Weekend Movie Review: 'Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker' And More

This weekend, the most-anticipated grand finale of the "Star Wars" opera saga, "The Rise of Skywalker," opens nationwide, starring Daisy Ridley, Oscar Isaac and John Boyega as a trio of courageous freedom fighters (Read Patch's no-spoiler review below.).

Also hitting theaters near you is the musical "Cats," the cinematic adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's award-winning stage musical, starring Francesca Hayward and Jennifer Hudson as a pair of newfound feline friends.

Here's what to see and what to skip this weekend:

Movies Out This Weekend

“Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” — Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac; directed by J.J. Abrams

The ninth episode of the “Star Wars” opera saga is finally here, replete with an introductory opening crawl: “The dead speak! The galaxy has heard a mysterious broadcast, a threat of Revenge …” Then, moments later, a Sith lord declares, “this will be the final word in the story of Skywalker.”

On that pronouncement, “The Rise of Skywalker” is indeed the last chapter in the nine-film “Star Wars” series, now dubbed as the Skywalker saga — a trilogy of three trilogies that began in 1977 with George Lucas’ “Star Wars: A New Hope.” Written and directed by J.J. Abrams (who directed “The Force Awakens”), this grand finale echoes universal themes of good versus evil, paying homage to the first films in the “Star Wars” canon, all set to the backdrop of John Williams’ masterful score.

As Abrams’ storytelling transports audiences across an action-packed adventure, the late Carrie Fisher resurfaces from archived footage as General Leia Organa, leader of the Resistance movement. Joining her in the crusade is the next generation of brave freedom fighters: scavenger-turned-Jedi-in-training Rey (Daisy Ridley), the swashbuckling Resistance pilot Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac), former First Order stormtrooper Finn (John Boyega), the legendary Wookiee warrior Chewie (Joonas Suotamo) and the droid C-3PO (Anthony Daniels).

Who is their worst enemy? The Dark Side or First Order, led by Leia’s sinister son and Han Solo’s murderer, Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), who will try to convince Rey to switch allegiances because of her lineage — a rather fascinating and provocative twist in the plot lines.

It is only a matter of time before we see the surprise return of the quick-witted hero Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams) and the undead Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid), who plans to incite a new revolt alongside General Hux (Domhnall Gleeson) and Allegiant General Pryde (Richard E. Grant).

All in all, the appeal of “The Rise of Skywalker” comes from Abrams’ solid direction, the film’s dazzling action sequences and visual images as well as the cast’s excellent performances along with their magnetic chemistry. However, the multi-plot, convoluted screenplay languishes on its lack of clarity, especially during the film’s first act.

See it. While this grand finale does not deliver a perfect ending, “The Rise of Skywalker” still manages to bring a good dose of escapism with its frenetic exuberance and pace. A word of caution for the hardcore “Star Wars” devotees: Make sure to leave your thinking hats at home, as logic doesn’t apply here.

Watch the trailer:

“Cats” — Francesca Hayward, Jennifer Hudson, Taylor Swift; directed by Tom Hooper

Tom Hooper’s reimagining of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s award-winning stage musical transports audiences across a cinematic musical extravaganza about inclusion, forgiveness and self-worth.

Based on T.S. Eliot’s beloved 1939 poetry collection, “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats,” the film centers on a new character, a young abandoned cat named Victoria (Francesca Hayward) who embarks on a coming-of-age journey through 1930s London.

One night, as Victoria wanders around Trafalgar Square, she crosses paths with a tribe of junkyard cats called Jellicles who happen to be holding their annual talent show, hosted and judged by their matriarch cat, old Deuteronomy (Judi Dench).

In turn, Victoria gets to meet other cats in the feline world: the elderly cat, Gus the Theater Cat (Ian McKellen); the notorious outlaw criminal, Macavity (Idris Elba) and his accomplice in crime, Bombalurina (Taylor Swift); show-biz girl-wannabe Jennyanydots (Rebel Wison); the gluttonous cat, Bustopher Jones (James Corden); the magical cat, Mr. Mistoffelees (Laurie Davidson); the handsome, charismatic cat, Rum Tum Tugger (Jason Derulo); and, last but not the least, the ostracized aging glamour cat, Grizabella (Jennifer Hudson), whom Victoria considers as her kindred spirit.

The prize for winning the Jellicle Ball competition? The winner will ascend to the Heaviside Layer, where the winning feline will be reborn into a better life.

Skip it. Simply put: Hooper’s big-screen version of Lloyd Webber’s musical is calamitously forgettable.

Watch the trailer:

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