critical lesson for Luke to absorb. In a metatextual sense, it underscores the franchise’s necessity to evolve beyond its past and warns against overreliance on historical elements, as such reliance could lead to failure in the future.
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