Only time will tell where the majority of us place this in our lists of best Star Wars movies; I’m guessing third, second, maybe even first for some. “The Force Awakens” ought to turn Boyega and Ridley into massive stars, and some of the best moments in the film are a testament to just how excellent the “Star Wars” casting was the first time around: Fisher, Ford and Hamill have scenes of great and subtle power.
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Mr Abrams has brought it back to life, confidently reintroducing us to the galaxy we knew a long time ago.
And they get some of that. Cartoon violence is the worst kind.
The seventh instalment in the series, which comes 10 years after the last film, reunites the original trio who were absent from the prequels.
For all these films’ pulpy roots, Abrams gets that these people are as real to us as any family member, and that when they bleed, we cry. Warnings ignore, do not. It is huge fun and hugely derivative: it ticks every box, rifles every memory, renovates much-loved characters without damaging the brand heritage.
That is not to say that the film doesn’t have its own merits and its own charming new characters who many will fall in love with. But perhaps even more for action scenes that beautifully blend violence with emotional impact, not to mention top-notch visual effects.
But the one thing that sets it above the most recent Star Wars trilogy is its journey into the unknown.
And yes, as highly publicized, you will eventually see evidence of Han Solo and Princess Leia (though you shouldn’t address her that way) and Luke Skywalker, although in very different quantities.
As Rey and Finn are established as new franchise leads, they embark on a journey that finds both old and new characters often harkening subtly to the past. Isn’t that what we all wanted anyway? J Abrams is as big a STAR WARS fan boy of any of us. George Lucas was a white bloke’s bloke in terms of race and gender politics.
But those are two minor gripes with the film. Even so, the shamelessness with which “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” replays the franchise’s greatest hits is startling. Almost her equal is John Boyega’s Finn, a reformed Stormtrooper trying to pass himself off as part of the Resistance, the good guys in this edition, who are at odds with the First Order aka the Dark Side. Each of them has a secret, of course.
They will be taken straight to a multiplex cinema near Charles de Gaulle airport before flying home after it finishes. Thirty years after the Empire was defeated, he is more legend than fact. The other one is a new Darth Vader-esque masked villain named Kylo Ren, played by Adam Driver. The First Order, ruled by Supreme Leader Snoke (Andy Serkis), has fought back against the New Republic, and has tried to reestablish Imperial rule over the galaxy.
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“”BB-8 is a new high for cinema’s expressive machines.””. Only fitting then, that all three return to this new film. It is in no way disappointing, except in its conformity. It is possible to be too successful, although I am sure that many, starting with Disney’s bosses, would argue the point. A lot of stuff happened, but what you need to know is that The Empire – the all-powerful, fascist galactic government – was brought to its knees by these adorable, fuzzy little creatures called Ewoks, who were armed with slingshots at the Battle of Endor.
