Are Star Wars Fans Actually Going to See 'The Rise of Skywalker'?

Since the release of The Phantom Menace, countless Star Wars fans have enjoyed the adventures and battles of the galaxy far, far away. But with the latest installment, The Rise of Skywalker, the franchise has faced differing opinions among fans.

Divided Opinions

The latest Star Wars film, The Rise of Skywalker, has divided Star Wars fans into two camps: those who can't wait to see the final chapter and those who are not convinced of its worth.

My Take: I, for one, am not among the fans eager to see it. After the disappointment of The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi, I'm not in the mood for another Disney reboot. I find the recent films uninspired and disappointing, even though I still love the Star Wars universe and enjoy its games and novels. I just can't get excited about another Star Wars film from Disney right now.

Personal Insights

Most of the Star Wars fans I personally know have enjoyed the more recent films, and I'm certain they'll also see The Rise of Skywalker. However, I loathe The Last Jedi and have no excitement for The Rise of Skywalker, despite its intriguing title. It's just that, for Star Wars fans, any film with the Star Wars name will draw a crowd.

Some fans might go to see anything with the Star Wars name, regardless of the story quality or harm to canon or continuity, as long as there are enough lightsaber duels and dogfights in space and something resembling Force usage. This type of fan doesn't seem to care about a good story or even about Star Wars itself, they just want to watch something visually appealing.

The Real Question

The real question is whether we will get a good and engaging story, or if it will be another disappointing addition to the franchise. Unfortunately, the odds don't look good for The Rise of Skywalker. A bad experience can tarnish even the best ones, and it appears that goodwill for Disney's Star Wars franchise has already eroded significantly. This film may not get the benefit of the doubt that prior films have received.

The Fan Divide

On one side, there are the casual fans, movie enthusiasts, and people who simply enjoy Star Wars films. They will undoubtedly go see The Rise of Skywalker. On the other side, there are the so-called 'gatekeepers' who claim to be the true fans. These people are less interested in the Star Wars universe and more interested in controlling the fanbase.

These so-called gatekeepers claim to be the loyal, core fans of the franchise, but their actions contradict these claims. They criticize the prequels as much as the sequels, and they complain about the Old Canon just as much as they do about the New Canon. They often act as if they were fans of the entire Star Wars universe, but their behavior suggests otherwise. They claim to miss the Extended Universe, but they complained about it fervently, too.

Conclusion

While some fans are eagerly awaiting The Rise of Skywalker, others, including myself, have serious reservations. The gatekeepers, who claim to dictate the direction of the franchise, are not genuine fans. Their actions and opinions are far from constructive and often counterproductive. Despite this, The Rise of Skywalker will likely draw a significant number of fans, while the true connoisseurs of the Star Wars saga may choose to stay away.