Star Wars: The Force Awakens Review

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Review

A lifelong Star Wars fan’s take on The Force Awakens

In late 2012 Star Wars fans experienced some shock. Lucasfilm had been sold to the Walt Disney Company for $4.05 Billion. Not only that, but Disney also announced a new Star Wars film was officially in the making. By 2015 Star Wars fans would have a new film. Fans were also promised a full trilogy and other films to expand the universe. There was a stirring in Force.

When it was announced in early 2013 that J.J Abrams would be the director, there were admittedly some who questioned the upcoming films direction. J.J. Abrams pleasantly surprises, however, winning over the fan base by promising a return to practical effects (REAL explosions!), on-location photography and real-life sets. It was a far cry from the Star Wars prequel trilogy in the late 1990s and 2000s.

The focus on real sets, real locations, and traditional film making shows within minutes of the film’s opening. A real desert. These are real actors. There are even Jim Henson Company animatronics for creatures and aliens. The signature robot for the film, BB-8, is a real ball and actually works like you see in the film. It is like being a kid, filled with wonder over “how did they do that” all over again. While there are special effects, as it is a sci-fi movie, every effort was made to make moviegoers feel like they are part of the Star Wars universe.

The old cast members return but the focus is on new cast and characters. New main characters Finn (John Boyega), Rey (Daisy Ridley), and Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) are impressive. Not only do we have a diverse cast, with a male black lead, a strong female lead, but we even have a potential interracial romance. It is all significant, yet it did not feel forced. Get it, forced?

Finn’s character has real internal conflict. He has actual, genuine humor. Finn is not present just for  black humor tropes, to great relief. Finn is paired with Han Solo (Harrison Ford) for a good portion of the film, and does not fail to keep up with Han Solo’s character and Harrison Ford’s decades of experience. Rey is quite possibly the best written female lead character in a science fiction movie since Sigourney Weaver’s performance in Alien. Finally is the character Kylo Ren. While some moviegoers have perceived his character as melodramatic, he comes across as truly powerful, filled with rage and not to be taken lightly. Kylo Ren is an exciting and new villain for Star Wars. There is mystery in him, like when you see Darth Vader in A New Hope for the first time. Overall, the new, returning, and supporting cast bring viewers into a rich and powerful universe. While the film may not receive recognition for the actors and actresses performances, it went beyond most expectations.

There were some small issues with the film. Without spoiling anything, I can safely say that the film’s plot is rather campy and is very obviously a “safe” film and screenplay. It is quite similar to the 1977 film A New Hope. Along with this campiness comes the role of technology. There are some cringe-worthy moments where the film attempts to explain the science behind what is going on in this completely fictional and fantasy universe. I can sum it up in one word, which had me startled in the movie theater the first time I saw the film: Oscillators. When you see the film, or if you have seen the film, you will know instantly why my constant grin during the movie took a turn and I let out a horrible sigh. Overall, however, I have very few complaints with the film.

Fans will have to wait and see what the future holds, with two more films in the trilogy in the pipeline, and multiple spin offs. If this start is a sign of the works to come fans can rest assured that they will be satisfied when all is said and done. Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens is far from perfect, but it is wholly satisfying. The film is an excellent example of blending locations and technology in modern cinematography. I recommend everyone see the film at least once in theaters.

5/5 BB-8 Droids skittering across the open desert (image courtesy)

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