Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker D23 Trailer | Our Thoughts
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Team Future Of The Force 
Our team of Force Users deliver our verdict on the D23 Expo trailer for J.J Abrams finale to the Skywalker saga
Like a great disturbance in the Force, the D23 Expo sizzle reel trailer for Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker took the world by storm and sent fans into a frenzy. Flashing images of Imperial Star Destroyers, lightsaber duels and haunting images of Dark Rey exploded across the internet like the ignition of a lightsaber. As the dust settled and cooler heads prevailed, we were left with more questions than answers, but that didn’t stop us from gripping the edge of our seats with anticipation for what looks set to be an explosive finale to the legendary Skywalker legacy.
But what did our team of Force Users think? Did the trailer knock our socks off, or were we consumed by the dark side? Join us as we share our reactions to this phenomenal trailer:
“I Was Blown Away” | By Liam Bailey
I was blown away by this trailer! It has left me eager for December to arrive so I can finally see it, but to also see its marketing plastered everywhere. The content shown has left so much room for speculation and theories without probably showing us the main bulk of the storyline and I am desperate to find out what certain things mean, like why does C-3P0 have red eyes? Is dark side Rey a vision or reality? What is the Emperor’s involvement in it all? It also felt so amazing to see Rey, Finn, Poe, Chewbacca and C-3P0 on a mission together as well as seeing Leia in and amongst it all. I could literally talk about this trailer for so long and I dread to think how many times I’ve already watched it! The Rise of Skywalker is destined to be a huge spectacle and it certainly seems to be a triumphant end to this incredible saga.
“Can It Please Be December Yet?” | By Megan Rickards
Having seen the newest trailer several times at this point, I’m just hyped for what it will bring. If you listen carefully, along with Darth Sidious chuckling, you can also hear a bit of Darth Vader. I’m personally surprised I haven’t heard more people talking and freaking out about that part. Will he possibly be seen in a flashback by Kylo or Rey as her vision goes dark? Being as director JJ Abrams has said that this movie brings 40+ years of storytelling together, I wouldn’t be surprised.
Speaking of bringing things together, those Imperial Star Destroyers?! I still can’t stop freaking out about how cool they looked in that shot. The obvious fact that they will be used in some way in this movie? Can it please be December yet? I mean I don’t want the saga to be over, but at the same time, I have to know. Especially after this latest trailer, count me amongst the many eager fans. Bring on December.
“An Epic End to The Skywalker Saga” | By Melissa Villy
The Skywalker Saga is coming to an end! The new footage includes scenes of a space battle that looks like it’s going to be epic. All those Resistance ships against those Star Destroyers evokes Battle of Endor vibes, and I’m here for it. Then there are the scenes of Rey and Kylo Ren dueling. I love a good lightsaber duel! The most shocking scene though is the final shot of Rey with a double-bladed red lightsaber. I personally think this is a Force vision, or something akin to Luke’s encounter in the cave on Dagobah, but I guess we’ll find out in December! All in all, it looks like an epic end to the Skywalker Saga as things come full circle.
“I Don’t Even Know What to Focus On” | By Katelyn Mathis
Honestly, there is so much going on in this trailer, I don’t even know what to focus on. Looks like we’ll get another Rey and Kylo duel. Rey has a red blade, which I’m already thinking is a ruse of some kind. There are dessert planets, a Death Star, and a sky full of battlecruisers. I think we are in for a long and intense ending to the Skywalker story. Whether we will see Luke or Anakin is up for debate, but I am hopeful that Disney will deliver on the tie-in we all need to appropriately wrap up a three-generation series.
“This Trailer Delivered!” | By Thomas Storai
We haven’t had any new footage of The Rise of Skywalker since April and this new trailer delivered! A HUGE Imperial fleet, the returns of Y-Wings, B-Wings, C-3PO with red eyes, Rey with a red double-bladed lightsaber? Lots of amazing stuff and that raise lots of questions! We know Palpatine is returning, he’s on the poster … so I’m feeling like that Imperial fleet belongs to him somehow and I don’t think Rey is going to fall to the dark side, otherwise, they wouldn’t have shown it in a sizzle reel but my best theory is it’s a vision. I’m so glad we are going to see a double-bladed lightsaber in a Star Wars movie again, it’s such a badass weapon! The Rise of Skywalker promises to be phenomenal! And I loved that they really emphasize this being the conclusion to the Skywalker saga, that mix of shots from all the saga at the beginning was beautiful!
