Did ‘The Rise of Skywalker’ Borrow Too Heavily from ‘Endgame’

Did ‘The Rise of Skywalker’ Borrow Too Heavily from Endgame

Introduction: Two Grand Finales

When ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’ capped off the Skywalker saga in 2019, the similarities to ‘Avengers: Endgame’ were impossible to ignore. Both films were released by Disney and served as the grand finale to two of the greatest movie franchises of all time. While some comparisons are inevitable due to common tropes in fantasy epics, certain similarities were so striking that it couldn’t be a mere coincidence.

What Did ‘The Rise of Skywalker’ Borrow?

‘The Rise of Skywalker’ seemed to take several cues from ‘Endgame.’ From the inclusion of nostalgic elements to the extensive use of fan service, it’s clear that lessons were learned—but were they the right ones? The film also tried to wrap up multiple character arcs and introduce significant plot twists in a very limited runtime, leading to noticeable pacing issues.

Fan Service vs. Storytelling

One of the significant criticisms of ‘The Rise of Skywalker’ is its over-reliance on fan service at the expense of a compelling story. While ‘Endgame’ also included an abundance of fan service, it managed to balance this with a well-paced narrative and strong character development, earning high praise from both fans and critics. The same cannot be said for ‘The Rise of Skywalker,’ which felt overstuffed and rushed, trying to do too much at the last minute.

Lessons Learned?

The parallels between ‘Endgame’ and ‘The Rise of Skywalker’ highlight a fundamental question: did ‘The Rise of Skywalker’ borrow from ‘Endgame’ in ways that truly enhanced the film? While the attempt to deliver a satisfying conclusion to a beloved series is commendable, many would argue that it fell short by prioritizing spectacle over substance. Perhaps, in trying to emulate ‘Endgame,’ ‘The Rise of Skywalker’ missed out on the crucial narrative elements that could have made its grand finale more impactful.

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