The Star Wars franchise has been an essential part of the pop culture zeitgeist since George Lucas introduced us to a galaxy far, far away in 1977. With its iconic characters, memorable music, and epic storytelling, Star Wars has become a cultural phenomenon that has spanned decades and generations. However, the latest installment of the Skywalker saga, “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” has sparked controversy among fans and critics alike.
Some have hailed it as a fitting finale to the saga, while others have labeled it a flop. So was the last Star Wars movie a flop? Let’s take a closer look.
The Box Office Numbers
One way to measure the success of a movie is by looking at its box office numbers. According to Box Office Mojo, “The Rise of Skywalker” made over $1 billion worldwide.
While that is certainly an impressive number, it falls short of its two predecessors in the trilogy – “The Force Awakens” and “The Last Jedi.” Both those films made over $1.3 billion worldwide and were critical darlings as well. In comparison, “The Rise of Skywalker” received mixed reviews from critics and fans alike.
The Critical Reception
Speaking of reviews, let’s take a closer look at what critics had to say about “The Rise of Skywalker.” On Rotten Tomatoes, the movie has an approval rating of 52%, which is significantly lower than both “The Force Awakens” (93%) and “The Last Jedi” (91%). Critics cited various issues with the movie – from convoluted plotlines to underdeveloped characters to fan service that felt forced.
The Fan Response
Of course, when it comes to Star Wars movies, fan response is just as important (if not more so) than critical reception. And in this case, fans seem to be divided on “The Rise of Skywalker.”
Some fans loved it and felt it was a satisfying conclusion to the saga. Others, however, were disappointed with how certain storylines were wrapped up or how certain characters were portrayed. The movie’s director, J.J. Abrams, has even acknowledged the divisive response, saying that he knew going in that not everyone would be happy with the choices made in the movie.
The Future of Star Wars
So where does this leave the Star Wars franchise? With “The Rise of Skywalker” marking the end of the Skywalker saga, what’s next for the galaxy far, far away?
Well, despite some disappointment with this latest installment, there’s still plenty of excitement for what’s to come. Disney has already announced several new Star Wars projects in development – from movies to TV shows – and fans are eagerly anticipating what’s next.
Conclusion
In conclusion, whether or not “The Rise of Skywalker” was a flop is a matter of perspective. While it didn’t quite live up to its predecessors in terms of box office numbers or critical acclaim, it still made an impressive amount of money and had its fair share of fans who enjoyed it.
Ultimately, Star Wars is a franchise that has always been about more than just one movie – it’s about the entire universe that George Lucas created and all the stories that can be told within it. And as long as there are new stories to tell and new adventures to be had in that galaxy far, far away, Star Wars will continue to captivate audiences for generations to come.
