Let me go out and say that regardless of what we say as reviewers, or at the risk of so much as sounding a fan boy, you’re going to go see Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens. My fear was exaggerated when I felt that this could end up as The Phantom Menace: Part Deux but I’m happy to note that the seventh movie in the epic space saga trumps the prequel trilogy combined.That said, you have to understand that The Force Awakens is just one of many grand schemes that Disney has in store for us, the best description I would put this movie is designed to gain new a generation fans in the younger ages whilst retaining a familiar audience, the like of us who watched Return of The Jedi on VHS. With the way Disney has remarkably put a tight lid on the story from its trailers, it’s now time to let the big moment sink in and watch what is arguably the biggest blockbuster of 2015. Consider this review spoiler free.
With the high expectation of finding itself in creating a new arc. The Force Awakens intends to follow on an already established story that seems familiar yet in its greatest endeavor there’s something missing, the magic that cemented the Original Trilogy’s status. The best way to describe The Force Awakens would be A New Hope: The Remix.
It’s not a bad film in most respects, the cast hold their own, the sequences are great and without a doubt plenty of praise goes for the technical elements of the film but my main gripe with the story, which picks up in the near future after the events in ROTJ. The progression of the film seems to have elements taken straight from A New Hope and reworked in this new story and while it pays homage to it, it may have dedicated itself entirely to the fourth film. There was after all fears that this could play out from the last three films that, George Lucas made with good intentions, which I’ll explain in a bit. The prequels didn’t work at explaining the far reaching stories running parallel with Anakin Skywalker’s fall to the dark side.
So we may have to forgive The Force Awakens for not doing anything different. There are so many loose ends that don’t get tied up especially for people who are hungry to learn why there’s a new sense of good vs. evil, who are these new characters are and what new directions they were heading in, which I’m sure will get addressed in Episodes 8 and 9.
While I can’t reveal where the Skywalker arc follows, I can tell you that J.J. Abrams has done well in combining casts, both old and new. There’s this connection you feel when you see Chewbacca, Han Solo and Princess, now, General Leia on screen for the first time retaining the same spunk but wiser that time has made them to be. Fresh faces, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac who play the characters, Rey, Finn and Poe Dameron respectively, can turn the film from its darkest moments by providing light hearted segues when you least expect it. Adam Driver’s Kylo Ren is menacing and if the trailers are anything to go by has serious anger management issues that stem from the Dark Side. Expect to see other familiar faces as well and if you’re wondering whether that new ball droid is of any substance in this film? Let’s just say it BB-8 will warm your heart.
Traditionally Star Wars has been something of legacy that passes from one hand to another and no one knows this better than Abrams, who has merged such a diverse cast and found ways to create the start of relationships between the new characters.
Visually, Star Wars reminds the fan in all of us, the spectacular contrasting landscapes between lush green planets, the tundra and the dreary harsh landscape of Jakku. Interestingly, Jakku plays out in such a way that often gives Rey characteristics we see in Luke before he begins his adventure and there’s going to plenty times to spot references and “Aha!” moments throughout the film. Especially when you realize that’s Abu Dhabi in there and you heart swells a little bit to see a piece of home go on the big screen. You’re going to hear the familiar tones of John Williams’s music that you know and love, because let’s face it Star Wars without John Williams, is not Star Wars.
I wouldn’t go as far to call The Force Awakens a fan service fest, George Lucas giving his seal of approval (begrudgingly I can imagine) says that it was the Star Wars Movie that the fans were looking for and in that moment of admission, I would think that this wasn’t truly what Lucas has in mind. J.J Abrams seems to have gotten all points right except there’s more to it than just lightsabers, space battles and the Force and that’s where I’m torn about the prequel trilogy as it existed to provide a deeper cover to the internal struggles of empires and republics which were meant to be something that could be a great visual opera. Of course, with all that happening in his grand vision, things fell apart and fans truly felt he was turning to “the dark side.” However, at the end of it, Lucas set out to create something different.
With J. J’s helming, The Force Awakens however seems to like to stay in its comfort zones and it makes it a very safe film. Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t one of those films that hangs on to every thread of a New hope but, I’m one of the few who expected something different but it’s all set up in this balanced air tight story that sets it up for future films.
Star Wars: Force Awakens is a testament that will capture hearts and make us all feel like children again. The cinema at which I saw it at had grown men and women sing the theme song, laugh, cry, and get shocked. It was special connection that gives the film a human that will awaken us all.
This article originally appeared on FilmDebate.com