‘Rise of Skywalker’ joins rest of ‘Star Wars’ franchise for home-watching
Amid the chaos and anxiety of a global pandemic, sometimes a galaxy far, far away is just the thing to keep you from checking the news for a bit. Here’s what’s new on DVD for the week of March 31.
“Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker”: Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) has made his way to Exegol, once the world of the Sith, and encounters the evil Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid). Rey (Daisy Ridley), Finn (John Boyega) and Poe (Oscar Issac) follow, in hopes of obtaining the pathfinder that will lead them to the desert planet and stop the First Order once and for all. In the meantime, Rey grapples with her connection with Kylo Ren, wondering if the dark side is where she truly belongs.
There’s so much to wrap up in this ninth installment of the beloved franchise, and boy does J.J. Abrams’ and Chris Terrio’s script try to pack it all in. (Abrams also directed the film.) Rose Tico (Kelly Marie Tran) only gets in a few lines, but we meet a new droid, D-O, among a cast of new characters, including Keri Russell
as Zorii and Naomi Ackie as Jannah. Cameos from the entire series abound, as does an almost frustrating number of plot twists that give the film an odd pulse through its final acts. The tone is inconsistent, and the story tends to negate the complexities of Rian Johnson’s “The Last Jedi.”
“It’s adequate at best, a space-themed kiddie adventure with a few lessons about justice and hope and perseverance, which is how the ‘Star Wars’ movies started,” wrote Tribune News Service critic Katie Walsh in her review. “’Rise of Skywalker’ is the ultimate nostalgic throwback of them all, as a film that seems more appropriate for rewatching on VHS than anything else.”
And here we are. If a distraction you seek, may the force be with you.
ALSO NEW ON DVD
“The Current War”: Thomas Edison (Benedict Cumberbatch) and George Westinghouse (Michael Shannon) fight to make their respective electrical systems the one that will power the United States.
“Coda”: After grieving his wife’s death and returning to performing, a concert pianist (Patrick Stewart) faces crippling stage fright and mental decline.
“Mr. Robot: Season 4”: The hit USA Network series starring Rami Malek as cybersecurity engineerturned-hacker Elliot comes to a close.
“The Purge: Season Two”: All crimes including homicide are declared legal for a 12-hour period in this USA Network horror series.
“VFW”: A group of veterans fight a violent gang after a teenage girl hides out in the VFW bar with stolen drugs. Stars Stephen Lang, William Sadler, Martin Kove and Fred Williamson.
“Tommy Boy”: The
OUT ON DIGITAL HD
“Rogue Warfare 2: The Hunt”: After the leader of an elite team is kidnapped, the group of soldiers must save him. Stars Will Yun Lee, Jermaine Love and Rory Markham.
“Sonic the Hedgehog”: Sonic (voiced by Ben Schwartz) and his new human friend Tom Wachowski (James Marsden) team up to stop Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey) from taking over the world. Look for it on DVD and Blu-ray May 19.