Star Wars The Force Awakens review
Rest assured Star Wars fans. You won’t have to complain endlessly about how Director J.J. Abrams further ruined your childhood. Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens will likely leave a new generation obsessed about a franchise from a galaxy far, far away. Longtime fans? Maybe not so much as the film undoes a lot of what made the original trilogy so beloved.
In this instance, it’d be a disservice to reveal too much of the plot details. There’s some major spoilers in the film so it’s best to see Awakens as soon as possible so you don’t read about the big reveals online rather than in the theater.
Thankfully, most of the online speculation and rumors were way off-base. And whoever cut the film’s trailer deserves a raise for whetting fans’ appetite to insatiable levels while preserving the film’s major moments.
Thirty years have passed since the events in Return of the Jedi. The First Order, the remnants of the Galactic Empire, are hunting down Luke Skywalker led by General Hux (Domhnall Gleeson) and Kylo Ren (Adam Driver). Clad in all black and wielding a red lightsaber, Ren’s similarities to Darth Vader are not a coincidence. Opposing the First Order is the Resistance led by Leia (Carrie Fisher) along with some old friends.
Through a series of random events, Finn (John Boyega) meets Resistance pilot Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) before the pair separate and Finn meets Rey (Daisy Ridley), a scavenger on the desolate planet Jakku. Rey already stumbled onto Poe’s droid BB-8 and the trio attempt to return BB-8 to the Resistance and reveal the important information it carries.
For all the pre-Force Awakens hype, pretty much everyone is going to want a BB-8 of their own [Sphero BB-8 App-Enabled Droid] 
Awakens just feels like Star Wars in a way most of the prequels felt somewhat detached. This is the same lived-in Star Wars world of Tatooine, Hoth and Endor with large scale sets that don’t have that CGI-refined coat of polish from the prequels.
In one especially telling action sequence, the Millennium Falcon’s targeting display retains the same old school grid look from Star Wars.
There’s a lot of humor as well to further endear the characters and recapture that sense of regular folks in a galactic conflict, not like the stuffy Jedi and aristocratic politicians from the prequels.
While Star Wars creator George Lucas lost his way at times introducing new characters, creatures and concepts, Abrams takes a back to basic approach. Alien characters are added to help flesh out the story first and sell action figures second, not vice versa. Most intriguing were Han’s pal Maz Kanata (Lupita Nyong’o) and the First Order’s Supreme Leader Snoke (Andy Serkis). The humor isn’t forced and marketing doesn’t seem to influence storytelling decisions.
On the action front, Abrams delivers flawless Star Wars excitement from the space fights to lightsaber duels. While I’m equally excited about Rian Johnson tackling Episode VIII, Abrams shows he could have just as easily handled the entire new trilogy from a technical standpoint.
Force Awakens won’t be winning many points for originality with Abrams and co-writer Lawrence Kasdan treating the premise like a cover band’s version of A New Hope. From the main plot point of destroying the enemy planet killing base to the underutilized cool looking henchwoman Captain Phasma (Gwendoline Christie), it feels a bit too familiar. Abrams and Kasdan also ditch some long-established Star Wars lore to establish its new main character, which plays out too much like a cheat without the necessary character development.
One major issue I had, and one I suspect will be shared by other fans who grew up with the franchise, is that Awakens isn’t so much the continuing adventures of Luke and company, but a passing of the torch to the new generation. And there’s also that sense that Luke and company didn’t do as great a job as we were led to believe at the end of Return of the Jedi.
Luke and the gang already had their epic trilogy and Awakens leaves little doubt this is not their story. It helps immeasurably that this new crew is so likable. Abrams gets passionate performances from his cast to help ingratiate them easier.
Finn is a lot of fun getting the bulk of the laughs in some terrific scenes with BB-8 and Chewbacca. Rey is all but guaranteed to become the new icon for young girls and woman of all ages while Ren provides a villain fans will have a tough time embracing — in a good way.
As the film unfolds, there is definitely the sense that we missed one heckuva trilogy detailing the events that led to where Awakens begins. I found myself just as intrigued as learning more of those events as I did the current situation.
There was just one decision I strongly disliked — it’s a spoiler — that I’m curious how it will impact the rest of this trilogy. Unlike both the original trilogy and the prequels, Awakens ends on a significant cliffhanger.
In several ways, Force Awakens felt like the first chapter of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings. It’s not like the fanbase won’t be breathlessly counting down to the next film, but the story isn’t hardly complete.
For now, it’s time to sit back and watch a well done Star Wars that has two more films to truly establish itself.
Rating: 7 out of 10
Photo Credit: 2014 Lucasfilm/Walt Disney Pictures
I was a bit underwhelmed. It seemed more like a fan made movie on my first viewing. Like you say, it will likely take a few more viewings to get into it.
I wasn’t expecting Kylo Ren to be Luke…
Lol.
LOL
I actually can understand exactly where you’re coming from.The common themes between this and the original are hard to ignore.
Ultimately, the old characters and seamless introduction of the new ones won me over. What would you rank it?
Hey, did you see Brooklyn? Curious what you thought.
