DrDoom Reviews: STAR WARS EPISODE VII - THE FORCE AWAKENS

DrDoom Reviews: STAR WARS EPISODE VII - THE FORCE AWAKENS

Quite possibly the most popular film franchise of all time has finally returned to the big screen. Can the new Star Wars film live up to the hype, or should it have been destroyed by the Death Star? Click on for DrDoom's spoiler free verdict!

Review Opinion
By DrDoom - Dec 18, 2015 08:12 PM EST
Filed Under: Star Wars



The production of the original Star Wars film is a story that has been told numerous times, and so I will not delve into far too much detail here. Suffice to say, it was a film that by all accounts should never have come together. It was the passion project of a young filmmaker who dared to dream that he could create something that both paid homage to the film serials that inspired him in the first place while also injecting some much needed creativity into a genre that had since fallen into stagnation. During production, nothing worked right, nothing went according to plan, and it seemed like the movie was going to be a disaster that would be ignored by audiences and lambasted by critics.

Instead, the 1977 release of Star Wars became a pop culture sensation the likes of which had never been seen. Instantly ingrained within popular consciousness, the iconic characters, unforgettable visuals, beautiful music and the sense of adventure captured the imagination of the entire world. Even for the small amount of people who dismiss the series on a personal level, there is no way to discount the extraordinary effect that Star Wars has had on modern culture, even going beyond the realm of entertainment. Unlike nearly every other major media franchise, Star Wars could be legitimately considered to be the mythology of our time. The timeless struggle of the Light and the Dark Side, which can be seen both as an epic battle between galactic forces and as the personal battle we fight deep within our own souls, is one that will forever be a part of how generations of people perceive the world around them. Star Wars is not just a brand: it is a true unifying Force that binds all of humanity.



This is why when Disney bought the rights to the Star Wars license back in October 2012 from George Lucas for a grand total of four billion dollars, the entire world was sent into a frenzy. The idea that there could be a new chapter of the Star Wars saga on the big screen was one that was often deemed too amazing to believe. With the release of an Episode VII came the chance for the redemption of the series, which many felt had been tarnished by the Prequel Trilogy. While Star Wars had survived for decades through the Expanded Universe material that included hundreds of books, comics, cartoons and video games (with many of them happening to be very strong in the ways of the Force), it was time for a new film. While that meant that the old Expanded Universe would have to be expunged, it also meant that a new generation of storytellers could take full control and return the entire world to a galaxy far, far away.

Now, three years after the legendary deal that gave Disney control over Star Wars, the first film in a new trilogy has finally arrived. It is no secret that Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens is probably the most anticipated film of all time, perhaps even more so than The Phantom Menace was back in 1999. People all around the globe felt the call of the Force, knowing that there was the chance for something truly special to be brought to the table. While of course Disney is hoping that the movie will make enough cash to fill a Death Star (and it likely will), they are also hoping to bring about a whole new era for what is easily the most important franchise in entertainment history. With such an ungodly amount of hype behind it, is it even possible for The Force Awakens to deliver?

From the very beginning, the aesthetics of Star Wars are maintained by The Force Awakens in a way that is immediately pleasurable to anyone who can call themselves a fan of the series. The look and feel of the planets, the aliens, the droids, the ships, and yes, even the Stormtroopers, are simultaneously intact and also updated for a new age. The film begins thirty years after the end of Return of the Jedi, and while it is quite clear that time has passed, it also feels like stepping back into a universe that a part of you has never truly left. For people who hold the Force close to their hearts, the opening minutes of The Force Awakens are an absolute treat.

This blending of the old and the new also carries over to the plot and the characters, and the film manages to merge the previous generation of characters to the new one with relative ease. Like any good film, it becomes immediately apparent who the heroes are, who the villains are, and what the stakes are. Also, the film is incredibly light on exposition, preferring to relay many of its details, including motivations of key characters, through expertly crafted visual storytelling. While this also means that a few of the details regarding the state of the universe are left a bit vague, the pace and development of the plot and character arcs are far more important, and in these areas, The Force Awakens excels.

