“This will begin to make things right.”
Those are the first words spoken in the highly anticipated seventh installment of the world-famous “Star Wars” saga. The words have an extra meaning, as most fans write off the last few films in the series (dubbed the “Prequel Trilogy”) as failing to capture the magic of the original trilogy in the '70s and '80s. Director JJ Abrams (who, interestingly enough, also directed the 2009 “Star Trek” reboot) promised that “The Force Awakens” would be a return to form for the series and it was!
When “Star Wars” first opened in 1977 it wasn’t predicted to be as huge of a phenomenon as it turned out to be. “The Force Awakens” is a much different entity, however. It’s a movie that knows it has a huge fan base to please and it does so in the best way. There are a crazy amount of spoilers in the movie (even more, for super-fans like myself) and they won’t be spoiled here. Instead, here’s why you should see it.
- The film is a call back to the original trilogy in more ways than one. Actually, a lot more ways than one, as the plot almost seems to follow the template of the original film (right down to the lonely young protagonist on a desert planet). This can be a little distracting for big fans, but the movie is so good you’ll forget it.
- The movie is cast perfectly, from the new trio of heroes Rey (Daisy Ridley), Finn (John Boyega), and Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac), to the return of old favorites Harrison Ford as Han Solo and Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia. “Girls” star Adam Driver plays the film’s main villain, Kylo Ren, and his performance is perfect--a tortured soul who has his own motivations for being “evil.” Not to mention the fact that he looks awesome and his robotic voice is on par with that of the iconic Darth Vader, with whom the character is obsessed with. The film’s diversity is also inspiring with an African-American and a woman at the helm of the film. The film also includes Captain Phasma, “Star Wars’” first live-action female villain, although the character–played by “Game of Thrones’” Gwendolyn Christie–is criminally underused.
- There’s a large amount of references to the older films. The re-introduction of the Millennium Falcon is perfect and there are plenty of famous lines that are repeated or reimagined. The “practical effects” of the old films are also prevalent, as it was highly advertised that anything that could be actually filmed (explosions, alien designs) would be, and this is very apparent in the final product.
- The computer-generated effects are fantastic. There are thrilling action sequences involving X-wings and other spaceships and, of course, there are incredible lightsaber duels. Lupita N’yongo’s character Maz Kanata is done through motion capture (the technique that turned Andy Serkis into Caesar in “Rise of the Planet of the Apes”) and her character interacts seamlessly with the other characters and objects. Less fitting is Andy Serkis’ character Supreme Leader Snoke, who is very intimidating but is animated in a more cartoonish way than anything else in the film.
- The shocks in this film are more shocking than you’d expect. Both screenings for me were full of audience gasps.
- You don’t have to be a “Star Wars” fan to enjoy the film. The film is highly referential to the old series, but it also reinvents the wheel–thus providing an entry way for new fans. It’s a film for everyone with humor, drama, action, and a healthy helping of nostalgia. See it as soon as you can, if you can still get a ticket!