“A Plot Teaser” | By Max Nocerino
This trailer was very interesting. From the limited footage we received; two things are apparent to me. 1. This movie will feature more of the main characters sticking together and 2. Dark Rey is a total plot teaser. I don’t mind if Poe, Rey and Finn are all together; I just hope there is good character foil, but Dark Rey is a what-if vision sequence- nothing more. Hearing Palpatine’s voice was awesome though.
“Totally Blown Away” | By Carl Roberts
Ok, so I’m now totally blown away by the newest trailer for The Rise of Skywalker. I was already building up my excitement levels after the Celebration reveal of the return of The Emperor but now my levels have hit overdrive. I mean, come on, what’s not to like? Kylo Ren and Rey fighting on what looks to be the remains of a tower from the original Death Star! Rey training with her lightsaber in a forest! C-3PO with really creepy red eyes! The film looks completely stunning. Then we have the Vader breathing! Oh please, PLEASE let the rumours be true. Please give us the Star Wars finale to end all finales. Please bring Anakin AND Vader into the film as the rumoured force ghost flitting between the light side and the dark side of the force. Let the rumours of Hayden Christensen’s appearance become reality. It would round off the saga completely. And rather perfectly. The saga is all about one family, the Skywalkers. Let them all appear in this saga closing chapter and send the greatest saga of all time into history with a farewell that will be for the ages.
As for the Dark Rey and her double-bladed lightsaber, I’m sorry but I’m not convinced.
Nice try J.J but we are on to you now. Yes, it looks amazing. Yes, it looks and feels really dark and shocking. Yes, it’s a decoy! A classic case of misdirection by Abrams and company. You recall the poster for The Force Awakens and the trailer footage showing Finn wielding a lightsaber. And who was the one with the force? Yes, Rey! This is bound to be either a vision or a test of Rey’s strength in resisting the dark side. Or a glimpse provided by the Emperor to show her what she could be if she turned. Such a vital plot point wouldn’t just be cheaply thrown away like that in a trailer, especially when the secrecy surrounding the film is so fierce. All in all, I can’t wait for the film to open now and December can’t get here quick enough. I’m already stocking up on tissues for what will be an emotional end to over forty years of the Skywalkers. They deserve a fantastic ending to their time with us. With what we see in the new trailer, we may just get it after all.
“Perfectly Composed” | By Annlyel James
‘The Rise of Skywalker‘ is the ‘Avengers: Endgame‘ of the ‘Star Wars‘ franchise. It’s taking the entire saga so far and culminating it into one imminently epic movie that is destined to be INCREDIBLE! (I can feel it in the Force.) Seeing the fantastic culmination of all previous eight films lead into the new footage from ‘The Rise of Skywalker‘ was not only mesmerizing but tear-jerkingly beautiful. Perfectly composed and filled with awesomeness left and right, this special look was designed to remind us how amazing this film is going to be. The Force is going to be strong with this one!
“So Cool!” | By The Mini-Mandalorian
When I first saw the D23 expo trailer for The Rise of Skywalker I was intrigued but at the same time psyched because there is an entire fleet of Imperial star destroyers from the original trilogy. Plus, why is Rey wielding a double-bladed red lightsaber? So cool! I think The Rise of Skywalker is going to be better than The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi but overall, I think the prequel and original trilogies will be hard to beat.
“The Special Look Stoked My Nostalgia” | By Kat Schultz
I’m not on the hype train for The Rise of Skywalker yet. I didn’t think I was even at the station. But the D23 Special Look made me cry all the same. I have some issues with how the sequel trilogy developed (wasn’t Rey supposed to be the protagonist? Doesn’t much feel like it anymore…) but Star Wars has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, and I love it all the same. The Special Look stoked my nostalgia and my lifelong love for the franchise. I’m not interested in speculation or discourse this time around. I want to experience this movie as what it is: the end of an era, the end of a chapter of my life. Whatever unfolds, I’m ready to cry. Even if I disagree with the choices that are made, saying goodbye to Carrie Fisher again, and to Leia, will be plenty of emotion for me. This is closure. It’s time.
