‘Star Wars The Force Awakens’ gives fans a ‘New Hope’
There will be no spoilers here as J.J. Abrams’ Star Wars: The Force Awakens has successfully kept a lid on the big secrets and twists in the new film. Fans have guessed nearly every possible scenario, but the ride is truly fun, entertaining and exhilarating and should smash box office records.
Daisy Ridley’s Rey is the new protagonist, scavenging on a new desert planet called Jakku. Where is new family? Who is her family? All questions answered on the journey following a similar formula as former Star Wars films.
John Boyea and Daisy Ridley
Finn (John Boyega) joins Rey and an entertaining new droid named BB-8 on the new adventure as the Dark Side has now manifested thirty years after The Return of the Jedi as The First Order. Original trilogy cast members are back and the rebels are now called The Resistance.
The new villain, played by Adam Driver, is Kylo Ren, under the instruction of the evil Snoke (Andy Serkis), completing all of the necessary set pieces. Ren is obsessed with Darth Vader and the annihilation of Jedi, wielding a cool red blade and an explosive temper.
Adam Driver’s Kylo Ren
Oscar Isaac plays a hot shot X-Wing pilot named Poe and Lupita Nyong’o voices the new Yoda-style sage called Maz.
Abrams sets up future films here, but delivers a film reminiscent of A New Hope.
In fact, be cautious of critics blasting the film as a remake of New Hope or a New Hope part deux (they will be out there), because if you are a fan of Abram’s Star Trek films, you will love how he pays homage to the 1977 classic Star Wars film directly and indirectly.
The cycle in Star Wars, the history repeating inside, is indeed blatant here, but that is a large point of the story: the Skywalker story. Unlike the prequel trilogy, Abrams uses tons of practical effects, alien costumes, detailed set pieces to ground the story like the original films.
There is CGI in Force Awakens, but is never overwhelming or distracting as it was in Attack of the Clones. Moreover, the performances are outstanding (in total contrast to Phantom Menace) with Ridley proving she’s capable of carrying the franchise for a couple of films.
Abrams and Lucasfilm will come away with an energized public, primed to buy toys and merchandise without feeling exploited like George Lucas did with Jar Jar Binks (and the Ewoks). The humor works great, mostly around Han and Chewie, who is more lovable than ever.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens receives 4 out of 5 stars
Haters will hate! Force Awakens has issues and may be too derivative at times, but the journey is awesome and tons of fun. Jurassic World made $1 billion worldwide in 13 days, so expect Star Wars 7 to best this total and the three-week total may just be jaw dropping.
Again, no spoilers, but yes, you do find out about Luke.
