Ror Reviews: STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS
After what seemed like an endless wait, we will finally get the opportunity to catch another Star Wars movie on the big screen when The Force Awakens hits theaters this weekend. What did this lifelong fan make of J.J. Abrams' return to the galaxy far, far away? Click to find out...
With those familiar blue letters, iconic horn blast, and opening crawl, Star Wars returns to the big screen with J.J. Abrams' The Force Awakens. It's something nobody ever really expected to happen after the prequels, but here we are. For me, sitting down for this was easily the most excited/nervous I can ever recall being for a film.
Star Wars was the first movie I remember seeing, and ignited my love of sci-fi/fantasy at a very young age. The prequels were definitely a huge disappointment, but even they couldn't tarnish my love for the original trilogy and when I found out Disney/Lucasfilm were planning to continue the saga I was delighted, and cautiously optimistic that there was no way they'd repeat the mistakes of the last 3 movies.
On the contrary - Abrams and co. exceeded all of my expectations and delivered what is probably my second favourite Star Wars flick.
A lot of the reviews you'll read will claim to be spoiler free and yet strongly hint at plot points and big reveals etc. I toyed with the idea of making this a spoiler heavy breakdown, but after seeing the movie I decided against it... though it is very difficult to discuss what I felt worked/didn't work without giving something away. Let's just say that anyone worried that they may have seen too much in the various trailers and TV spots needn't be - what they chose to reveal only scratches the surface.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens almost seamlessly blends nostalgia with a fresh new energy, and the classic characters are utilized perfectly. Of the four main returnees, Han and Chewie get the most screen time and it's difficult to put into words just how amazing it felt seeing these two bicker and blast their way around the galaxy again. Harrison Ford has been accused of phoning it in a bit these last few years, but trust me when I tell you he pretty much steals the show. Carrie Fisher also does great work as Leia in a smaller role, and Mark Hamill as Luke.... well, that'd be telling!
Of our new heroes, Daisy Ridley as Rey emerges as the heart of the story but she's brilliantly supported by John Boyega, who brings humanity and a lot of humor to the role of former Stormtrooper Finn. Oscar Isaac has less to do, but still makes an impact as the Resistance's "most daring pilot", Poe Dameron. Then there's Adam Driver's villain, Kylo Ren. This is the character that's hardest to discuss for fear of revealing too much but what the Girls actor brings to the role is something very special. Cold, ruthless, at times almost comically petulant under the mask; a damaged, conflicted, perhaps even tragic figure is unearthed beneath it. Domhnall Gleeson threatens to take things a bit too far as the fascistic General Hux, but his OTT performance actually works in the end. The only real let down in Captain Phasma (Gwendoline Christie), who literally has about 3 scenes and fails to make any kind of impact. Perhaps this was inevitable with such a large cast, but it's a shame such a potentially cool female villain was the casualty.
The movie is such a joy overall that it really seems nitpicky to bring up its problems, but they are there. For the most part the action scenes are handled very well but one set piece in particular feels a bit out of place, and thrilling as the aerial battles are at first, by the end they do get a tad repetitive. The story, too, is a little familiar (some have called this a New Hope remake which is ridiculous, but there are definitely similarities), and at times it's hard to know if we are intentionally being kept in the dark about certain plot points, or they're simply being brushed over. Ultimately I can't see many fans caring about such things though, especially when you take into account that they're inherent in pretty much every big studio blockbuster these days anyway.
J.J. Abrams deserves credit for not only reinvigorating this franchise, but making our return to this universe such a magical experience in every way possible. My only real concern is that he won't be at the helm of the next two instalments! Star Wars: The Force Awakens is an emotional, funny, exciting, and despite some very dark moments, hopeful film. I loved every second of it, and I think any real Star Wars fan will too.