“I Love Love Love This Trailer” | By Darcie Gray
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is right around the corner and I don’t know about you, but I am ready for one last Star Wars midnight screening. Last weekend we were gifted with a brand-new trailer that gives me goosebumps every time I watch it. I love love love this trailer so much, it reminds me why I fell in love with Star Wars in the first place and it shows us some of the best moments of all eight films so far. The trailer makes it very clear that The Rise of Skywalker is the conclusion to a story that has spanned four decades, everything has led to this one film. I should admit that when the trailer started on the originals, I was so worried that the trailer would ignore the prequels, but it didn’t which makes me think Rise of Skywalker will not throw shade on elements of the prequels like The Last Jedi did.
So, after reminiscing about the first eight films, this trailer shows us some epic new footage!! That team up shot of Rey, Poe, Fin, Chewie and C-3P0 is the dream but where are they and what are they doing there? I’m thinking they are trying to recruit someone. When did the First Order have time to build all those ships? Are we finally getting a time jump or have they had them all along? That whole shot with the lightning cutting through the darkness is incredible!! Plus, we later see Kylo on a planet with lightning in the sky so that must be the same scene! Also blue is normally a colour associated with the Jedi so, interestingly, it’s used so much in scenes related to the Sith. And then we get dark Rey! OMG, now this could either be a great twist or a vision both of which would be so cool. We also get a Darth Vader sound effect so it looks like Vader will play a role at some point the question is how will he be involved? One certain thing is we are in for one hell of a ride.
“The Empire Will Strike Back” | By Phil Roberts
Oh boy, where do I begin?
With The Rise of Skywalker looming on the horizon all eyes are on J.J Abrams to deliver the “Avengers Endgame” of the galaxy far, far away. The task of culminating the Star Wars saga would be a daunting prospect for any director but Abrams appears to be pulling out all the stops to deliver the mother of all finales. The recent D23 Expo trailer optimised his commitment to the cause. The “special look” was chocked full of Star Wars nostalgia and harnessed the brilliance of everything that has come before, but when the all-new footage exploded onto the screen, my excitement levels were dialled to eleven.
The Empire WILL strike back.
Forget the images of Rey, Finn, Poe, Chewie and Threepio negotiating the rugged terrain of the desert. Overlook the imagery of Kylo Ren attacking his Knight of Ren. The deal-breaker is the enormous fleet of IMPERIAL Star Destroyers!
We have been led to believe that the Empire fell in the finale of Return of the Jedi and the remnants of the fragmented Imperial fleet were scattered throughout the galaxy before being enveloped by the First Order regime. Could history rewrite itself? Did the Emperor survive the destruction of the Death Star only to rebuild the Empire bigger, better and far more dangerous than ever before? Dare we dream of a scenario where Grand Admiral Thrawn has returned from the depths of wild space to assume command of the biggest Imperial Fleet ever assembled and tasked with the destruction of both the First Order and the Resistance?
In the old “non-canon” Expanded Universe, Thrawn made a shocking return after the fall of the Empire and possessed a colossal Imperial Starfleet complete with a new superweapon capable of mass destruction. Will J.J Abrams pull of the mother of all shocks and have Thrawn command this super fleet of Star Destroyers?
Oh, the possibilities.
I could not be more excited for the finale to the Skywalker saga. As bittersweet as it is sure to be, the Empire WILL strike back…and I cannot wait!
Have Your Say:
The D23 Expo trailer for The Rise of Skywalker has certainly stimulated some much-needed positivity from the Star Wars community and our team is no different. You won’t find a sceptical voice in this bunch. In fact, we are all beside ourselves with excitement for J.J Abrams’ finale to the Skywalker saga and December cannot come quickly enough.
What did you think of the new trailer? Drop us a line and share your thoughts with us.
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