Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Happy New Year everyone! What better way to start a new year with a film everyone watched over the holiday season – The Force Awakens! I didn’t get to see it until after Christmas so avoided all reviews (including spoiler free ones) until I got to watch it for myself.* I went to watch the original trilogy in preparation for the seventh film. The wait was over, everyone was simply raving about it on social media – I have to say, I definitely agree with the hype; the film simply delivers to expectation and I cannot wait for the next installment.

*It was almost a spoiler-free run, until my cousin mentioned a scene over Christmas dinner. Merry Christmas to me. 

Its format and story reminiscent of A New Hope, The Force Awakens introduces its main character, Rey akin to Luke Skywalker’s introduction. She knows about the resistance, the droid BB-8 finds her and she helps it get back to its master. Along the way she collides with Finn, who was a Storm Trooper who deflected from the First Order. The First Order is the current enemy of the Resistance, led by Kylo Ren. The droid that accompanies Rey holds a map that would show Luke Skywalker’s whereabouts – the First Order wants Skywalker destroyed, as he is the last Jedi Knight. On their run from the Order, they encounter familiar faces – Han Solo and Princess Leia – and plans way to defeat the First Order and the new weapon they had constructed. 

The film was worth the wait. It’s plot driven and the new characters are given rich or mysterious backgrounds. Due to its storytelling it gives off waves of nostalgia, something that the prequels haven’t done. The effects were great; the battle and chase scenes were intense. The cinematography was amazing – it frames much of the crucial scenes perfectly that it wasn’t difficult to get caught up with all the action. I got to watch this in 3-D and everything was jumping out the screen. If you don’t mind watching films in 3-D, or haven’t seen this in 3-D, I suggest you do so. 

Besides the familiar faces joining in the new saga, the new characters were terrific. Daisy Ridley was phenomenal. Part of the success of the films would be given by the new characters, and Ridley certainly fills the shoes. Her character was strong and brave, and curious and excited. I felt that Rey resembled all of us while watching the new installment for the first time – her excitement on meeting Han Solo and being in the Millenium Falcon, or the possibility of meeting Luke Skywalker? Who wouldn’t be ecstatic in seeing them back in action? Supporting her character is John Boyega, who played Finn really well. His character resembles Han Solo in ways. Ridley and Boyega had great dynamic as Rey and Finn, and I would love to see more of them in the next installment. 

Adam Driver made a great villain in Kylo Ren. I liked how layered his character was instead of being a two-dimensional villain. I’m excited for what his character has in store in the future films. Domhnall Gleeson, who played General Hux, looked like he was overdoing his character. Compared to his trilogy counterparts, Harrison Ford played a major role in this installment. He was still very much the character, but has developed internally. This film allowed a more emotional Han Solo to emerge. 

It’s a great introduction to the trilogy, and I’m hoping it couples well with the Star Wars anthologies being released alternately to the sequel trilogy.

Cast: Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac

Director: J.J. Abrams

Year: 2015