You Won’t Believe How Badly the Star Wars Sequels Aged

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The beginning of the Star Wars sequel trilogy sparked immense anticipation, offering a chance for a fresh narrative in a well-loved tale. Audience members were thrilled at the prospect of meeting new characters, revisiting old stories, and witnessing a galaxy distant and exotic unfold with contemporary storytelling.

Initially, these trilogy movies were seen as a great accomplishment; however, with the passage of time, they seem more like opportunities that could have been better utilized. From inconsistent storylines to questionable decisions, here are ten instances where the films – ‘The Force Awakens’ (2015), ‘The Last Jedi’ (2017), and ‘The Rise of Skywalker’ (2019) – have not aged as gracefully as anticipated.

10. Inconsistent Character Arcs

In the sequel trilogy, some characters’ development isn’t as seamless as it could be. For instance, Finn, who begins as a stormtrooper and makes a daring defection in ‘The Force Awakens’ (2015), seems to lose significance by ‘The Rise of Skywalker’ (2019). His storyline, instead of progressing, appears to be somewhat overshadowed.

Rey’s journey isn’t straightforward. The secrets surrounding her background undergo significant changes throughout the movies, causing confusion about her character development. This inconsistency can make it challenging to remain engaged with her storylines as they progress.

9. Overreliance on Nostalgia

The trilogy relies heavily on classic Star Wars themes such as X-wings, TIE fighters, and reminiscent moments from the earlier films. ‘The Force Awakens’ (2015) bears striking resemblance to ‘A New Hope’ (1977), featuring a desert protagonist and a destructive weapon akin to the Death Star.

Initially, this sense of nostalgia seems soothing, yet over time it becomes tiresome. By the time ‘The Rise of Skywalker’ (2019) rolled around, the recurrences of past characters and vessels felt more like compulsory nods than organic additions. This left the trilogy feeling less innovative than it potentially could have been.

8. Disjointed Storytelling Across Films

Each movie seems to have its own distinct narrative focus. For instance, ‘The Force Awakens’ (2015) introduces enigmas such as Rey’s parentage, but ‘The Last Jedi’ (2017) either dismisses or reverses many of these plotlines, which leaves some fans dissatisfied because they were hoping for more closure.

In ‘The Rise of Skywalker’ (2019), there seems to be a hurried attempt to connect the plot points, introducing concepts such as Palpatine’s resurrection rather abruptly without adequate prior explanation. This hasty approach gives the impression that the trilogy is composed of three distinct narratives instead of a cohesive whole.

7. Underused New Characters

Characters such as Poe Dameron and Rose Tico showed promise initially, but they were frequently relegated to the background in many scenes. The charismatic pilot persona of Poe Dameron in ‘The Force Awakens’ (2015) didn’t receive much depth until ‘The Rise of Skywalker’ (2019), and even then, his development felt rather hurried.

In the movie ‘The Last Jedi’ (2017), Rose made a brief, yet impactful appearance, only to fade significantly in the subsequent film. This lack of development left many fans yearning for more depth and potential storylines from characters that seemed capable of driving the Star Wars saga further.

6. Luke Skywalker’s Controversial Arc

In ‘The Last Jedi’ (2017), Luke’s characterization as a disillusioned recluse stirred up debate among viewers. The stark contrast between this portrayal and the optimistic hero from ‘Return of the Jedi’ (1983) left some feeling taken aback, as Luke’s decision to leave the Jedi Order seemed out of character.

Although some found his daring approach commendable, others perceived it as a betrayal of Luke’s character. The absence of compelling reasons for his expulsion early in the storyline left many viewers doubting the authenticity and believability of his journey throughout the movie.

5. Rushed Pacing in the Final Film

In ‘The Rise of Skywalker’ (2019), there seems to be an overabundance of events squeezed into the film, leaving major plot points like Rey’s ancestry and Palpatine’s resurrection feeling rushed. This results in a storyline that appears disorganized.

Hurrying through events weakens the impact of emotional scenes and major battles. Contrasting with the more character-focused, leisurely paced moments from earlier Star Wars movies, the ending seems to be in a hurry to conclude the story.

4. Neglected World-Building

In the trilogy, the galaxy isn’t given a comprehensive backstory. The swift ascent of the First Order following ‘Return of the Jedi’ (1983) remains underdeveloped, leading to unanswered questions regarding their rapid accumulation of power.

In simpler terms, it seems unclear as to why the Resistance is relatively weak compared to the Rebellion, and without a well-defined sense of urgency or setting, the galaxy appears less vibrant and engaging compared to how it was portrayed in the original or prequel Star Wars trilogies.

3. Divisive Fan Reception

In an unprecedented manner, the sequel trilogy sparked divisions among Star Wars fans as never seen before. The movie ‘The Last Jedi’ (2017) presented daring departures, such as Luke Skywalker’s journey and the introduction of Canto Bight, but left many yearning for a more conventional narrative feeling disenchanted instead.

In ‘The Rise of Skywalker’ (2019), there was an attempt to cater to a wide range of viewers, yet left many unsatisfied. Over time, the continuous discussions among fans about these films have made rewatching them less enjoyable.

2. Lack of a Cohesive Vision

Instead of George Lucas overseeing all three originals, the sequels had more than one director, J.J. Abrams and Rian Johnson, who each brought distinct styles. As a result, there were inconsistent tones and some unfinished plot threads.

Instead of building upon the storyline established in ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ (2015), ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’ (2017) seems to reverse many of its elements, and then ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’ (2019) attempts to adjust the course, making the overall Star Wars sequel trilogy feel more like a struggle between two opposing sides rather than a cohesive saga.

1. Palpatine’s Return Felt Forced

As a diehard Star Wars fan, I must admit that the return of Emperor Palpatine in ‘The Rise of Skywalker’ (2019) came as quite a surprise – a shock even! However, the buildup to this revelation was notably absent. The fact that he managed to survive after ‘Return of the Jedi’ (1983) is barely explained, leaving his role in the narrative feeling more like a last-minute patch than an integral part of the storyline.

Making this decision weakens the triumph of the original trilogy and muddles the importance of the sequel’s events. It’s a daring action that seems more like a desperate grasp for attention rather than a thoughtful idea, losing its appeal with every subsequent viewing.

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2025-07-18 20:46