This is probably the hardest review I have ever had to write. I’m sure that I am not alone in this difficult predicament.
I think it’s because Star Wars (1977) was one of the first big blockbuster movies to spawn a massive fandom across the world. It was also one of the early mass marketed merchandising movies which offered the younger fans a chance to re-live their favourite scenes with an assortment of character action figures.
(Trivia fact: Director George Lucas negotiated a deal to receive 40% of the merchandising profits and actor Sir Alec Guinness / Obi Wan Kenobi was also shrewd enough had a deal written into his contract to have 2% of the Box office profits, earning over $52 million…who knew?)
Back to the review. I have to tread carefully here so as not to reveal any spoilers but I can say that I don’t think the fans will be disappointed. Also with J.J. Abrams Directing I was confident that The Force Awakens was in secure hands.
J.J. Abrams knows how to build story structure and the film starts off with a bang rather than a whimper as in the more recent offerings. Also there was some inspired casting of the original main characters which in my mind makes this film the long awaited sequel that all the fans wanted.
The plot of the new movie involves a search for Luke Skywalker, which includes a map held in a cute little droid called BB-8 (probably the most sought after Christmas present this year) and instead of the Empire in hot pursuit it’s The First Order. That’s all I’m saying.
The two major lead roles are played by British actors Daisy Ridley (Rey) and Attack the Block’s John Boyega (Finn), who hold their own in amongst the older stalwarts of cinema. They both do a great job of making us believe in them and care about their characters and you can feel a certain chemistry between Finn and Rey.
In a recent interview Oscar Isaac (Ex Machina, Inside Llewyn Davis) joked that he threatened to sack his agent if he didn’t put him up for the role of Poe Dameron, the best X-Wing fighter pilot in the Rebellion. He really pulls off the action hero look and makes a good younger version of a Han Solo type character.
Talking of Han Solo. Harrison Ford is back...kicking ass!
Obviously the main three look a lot older now but then we are told that The Force Awakens is set 30-years after Return of the Jedi. To be honest Harrison Ford doesn’t look too bad. He is pretty much how you would expect an older Han Solo to look. Solo still has that twinkle in his eye and delivers some great lines and wisecracks throughout. The good news is that Solo is an integral part of this film and his appearance is much much more than a gimmicky cameo.
Actor Peter Mayhew is also back to reprise his role as Chewbacca, everybody’s loveable Wookiee.
Adam Driver also does a good job of bringing us a nasty villain to ‘Boo!’ at in Kylo-Ren welding a new improved lightsaber.
I’m fairly confident that the fans will love this film and even if you have never seen a Star Wars movie, it shouldn’t really matter as the audience will get the exposition in the form of the “A Long time ago….” trailer credits rolling across the stars with that familiar music in the background. So the film can be enjoyed by Star Wars newbies as a stand-alone action, adventure romp!
The screenplay has been co-written by J.J. Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan who also wrote The Empire Strikes Back (80), Return of the Jedi (83) and Raiders of the Lost Ark (81).
Most of all it’s just great to see Star Wars back as all fans wanted. This film has exorcised Jar Jar Binks from the memory….and I now feel cleansed!
Really looking forward to the next two sequels.
The Force is definitely with this Movie.
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