While it is wonderful to see all of the major members of the old cast return to their iconic roles, no one was questioning whether they could pull in great performances. However, the major new actors, those being John Boyega as Finn, Daisy Ridley as Rey, Oscar Isaac as Poe Dameron and Adam Driver as main villain Kylo Ren, are all absolutely impeccable. Each new major cast member expertly fits into the Star Wars mythology, and at no point do you question who they are and why they are motivated to do the things they do. Boyega and Ridley bring genuine emotional weight to the movie as the new leads, while Isaac pulls off his small but important role with all of the enthusiasm it requires. Special mention must be given to Driver, who may have crafted the most three-dimensional, compelling and arguably the most tragic Star Wars film villain yet. While Darth Vader is far more instantly iconic, Kylo Ren is more immediately dynamic, mixing together an intimidating presence with a shockingly realistic sense of vulnerability and inner torment, making for a fantastic antagonist.

Not surprisingly, the visual effects and action scenes are in top form, but what makes them so spectacular is that each one naturally weaves itself into the narrative as well as complimenting the emotional journeys of the characters. The reason why so many aspects of the Star Wars universe, such as the lightsabers, the X-Wings, the blaster rifles and the Death Star have endured is not because they are visually stunning in and of themselves, but because they were involved in moments that served both as action beats as well as emotional points within the character arcs, and The Force Awakens replicates this feat that the Original Trilogy did so well. John Williams' legendary score is also kept intact, with numerous iconic musical cues being perfectly placed. On a technical level, The Force Awakens is simply phenomenal.

There are a handful of small concerns that, while not necessarily detracting from the entire whole, are still worth noting. The most glaring issue is that Gwendoline Christie's Captain Phasma, who was a major figure in the film's marketing, is sorely underused. A couple of the minor plot beats could have used some fine tuning, and Poe Dameron is absent for a large stretch of the film, making his heavy focus in the finale seem somewhat arbitrary. However, these truly are very small quibbles when compared to the vast amount of talent on display here from all levels of the production. The excellent work done in the areas of direction, acting, writing and technical design of The Force Awakens simply cannot be understated.

What is most fascinating about The Force Awakens is that it manages to capture the essence of Star Wars both on an in-universe level but also on a metatextual one. While no one was doubting that The Force Awakens was going to dominate the box office, there was some very understandable scepticism that it could possibly live up to its gargantuan legacy. But J. J. Abrams pulled things together in a poetic fashion, creating a film that manages to both pay homage to the brand that shaped the imaginations of entire generations for four decades while simultaneously rejuvenating a franchise that, at least in terms of its films, had long since fallen into disrepair. The Force Awakens is the film that Star Wars fans wanted and deserved, and it marks an excellent return to form for the greatest space opera of all time.

The Force is strong with this one.

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JoeMomma29
JoeMomma29 - 12/18/2015, 11:18 PM
Here is my review!






I really wanted to love or like this movie.....I mean I love SW! But this movie just felt out of place......even more than those other turds Episode 1-3......

Ugh Kylo R. was just annoying did not feel menacing like Darth Vader.......Captin Phasma was a waste......she had no impact on anything in the movie. Crap even Boba Fett in Empire Strikes Back he had very limited screen time but he was utilized so well. She should have been a badass........and nothing.

I was fine with the major death in the movie........that actor always wanted that character to die. I was fine with Luke at the end......to me that spoke a lot.

But little things also bothered me, like C-3PO saying your probably do not recognize me due to my red arm.......well can you please explain why you have a red arm.......!

Or how Rey just figured out the force......I mean Luke was highly gifted with the force and had to be trained to even deflect little lasers from that training ball. Yet she was able to use Jedi Mind tricks.......... and then take down a person who was trained by a Jedi Master!!!!!!!

Holy crap I am so disappointed.........

And yes it was a rehash of episode 4 and 6......same plot and same ending!

I mean you can tell that Rey was separated from her parents because she was force sensitive and she was put on a desert planet.....she is discovered and has to get the plans to the rebels errrr I mean resistance. She fights in battles on the Mill Falcon......needs to get secret plans.....errr a map to the rebels.......gets captured by the Empire...errr I mean the First
Order......escapes on a giant base on the Mill Falcon.........see a father figure Ben K......errrrr (spoiler) get killed.........and bam giant base gets destroyed! Then she goes off to get trained by yoda........errr Luke.

