Joshua_Barry

It was never going to be easy to finish off such a beloved franchise, and we only have to look at the final season of GOT to know that. In a similar turn of events, The Rise of Skywalker is ultimately let down by trying to cram too much content into the story. J.J. Abrams quickly jumps from idea to idea without giving enough time to reflect or be able to emotionally attach yourself to what's going on. . I'm no diehard Star Wars fan. I have always enjoyed the films, but they aren't religion. So this is where my point of view comes from. I really liked The Force Awakens (8/10) and LOVED Rogue One (9/10). The Last Jedi wasn't bad, but left me slightly underwhelmed (7/10). The Rise of Skywalker is the worst of the new films. The runtime of 2hrs 21 is no longer than the last two, but it feels it. It really feels long, and I put this down to hectic and clunky story telling. . In terms of performances, Daisy Ridley gives her best to date and Adam Driver is great! There's also some great action pieces, and a wonderful array of weird and interesting creatures to be seen, which you would expect. . I think the biggest thing to take away is there is nothing new here. It feels like the same story. It didn't have any wow moments. It really does feel like a Disney film. One that takes no risks, and tries to play to the crowd. The fan fare is so in your face, that it almost feels insulting. It just feels the same as Disney has been doing all year. Rehashing old favourites because they know people will pay to see them, good or bad. Unfortunately, in terms of quality this year, Disney seems to be having the Netflix effect. Quantity over quality.

1917 is Sam Mendes second foray into the war genre. Ah yes, you forgot about Jarhead didn't you... After 2005's Jarhead, which I myself loved, 1917 is a hugely ambitious step up for Mendes. He has to be commended for using this 'one shot' technique for what seems to be it's perfect use. . Believe the hype. 1917 is this years Saving Private Ryan, Hacksaw Ridge, Dunkirk. It's 100% fitting that it's in the conversation surrounding these war greats.

The use of the one shot technique for this type of film is genius, as it completely immerses you in the action with little reprieve. Seemingly menial moments like following these two young men walking through the trenches is enthralling & captivating. This is also superbly elevated by the pitch perfect score that is coursing through the veins of the film. Honestly, the score is impeccable, goosebumps a plenty... and the Oscar for best score goes to Thomas Newman, 1917. Then there's Roger Deakins cinematography. Need I say more. It's stunning from start to finish, with some scenes very reminiscent of 2049. . Let's get some minor flaws out of the way. Dean-Charles Chapman (Tommen from GOT) was the wrong casting for this one. A) he's a little too chubby for this role. It's even eluded to at the start there is no food around, yet Blake looks very well fed. Chapman also doesn't nail some of the important scenes, which takes some of the emotional punch away from them. The only other thing to mention might be the fact the Germans can't seem to aim to save their lives. It did start to feel a little hard to believe at times. . George MacKay does a wonderful job as the lead. He hits all the right notes of emotion and intensity. There's also a bunch of great cameo appearances spread throughout the film, including Colin Firth, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Andrew Scott in a great little scene where a few smiles are to be had. . 1917 is a movie that demands to be seen on the big screen, the biggest screen. It's definitely one of the best films of the year, and an amazing effort in cinema.

From the opening scene you cop the brunt of what you hope won't be a terrible script. Unfortunately it doesn't get any better. I'm not sure what the film was trying to do or trying to be. I'm really not. It feels like they were trying to make it a little confusing so they could reveal a twist at the end, but they blatantly give it away in the early stages.

It's hard to say if there were any good performances with the dialogue they had to contend with. I think Stephan James (Beale Street, Homecoming (TV)) was decent, but that was about it for me.

There is some nice cinematography and the movie is visually appealing, but that's all I can take out of it.