The latest Star Wars theatrical outing, *The Mandalorian and Grogu*, opened to a 62% Rotten Tomatoes critics score, sparking debate over its cinematic heft. in contrast, *The Rise of Skywalker*, released in 2019, continues to earn praisse for its grand storytelling and visual mastery, suggesting the sequel’s legacy is improving with time.

62% Rotten Tomatoes score fuels criticism of *The Mandalorian and Grogu*'s scale

Reviewers note that the new film feels more like stitched‑together TV episodes than a true blockbuster, diluting the event‑like aura traditionally associated with Star Wars cinema. As the source reports, the focus on the titular characters limits the story’s galaxy‑spanning impact, a sharp departure from earlier entries that boasted broader stakes.

Emperor Palpatine’s Sith fleet raises stakes beyond the Resistance and First Order

*The Rise of Skywalker* introduced a third major faction: a fleet of thousands of Star Destroyers armed with planet‑killing cannons, a threat that eclipses the previous sequel trilogy’s conflicts. This escalation, highlighted in the source, gave the film a narrative weight that many fans now view as its most enduring strength.

JJ Abrams’ Exegol shots outshine Disney+ series’ Volume‑reliant look

The source contrasts the film’s breathtaking visuals—particularly the blue‑tinged darkness of Exegol and the massive Sith armada—with the over‑reliance on Volume technology in recent Disney+ series like *The Book of Boba Fett*.. Abrams’ cinematography delivers some of the franchise’s most striking images, reinforcing the movie’s lastnig appeal.

Takodana and Ajan Kloss prove the sequel’s planetary diversity

Beyond the fleet, *The Rise of Skywalker* showcases a palette of distinct worlds. Takodana’s vibrant desert and Ajan Kloss’s lush jungles provide memorable backdrops that avoid feeling like rehashed footage,according to the source, and help the film stand out visually from its predecessors.

Who will decide if the sequel trilogy finally earns its place?

While *The Mandalorian and Grogu* divides critics, the lingering question remains: will the broader fanbase ultimately embrace *The Rise of Skywalker* as the rightful capstone of the sequel era? The source notes that the film is still “more maligned than *The Last Jedi*,” yet its high‑stakes story and visual triumphs suggest a slow but steady reassessment.