Session 4 Media Analysis
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Session 4 Media Analysis
Matthew Timmons
Colorado Christian University
PHL-205A-35014-FA23 – Worldviews
Professor Quintana
December 18, 2023
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In a galaxy far, far away, we go on a journey through a media analysis of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker involving worldview(s) it incorporates. The Rise of Skywalker was released in 2019 and was co-written and directed by J.J. Abrams. Lucasfilm and Abram's production company, Bad Robot Productions, produced the film. After viewing the film and listening to the dialogue, a viewer can discover the film had a Christian worldview concerning characters Rey and Kylo Ren. The characters in the film demonstrate Christian worldview core traits through temptation, mercy, spiritual Adoption, and redemption. Temptation is a part of life that not only characters in movies and TV shows deal with but everyone in life. From the film's beginning, we have Kylo Ren tempted by Emperor Palpatine. "I will give you so much more" (Kennedy & Abrams, 4:50:00). The evil emperor was tempting Kylo Ren with the promise of everything and the power of the final order. This temptation comes with strings, just as most temptation does. Kylo must kill Rey and the Jedi, and he will become what his grandfather, Darth Vader, could not. Kylo seems to give in to the temptation of power. Immediately, a person thinks of Jesus when Satan attempted to tempt him in the wilderness. "Then Jesus was led up by the spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil" (Holy Bible, English Standard Version, 2016). These are very similar. Both Jesus and Kylo were both tempted by the devil. Jesus is shown the kingdoms of the world and their glory. The devil said to Jesus, "All these I will give you, if you fall down and worship me" (Holy Bible, English Standard Version, 2016). The enemy is crafty. We know that Jesus did not fall for Satan's tactic and was told by Jesus to be gone, and Satan left. Kylo, on the other hand, does fall for the temptation but only wants to kill the emperor and have Rey join him and rule the Galaxy together. Temptation leads to sin. The enemy is here to steal, kill, and destroy. Sometimes, I fell for temptation, and other
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times, with the power of God, I could resist. One thing I do not think people realize or think about is that times have changed, but so has the devil. Just as the world has evolved, so has the enemy and his tactics to tempt us.
The trait of mercy from a Christian view is displayed in the film. Hebrews 4:16 says, "Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy, and find grace to help us in our time of need" (Holy Bible, NIV, 1973/2011). The first instance of mercy in the film is when Rey and fellow hero characters find themselves trapped in a cavern with a snake creature with no way out. Po, one of the people trapped in the cavern, wants to kill
the creature. Having mercy, Rey notices and senses that the creature is angry and wants to attack because it is wounded and in pain. Rey, showing grace and mercy, touches the creature's wound and heals it using the force. Rey tells her droid BB-8, "I just transferred a bit of life, Force energy from me to him (Kennedy & Abrams, 35:40:02). Faced with danger, your fight or flight response will kick in. Rey chooses to show mercy and not let fear and anger rule so she can save
their lives. Myers & Noebel (2015) says, "It was an act of mercy to not prolong their lives forever. Death mercifully came to Adam and Eve" (p.38). Yes, Adam and Eve sinned, but mercy was still shown. Rey showed mercy as the bible teaches us to give mercy and grace as mercy and grace is given to us by God. God's mercies are new every morning. Rey valued life, which is an essential trait in the Christian worldview.
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Spiritual Adoption Is a theme with the character rate. Spiritual Adoption is a part of the Christian worldview. The character Rey never knew her real family. Ray learned of her family ancestry and being the granddaughter of the evil Emperor Palpatine. Rey found a new family in Luke, Leia, and others. Family does not necessarily mean blood-related. "Because you're a Palpatine? Leia knew it, too" (Kennedy & Abrams, 1:37:47). Leia still trained Rey regardless. Leia did not judge Rey because of her bloodline but because she saw her spirit and heart. Is this not what God asks us to judge, not by outward appearances but by the person's heart? In a Christian perception in Romans 8:15, "The Spirit you received does not make you slaves so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption" (Holy Bible, NIV, 1973/2011). Rey finds love in her new family. They have her best interests at heart. Rey was
"welcomed and shown love and selflessness" (Rossi, 2019, p. 2), a Christian worldview requirement. "Not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others" (Holy Bible, NIV, 1973/2011, Philippians 2:4). That is precisely what her newfound family does, even though they were not required to, but they did it because of the love they have for her. Rey adopts the last name Skywalker as she spiritually adopts the people who adopted her. Just as in Christian life, Rey's natural heritage does not dictate her destiny, but her choices do.
Redemption was a part of the character Kylo Ren's development in the film. He accomplished his redemption through the ways of the Christian lifestyle. Kylo has a saber fight with Rey; he is distracted by his mother, Leia (through the force), who uses the last of her energy to reach her son using love. He is mortally wounded, but Rey uses the force to heal him. Kylo's father (Han Solo) appears to him. Kylo says to Han your son is dead, but Han says no, Kylo Ren is dead, but my son (Ben Solo) lives. Kylo does as it states in 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our
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sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (Holy Bible, NIV, 1973/2011). Kylo "confesses his sins to his father (whom he murdered in two films before this), and his father forgives him" (Rossi, 2019, p. 2), and Ben Solo is reborn again. The good Lord wants us to come to him and repent to be cleansed of all transgressions.
This film not only provided entertainment but also displayed the Christian worldview. The film incorporated teachable moments about the Christian way without coming out and saying this is a Christian viewpoint. The Rise of Skywalker story plot uses struggles that each of us who are Christian will face. We each have our crosses to bear. "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it" (Holy Bible, NIV, 1973/2011, John 1:5).
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References
Myers, J. & Noebel, D. (2015). Understanding the times: A survey of competing worldviews. Manitou Springs, CO: Colorado Springs, Summit Ministries
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. (2016)
. Crossway.
Kennedy, K. (Producer), & Abrams, J.J. (Director). (2019). Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker [Motion Picture]. United States: Walt Disney Studios
The Holy Bible, New International Version
. (1973/2011). Crossway.
Rossi, T. (2019, December 21). Light One Candle – the blog of The Christophers.
Light One
Candle – the Blog of the Christophers. https://thechristophersblog.org/2019/12/21
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