Why ’Return of the Jedi’ Works (And ‘The Rise of Skywalker’ Doesn’t)
Star Wars: Return of the Jedi and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker are very similar movies. They’re both the third parts of trilogies, they both begin with their heroes off on side quests, they include the heroes’ final conversations with their mentors (and with Force Ghosts of their other mentors). The heroes’ learn information that clarifies their origins, while the rest of the good guys go on a mission and receive aid from a planet’s native population (and also from Lando Calrissian). And on and on and on.
There’s one scene though that’s very different in Return of the Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker, and it’s why one scene remains beloved and the other does not. It has to do with the way the films reveal their heroes’ previously hidden origins. In the video below, we break down those two scenes, why one became iconic and the other felt disastrous:
If you liked our latest video comparing Return of the Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker, check out some of our other videos below, including all the Easter eggs and secrets in the season finale of The Mandalorian, our look at the ending of Season 2 and what it means for Season 3, and our theories of how Grogu survived the end of the Jedi Order and the destruction of the Jedi Temple. Plus, there’s tons more over at ScreenCrush’s YouTube channel. Be sure to subscribe to catch all our future episodes.
Gallery — Our Favorite Rise of Skywalker Easter Eggs: