5 Things the Sequels Actually Did Well

Look, we’ve all debated about the Star Wars sequels. And yeah, they definitely had their issues—plot inconsistencies, wasted potential, you name it. But sometimes it feels like the constant criticism drowns out the genuinely good things these movies did bring to the table. I decided it’s time to give credit where credit’s due. Here are five things the sequels actually nailed—because even flawed Star Wars can still get some things beautifully right.

1. The Sequels May Be Flawed, but Their Planets Were Pretty Cool

Say what you will about the sequels, but they gave us some genuinely awesome planets. I still remember the feeling when The Force Awakens opened with Jakku. The shot of the downed Star Destroyer half-buried in the sand immediately tells us this isn’t just another Tatooine copy, it’s a world still carrying the wreckage of the Galactic Civil War. It grounds the story in the aftermath of the original trilogy and sets the tone for a galaxy still recovering.

Crait was one of the most visually striking locations in the entire trilogy. A white salt crust hiding bright red soil underneath turned a simple chase into a battlefield that looked completely different from anything before it. The Resistance’s last stand there stood out because the planet itself stood out.

Ahch-To gave us something we hadn’t seen before, a remote oceanic planet where the Jedi had once trained. Its cliffs, storms, and ancient stone huts made it feel like a lost piece of the galaxy’s oldest history. Luke’s isolation there hit harder because of how raw and untouched the place felt.

Then there’s Canto Casino. Whether you liked the subplot or not, the city of Canto Bight on Cantonica gave us a rare look at luxury in Star Wars. Alien elites gambling while the galaxy burned showed the side of war most stories ignore—the people who profit. The city felt sleek, corrupt, and flashy in a way that contrasted well with the gritty rebellion elsewhere.

2. The First 30 Minutes of The Force Awakens Were Genuinely Great

We have to admit this: The Force Awakens had one of the strongest openings in the franchise. From the moment Kylo Ren steps off that shuttle on Jakku and freezes a blaster bolt mid-air, you can feel the energy shift. That wasn’t just a cool Force trick—it told us we were dealing with a terrifying new villain.

Then there’s the way the story introduces Finn. Watching a stormtrooper panic on the battlefield, question his orders, and make a run for it? That was fresh. The camera lingers on the bloody handprint on his helmet—a simple visual that says so much without a single line of dialogue. You immediately know something’s different about this guy.

And of course, Rey’s intro. We see her scavenging inside the wreckage of a fallen Star Destroyer, working alone and surviving in the harsh landscape of Jakku. There’s no need for exposition, we understand who she is by what she does. The quiet visuals, the minimal dialogue, and John Williams’ score all build her character naturally. It’s a strong, efficient piece of storytelling that gives us a sense of her world without spelling everything out.

This first act had setup, mystery, new characters we cared about, and just enough old trilogy callbacks without feeling overwhelming. If the rest of the trilogy had kept this kind of tone and focus, we might be talking about the sequels in a completely different way.

3. Kylo Ren Was Easily the Most Compelling Part of the Sequels

I think most of us can agree—Kylo Ren was easily one of the best things to come out of the sequels. If the original trilogy gave us the classic villain duo of Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine, the sequels introduced something different. Kylo Ren wasn’t just another dark side enforcer, he broke the mold. He was unstable, emotional, and constantly torn between light and dark, which made him feel fresh in a way Star Wars villains usually don’t.

Unlike the composed and calculating antagonists of previous installments, Kylo is volatile and emotionally driven. His introduction in The Force Awakens immediately sets this tone, showcasing his raw power and unpredictable nature.

Adam Driver’s portrayal brings a unique depth to Kylo Ren. His internal struggle between the light and dark sides of the Force is palpable, adding complexity to his character. That tug-of-war between the light and the dark was always right there on his face, and it gave him way more depth than most Star Wars villains we’ve seen before.

Despite how great Kylo Ren was, and how incredible Adam Driver’s performance turned out, his redemption arc and the whole Knights of Ren storyline didn’t really live up to expectations. We saw glimpses of real conflict in him, especially in The Last Jedi, where his connection to Rey felt like it was building toward something bold and different. But by the time we got to The Rise of Skywalker, it all felt rushed. His turn back to the light happens fast, with little time to sit in the moment or really explore what it meant.

And the Knights of Ren? They were hyped up across the trilogy—cool design, mysterious background—but they barely do anything. By the time they actually show up for a fight, it’s too little, too late. It’s a missed opportunity that still stings a bit, especially since Kylo Ren had all the potential to be one of the most layered Star Wars characters ever.

4. The Sequel Trilogy Has Some of the Best Acting

Daisy Ridley gave Rey a believable emotional core, even when the script gave her little to work with. You could feel the pain, the confusion, the need to belong—especially in her scenes where she’s torn between identity and destiny.

John Boyega had real presence as Finn, especially in The Force Awakens. That opening scene, where a stormtrooper hesitates, visibly shaken by the violence, was one of the most humanizing moments we’ve ever gotten for the rank-and-file in the galaxy. And Oscar Isaac? He made Poe Dameron a fan-favorite with just a smirk and a “Who talks first?” His charisma carried through, even when the story didn’t quite know what to do with him later on.

Even supporting roles hit hard. Andy Serkis as Snoke, Domhnall Gleeson’s over-the-top Hux, and Laura Dern as Holdo—they all brought something distinct. It’s frustrating, honestly, how much talent this trilogy had. The acting wasn’t the problem. It never was.

5. The Sequels Have the Best Cinematography in All of Star Wars

Even if the sequels didn’t always stick the landing, I can’t deny how good they looked, especially when the cinematography helped turn simple scenes into something way more impactful.

Take the Holdo Maneuver in The Last Jedi. That moment worked because of how it was shot. Complete silence, just a blinding flash tearing across space, it didn’t just look good, it felt huge. Same with the throne room fight right after Snoke’s death. The red backdrop, the glowing weapons, and the symmetry of Kylo and Rey fighting back-to-back made that entire sequence unforgettable.

Or in The Force Awakens, when Han walks out onto that bridge. The lighting says it all. One side is lit in cold blue, the other in red. As the light shifts just before Kylo stabs him, it tells the story without any dialogue. That’s the kind of visual storytelling Star Wars rarely nailed this well before.

Even The Rise of Skywalker had great shots. Say what you want about the story, but Rey and Kylo’s fight on the Death Star wreckage, with waves crashing and the sound barely cutting through—it’s one of the most cinematic fights in the saga.

Honestly, the sequels had problems, but cinematography wasn’t one of them. These movies knew how to make a frame hit hard, even when the script didn’t.