'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker': Which of the original cast members had the best scene in the movie?
Spoiler alert for 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker'
'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' brought back a number of characters from the original films to bring the sensational Skywalker saga to a close, some as cameos, some with major roles.
For many, the return of these characters is what made the sequel trilogy feel like 'Star Wars' again. While it was great seeing so many returns to the 'Star Wars' screen, there was one character whose final farewell stood head and shoulders above the rest.
It wasn't Carrie Fisher, as Leia Organa. Though it will always be both inspiring and heartbreaking to see her onscreen after her tragic passing, the movie had to work hard to make do with the limited footage they had, and it didn't always come away with the emotional weight her scenes were meant to have.
Nor was the return of Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) as a Force Ghost, who spent nearly his entire time on-screen essentially apologizing for 'The Last Jedi', leaving a sour taste in the mouth for people who actually enjoyed the movie.
Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams) had a lot to do in the movie — arguably, the most important role, bringing in the rest of the galaxy to aid in the final battle against Emperor Palpatine's (Ian McDiarmid) forces.
Speaking of which, while there was some apprehension about bringing Emperor Palpatine back from the dead this movie, he was the perfect villain to bring the series to a close.
Emperor Palpatine is one of pop culture's most iconic villains, and for good reason. Every scene with him was dripping with vile darkness that begged for a hero's rise.
Anthony Daniels, who holds the very special honor of having been in the 'Star Wars' film, right from the beginning, gets a surprisingly emotional farewell for a character largely included for exposition and comic relief, as his memory is wiped to uncover the location of Emperor Palpatine.
It's a goodbye that's immediately undone, however, when he awakens and then undone again when his memories are returned to him.
While the emotional weight of his sacrifice may have been undone, his reliable comic relief reminding everyone why they love the character — or that his annoying tendencies are an essential part of the 'Star Wars' films.
The most powerful scene, however, is undoubtedly the one featuring the surprise return of Han Solo (Harrison Ford). Ford has repeatedly talked about his reluctance to return to the movie franchise, so many fans assumed that when he fell in 'The Force Awakens,' he fell for good.
For a man reluctant to return to the role, however, he gave the scene his all, as his memory finally convinces Ben Solo (Adam Driver) to return from the Dark Side.
It's a heartbreaking scene that will likely leave many fans in tears, and the fandom will forever love him for it, not that they need to tell him. He knows.
'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' is in cinemas now.