What can that tiny squadron of fighters do against an armada of Star Destroyers? Oh, and yeah, these are the OG Star Destroyers; not the First Order variety that populates The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi. These bad boys are Empire. Where have they been hiding? What planet are they floating within? Was the Emperor waiting to make his move? Did he need Supreme Leader Snoke out of the way before he could open the garage door and let these monsters fly out? Lots of questions, but I really don’t care what the answers are. The new First Order ships were cool and all, but nothing beats the classic Star Destroyer design.
In a matter of two shots, the Empire has never looked more unstoppable. Star Destroyers align in formation while the planetary atmosphere around them erupts to match their terror. Logic dictates that our band of heroes could not possibly be a match for such an invading threat, but the Rebels have been in tight spots before, and we know how hero-quests work. So, do your best Emperor.
Finn is riding shotgun in another space vessel that looks similar to the Millenium Falcon, but not quite right. Over his shoulder is a new character, Jannah (Naomi Ackie). With Billy Dee Williams returning to the franchise there has been some talk about a possible familial connection to her character, and I think that’s a pretty safe bet. Looking out through their window, they are equally impressed with the Imperial fleet.
Yes, C-3PO looks baked. Get the droid some Visine. Or maybe the Empire has crept up into his skull and reprogrammed him with some diabolical thoughts. I’m only aware of one other protocol droid with red eyes, and that fiendish fella is known as Triple-Zero from the Marvel comics line. That bot is basically the opposite of Threepio, only living to serve if it means milking meat sacks of their pain. It’s a sinister/quizzical shot and easy to forget amongst all the other beauty on display in this trailer.
A blast from space that looks a lot like the Starkiller destruction last seen in The Force Awakens, but it doesn’t appear to be as catastrophic. Maybe this is just a shot from one of the Star Destroyers in orbit or a laser drill.
Rey back in that jungle planet where we saw Leia. She flings her lightsaber similar to how Darth Vader flung his weapon to Luke during their battle within the second Death Star. Even more noticeable is the appearance of a Marksman-H Combat Remote that is practically identical to the one Obi-Wan Kenobi lent to Luke aboard the Millennium Falcon in A New Hope.
Rey is not messing around. She’s gone up against Kylo Ren twice now and narrowly escaped with her life. She’s playing for keeps in The Rise of Skywalker, and that means she’s got to bone up on her studies. The blade flies back into her hands and we spot a red bandage over her palm. Tis but a flesh wound. She’s also practicing with a stick rather than her Jakku staff.
