Spoiler-Free Review for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

No matter when you were introduced to Star Wars, we are all fans. The original trilogy was my introduction and since then I have been hooked on the epic space battle of good versus evil. The Force, lightsabers, spaceships, exotic planets and aliens all helped shaped my view on doing the right thing even if it is difficult. Luke Skywalker will always be my first and favorite hero. Someone who knew they wanted to do bigger and better things. Someone who did what he felt was right for friends, family and others in need. So, in a nutshell, I am a lifelong Star Wars fan.

Eight films and 42 years later, we have arrived at the ninth and final film of the saga, The Rise of Skywalker. While this review will be a spoiler-free, I will tell you that the trailers and the TV spots have done a pretty good job in not giving anything away.

J.J. Abrams and Chris Terrio have crafted a script with references and sequences that cynical minds will consider "fan service" but bring back emotion and power going back all the way to the original trilogy. They have brought back the fun and the humor that feel more like the original trilogy as well. As the fun and playfulness have always been a trademark of the saga, so has the darkness and the danger of the galaxy under the rule of evil.

J.J. Abrams knows how to craft a blockbuster. While there are some amazing set-pieces, I feel he is underrated as a director when it comes to performers. Here he gets the best performance out of Daisy Ridley. She is the center of the film along with the other key principles in Finn, Poe and Kylo Ren. The best material and interactions with one another belong to these four characters.

This movie is a real roller coaster ride with twists and turns that are surprising and at times risk-taking. And just like a roller coaster the pace of the film is at times neck breaking. You will find yourself needing time to catch your breath! This makes for an exhilarating 2 hour and 23 minute movie.

With all that being said, I loved The Rise of Skywalker, but in this day and age, not everyone will be pleased with the film. The cynical minds have had very unpleasant ways of expressing their unhappiness but it comes with a total lack of perspective. These movies were made for children and we have people that feel that kid-friendly franchises need to be solely aimed at them.

Abrams and team have made a movie for those of us that love it best. The Rise of Skywalker rises to the occasion and is a fitting end to the epic saga.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker opens in theaters December 20th.

Spoiler-Free Review for Avengers: Infinity War - Marvel at its Very Best

The last ten years have brought us eighteen movies, tied together in unprecedented fashion to this point in time. We have been introduced to heroes from our time, from outer space and even other dimensions. All of the years of planning and world building have brought us to Avengers: Infinity War.

Avengers: Infinity War is the most ambitious, emotional shocking and entertaining superhero movie to date. The film easily fits into my Top 5 in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. I dare say it is my new #1 MCU film.

I do my best to always avoid spoilers and will write this review to keep it as spoiler-free as possible. It is simply too important for each of you to know as little as possible about this movie before you see it.

The film is on a scale unparalleled in the superhero genre. The Russso Brothers have taken the superhero movie and taken it to heights that will challenge other filmmakers to reach.

The film also takes cinematography in the superhero genre to the next level. This is simply one of the most gorgeous looking films you will ever see. You may have heard me discuss my love for Dolby Cinema, well this is the film to watch in this format. The Dolby vision projector is unmatched and the colors are rich and vibrant. Avengers: Infinity War also delivers some of the very best visual effects of any Marvel film.

I will talk little about the cast except to say that all of the performances are fantastic, all of our heroes get their chance to shine and that we are reminded of each of their journeys to this point in time. I will discuss one character and that is Thanos. He is the best villain in the MCU. My favorite villains are the ones that believe that what they are doing is right and that their actions are justified. Thanos is complex and his character has been well thought out.

Avengers: Infinity War is quite simply Marvel at its very best. This means one of the very best superhero films as well. Marvel delivers on every level and you will not be prepared when you see it for yourself.