8 Reasons It’s Tough To Watch The Star Wars Sequel Trilogy Today

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The movies are largely considered classics of the sci-fi genre. However, the recent sequel trilogy has proven to be quite divisive among fans.

Even though the story finished years ago, revisiting the Star Wars sequel trilogy is a surprisingly difficult experience. There are several issues, from the characters themselves to the choices made in the plot, that make it tough to watch.

When J.J. Abrams revived the Star Wars films, the plan was to honor what fans loved about the original movies. The next director, Rian Johnson, then aimed to challenge expectations and redefine Star Wars. However, this bold approach wasn’t well-received by audiences.

Colin Trevorrow was originally supposed to blend his vision with previous ideas and create something new for the sequel trilogy. However, J.J. Abrams took over and essentially reversed the direction Trevorrow had started. Many fans now see this change in directors as a key reason why the Star Wars sequels feel disjointed and are difficult to enjoy.

The conclusion of the original saga felt somber, but it appropriately wrapped things up and allowed for future stories. Return of the Jedi provided a satisfying ending while also hinting at new possibilities beyond the Skywalker family. Unfortunately, The Force Awakens seemed to disregard this, instead choosing to retread old ground and undo previous developments.

It felt strange and unnatural to see the Empire and Rebellion revisited with updated visuals. It mostly just highlighted how good the original stories were. Revisiting the ending of Return of the Jedi was a risk, and the fact that it didn’t work out makes the disappointment even greater.

The Rise of Skywalker disappointed many Star Wars fans with plot holes and a rushed feeling, especially regarding the unexpected return of the Emperor, which was simply explained with the line, “Somehow Palpatine returned.”

The story hinted that cloning and the power of the Force were responsible for Palpatine’s survival, but this was never directly confirmed. Given how impossible it seemed for someone like the Emperor to survive, and with Snoke initially appearing as a suitable successor, it felt unreasonable to ask audiences to believe he simply returned without a proper explanation. It was a major plot leap that needed more support.

The Star Wars sequel trilogy had a great idea: taking characters who seemed like supporting players and developing them into something bigger. Finn was a prime example, starting as a stormtrooper who defected and wanting to find a greater purpose. However, his storyline never fully developed, and the final film only hinted at what he could have become.

After receiving intense online harassment, Rose Tico, a character meant to embody the Resistance’s hope in The Last Jedi, had her role significantly reduced in The Rise of Skywalker to little more than a cameo. This wasn’t fair to the actress, and it’s just one instance of several side characters, like Jannah, who deserved more development and screen time.

Okay, so The Force Awakens was a blast, but honestly, it felt a little too familiar – like they basically remade A New Hope. Then The Last Jedi came along, and it was a weird mix. It felt like The Empire Strikes Back in some parts, but then it started borrowing bits and pieces from Return of the Jedi. It was like they mashed up those two movies, which was…interesting, to say the least.

The sequel trilogy often relies too heavily on familiar tropes, which is clear in moments where compelling storylines – like Finn’s personal journey or Kylo Ren embracing the dark side – are either dropped or changed to fit predictable patterns. Ultimately, the most interesting ideas are sacrificed for a safer, more conventional narrative.

The Star Wars prequels significantly improved the action sequences compared to the original films. They showed the Jedi as skilled, trained warriors, rather than simply people trying to survive. This more dynamic and choreographed style of fighting quickly became what audiences expected from Star Wars, a contrast to what was later seen in the sequel trilogy.

As a film fan, I was really excited when the sequel trilogy promised a fresh take on lightsaber combat. It felt like an opportunity to see the style evolve! But honestly, it kind of fell flat. Take Rey, for instance – she clearly knew how to handle a staff, but all we ever see her do is use a standard lightsaber and just…slash at people. And while Adam Driver was fantastic as Kylo Ren, bringing so much energy to the fights, he was often up against opponents who couldn’t really keep up. The final battles, while visually exciting, just didn’t feel that well-choreographed, unfortunately.

The sequel trilogy introduced the New Republic, building on ideas from the older ‘Legends’ stories. It showed the Rebellion’s efforts to rebuild the galaxy, but unfortunately, the movies didn’t fully develop this new government. The First Order quickly rose to power and nearly wiped it out before audiences could really understand what the New Republic stood for.

It’s especially frustrating considering the buildup to The Force Awakens. The New Republic’s downfall happened because of overconfidence and a failure to recognize the danger posed by the First Order – details that were explained in books and TV shows. However, the films themselves treated the New Republic more like a convenient plot point, not a fully developed political entity that deserved more focus.

The ending of The Rise of Skywalker sparked a lot of debate, particularly when Rey announced she was a Skywalker. This felt unnecessary and added to the already extensive Skywalker legacy. Ultimately, Rey and Luke’s journeys were instrumental in Anakin Skywalker achieving his fate.

As a fan, I always felt like Rey’s story could have done something really powerful with the Skywalker legacy. Discovering she was a Palpatine felt like a twist that didn’t quite land, and it seemed like a perfect moment to really highlight what the Skywalker name meant. She could have taken the name Palpatine and turned it into something good, maybe even letting the Skywalker story come to a natural end. Instead, it felt like the Skywalker name stayed central even when it didn’t need to be.

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2026-05-18 13:07