Part 11/14:
Return of the Jedi assigns impactful roles to its characters. Luke’s refusal to kill Vader signifies moral courage; Han and Leia’s mission on Endor is vital to the Rebel victory; Lando’s daring space attack feels earned and heroic. Every character action has clear consequences, reinforcing the story’s stakes and emotional weight.
The Rise of Skywalker, however, reduces characters like Finn and Poe to secondary or peripheral figures whose actions feel disconnected from the main event. Finn’s subplot involving a romantic interest seems like filler, and Poe’s shouting and flying antics contribute little to the story. Rey’s confrontation with Palpatine is more about her inheriting power than making meaningful choices, rendering their final victory less emotionally satisfying.