Yup that was episode 4, 5, and 6 mashed into one!
PesciGotPepsi
PesciGotPepsi - 12/19/2015, 7:15 AM
@JoeMomma29

"But little things also bothered me, like C-3PO saying your probably do not recognize me due to my red arm.......well can you please explain why you have a red arm......."

The only reason 3PO has a red arm is so they can make more 3PO toys. lol
Yeah, I would also have liked an explanation, except that Disney wanted to profit more of the toys.
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 12/19/2015, 12:43 PM
Who gives a shit why he has a red arm! Jesus Christ
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 12/19/2015, 12:44 PM
Great review DrDoom, agree completely.
MrJillyMcBeam
MrJillyMcBeam - 12/19/2015, 1:36 PM
Good heavens....Doom and I completely agree on something.
SauronsBANE
SauronsBANE - 12/19/2015, 3:51 PM
GREAT review, Doom! You managed to perfectly describe what makes the movie work so well while also acknowledging and contextualizing almost every criticism I personally had with the movie...with the exception of the plot itself.

I understand the need for it to so closely mirror A New Hope, and for the most part JJ walked on the right side of that fine line. But I still can't help but feel that it leans on the original a bit too much. And the script itself tries to get by on 1 or 2 too many coincidences/conveniences/contrivances (all of which I just spelled out in LEVITIKUZ's review).

I originally considered my issues too be just nitpicks, but they still keep nagging at me. I'll need another re-watch or two before pinning down my exact thoughts. Again though, great stuff! Thumbed.
ChuckThePirate
ChuckThePirate - 12/19/2015, 4:43 PM
@JoeMomma29 I hate to be the one to break it to you, but you don't love Star Wars. Hating 4/7 of a thing definitively puts you in the "hates this thing" category.
marvel72
marvel72 - 12/19/2015, 5:35 PM
It was miles better than the prequels and that's all that matters to me.
loki668
loki668 - 12/19/2015, 9:07 PM
Are we still at the point where we need to define the difference between facts and opinions? Still?
pepe
pepe - 12/20/2015, 12:07 AM
Prequels were better... This one dont fit in the Star wars universe. Keep Jar jar Abrams away of Star wars!!!!
PesciGotPepsi
PesciGotPepsi - 12/20/2015, 2:20 AM
^ LMFAO

Such stupidity in one comment

FA fits PERFECTLY into the tone and universe set by the originals.
Tempo
Tempo - 12/20/2015, 5:36 AM
[frick] Jar Jar Abrams, the movie is even weaker than the prequels, too easy make a remake of Episode IV.
Brainiac13
Brainiac13 - 12/20/2015, 9:34 AM
Great review 😊😀☺😁
AquaMexicanMan
AquaMexicanMan - 12/20/2015, 10:00 PM
@pepe its funny that you used "Jar-Jar" as an insult to Abrams when Jar-Jar was one of the many reasons the prequels sucked. But I guess to each his own
MercwithMouth
MercwithMouth - 12/21/2015, 6:40 AM
Very nice review Doom. Well written.

Star Wars still sucks big floppy donkey dick. And trust me, I know a little something on the subject. Right @McGee?
JorLBola
JorLBola - 12/21/2015, 7:33 AM
I'm totally agree with @JoeMomma29
The movie was weak, specially Kylo Ren, SPOILERES!
At the beginning he seems to be very powerful and ruthless but at the end he turns into a spoiled child defeated by a the novice Rey.

JorLBola
JorLBola - 12/21/2015, 7:34 AM
Jar Jar Abrams ! LOL!
norseman79
norseman79 - 12/21/2015, 11:21 PM
LOL... You idiots can't understand why Kylo lost to Rey?

He had been shot by a [frick]ing bowcaster, which had been shown to be ragdolling enemies and one shotting everyone for the entire [frick]ing movie. Add to that the fact that he had also just killed his own father, while clearly being conflicted about it, up to, and after doing so. The guy was a complete mess emotionally and physically by the time Rey decided to fight.

It was a bit derivative, but everything is. Especially anthology series like Star Wars. It's constantly referencing and repeating themes and story points throughout all 7 movies.

People are bashing it for stupid ass reasons.
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