WARNING! Major spoilers to the film’s ending ahead!
Like many of the Disney Star Wars films, Episode IX is dividing fans. Many liked it and many really didn't… And for the few who didn’t like it, the film really started to go off the rails towards the end of the movie. While being a nice ending for a film, for the ending of an entire sage it can be a bit disappointing.
Star Wars has always focused on the battle between dark and light, both physically and mentally. The star of each trilogy has had to make the decision to either resist or give into the dark side and that is what this ending scene ultimately amounts to.
Especially, it focuses on this battle in the form of 1000 generations that came before both Rey and Kylo Ren. All of the Sith who chose the dark side and all the Jedi that chose the light side, coming together to fight one last time.
Finally showing the audience who is more powerful, all the Sith or the Jedi. Showing us what happens when the Jedi finally let go of their rules and restraint and use their full unleashed power.
But while this happens in the film, they don’t exactly show us this. We see hundreds of Palpatine’s minions cheering him on but despite hearing past Jedi, Rey looks completely alone.
Rey’s strengths have always been her chosen family. When she falls, they inspire her to get back up again and fight. But most importantly, they help her choose the light. That’s why it’s strange to me that they had Rey stand against the biggest Star Wars bad all alone.
There’s two ways they would tweak this ending scene to give a bigger impact but ultimately have the same ending.
Two words: FORCE GHOSTS. Star Wars is built around the dead refusing to go away when times get tough. They even make several appearances in this film! So to not have a single force ghost standing with Rey seems strange. Especially since we hear so many Jedi give Rey their support. It just doesn't make sense that they wouldn’t turn up.
Imagine this: Rey on the floor, just defeated by Palpatine and conjures her last bit of strength to try to connect to the 1000 Jedis that came before her. We begin to hear their voices, this gives her strength as she begins to stand up and face Darth Sidious.
She challenges him and he laughs. “I am all the Sith,” he explains but Rey just smiles and that’s when we see it. All the Jedi we are familiar with; Luke, Anakin, Leia, Obi-Wan and more. Along with the Jedi we haven’t seen before.
They all stand with Rey and she feels all their power.
“We are all the Jedi.”
However, It could be challenging to get ahold of some of the famous faces needed for the previous scenario so why not use the heroes we already have who have always stood by Rey.
When they see the lightning shoot into the sky and they realise Rey may not be okay. Poe and Finn race to her side to help her, to support her, and despite not being force-sensitive, stand against Palpatine.
This reminds Rey what she’s fighting for and why she needs to win. She has to save her family and the galaxy. She stands up to take on her grandfather, with her two best friends behind her. Together.
These are simple changes but I believe they would have made such a big impact and made the ending much more meaningful. You’d be kicking and screaming in your seat for the heroes to win this one last time, even if you don’t like Rey.
Oh, and for the love of god, remove that awful Reylo kiss.
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