Jeff, you guys have gotten me even more excited than I was before it opened. By the way it open in HANOI and Saigon, Vietnam the same day as the U.S. It will open this weekend where I live in DANANG CITY. However I have duties at the ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM of the ENGLISH CENTER so I will have to wait until next TUESDAY to go see it. I will as you guys indicated have too see a few more times anyway so waiting a few days more to be united with one of favorite films is not a problem. At least I know it was worth the wait.
I’m sure you’re going to enjoy it my friend. Think you’ll definitely find it worth the wait!
“In several ways, Awakens felt like the first chapter of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings. It’s not like the fanbase won’t be breathlessly counting down to the next film, but the story isn’t hardly complete.”
Could not agree more with that sentiment, and it bugged me a little. I wanted this to feel more like a complete movie. It instead felt the most “episodic” of any of the Saga Episodes. It was really good,much better than the Prequels but not quite as good as the classic films. And it was not nearly long enough. The pace needed to slow down a few times to take it all in, and while it definitely avoided the plodding pace of the Prequels, it went by a bit TOO quickly, not quite giving the proper weight to some of the really important moments.
On the major plus side, it was the best acted of any of the Star Wars movies. I found myself enjoying the new cast more than the old a lot of the time. If anything, I felt like it went to the nostalgia well a couple too many times when really the best parts were actually what was new about it (and I say that as a famously huge Star Wars fan from the old school).
I agree with the other Barry that I feel like I need to see it a couple more times just to wrap my head around it completely. It’s definitely worth the price of admission a couple of times over, but it’s not perfect. Still, it definitely got me ready to see Episodes VIII and IX, and isn’t that really the best thing you can say about the first chapter in a new trilogy?
I saw it again last night and it was crazy how fast it went by. I really enjoyed the new cast members and they managed not to get overshadowed by the old guard.
I kinda wish it didn’t have that to be continued feel though. I was all down to keep watching them without the hook ;-)
I have to agree with Barry E. that this one felt more like a Lord of the Rings than a Star Wars trilogy opening movie. Since this is only the first week, I’ll save some of comments for a few weeks after everyone has seen it. I did like the acting and no character intros just to make a figure or two.
Hey, I said that! ;-p
Yeah everyone felt essential. I did like seeing Ackbar and Nien Numb still with the Rebels/Resistance.
That was supposed to be Nien Numb? I assumed it was just a younger member of his race! That was a nice addition then. Shows what i know, lol.
I didn’t realize it until later too, then the second viewing I was obsessed with making sure he survived (he did)
;-)
I laughed at the “You must have been very brave” line from the medic treating Chewie.
Chewie was so great in all of his scenes! I really wanted to see more of Han and Chewie’s exploits.
I expect we will see more exploits. Although this was a true passing of the baton from Luke, Leia, Han and Chewie, i am hoping for Luke to be in the Obi-Wan role next movie.
Me too. Hoping Luke is safe and doesn’t get the Ben treatment next time…
They won’t kill off Luke. He must train our new budding Jedi. Or at least begin the training. I foresee a way it could go.
I’m thinking he’s safe since his pal is gone. Still bummed we don’t see the OT Big Three together for at least one scene in this new trilogy.
My thinking is that Luke is either in hiding alone, or with some Jedi hopefuls. He takes our new Jedi under his wing, and begins the training. Meanwhile, Snoke will be training Kylo Ren.
I can’t help but feel that the seeds of Ren’s uncertainly have been sown and that in the third movie, he will turn on his master to find redemption.
It just seems like the most likely way for it to go.
I hope they don’t go that way with Ren. Since we knew Darth Vader hadn’t fully killed Obi-Wan, his redemption was tolerable. Killing his father who doesn’t have that connection to the Force would be too similar and I’d have a hard time rooting for his turn away from the Dark Side.
It would have to be totally last minute. But it’s just a thought. I have messaged you on FB with another idea…
I absolutely agree with your assessment Jeff! The passing of the guard was truly seemless and…needed. I’m in agreement with Barry M. It was somewhat underwhelming though. I was looking for the huge Star Wars plot twist, but left with a feeling of…”I guess I’ll have to wait for Star Wars VIII…”
It was nice to see fight scenes return to original trilogy form and meaningful sword fights that was intentionally slowed down for added nostalgic emphasis…
I’m gonna say 7.5 out of 10
Thanks Sean. What did you want to see more of that this one didn’t provide?
Great review, the film was a joy, I took my 4 year old and he loved it, I think that experience for him has set him on course to be a lifelong star wars fan, everything is a lightsaber right now, even the Christmas wrapping paper.
I could write for ages about this film but you have put it far more succinctly than I could, plus I’m busy with a 4 year old who keeps knocking decorations off with his lightsaber.
Thank you Alex. This is easily one of my favorite comments of the year. So cool hearing you’ve made a new Star Wars convert and the image of you picking up decorations from the lightsaber put a big smile on my face. Thanks for sharing!
Thought the movie was really good. I’m interested to see if Kylo Ren will get redeemed by the end of the trilogy.
Glad you enjoyed it man. Curious though, why do you want to see Ren redeemed?