Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Star Wars. No two words in the English language call to mind such a broad, expansive universe as these, and for good reason. Ever since a man named George Lucas tried (and failed) to bring Flash Gordon to the big screen, and wound up stitching together a bunch of sci-fi junk instead, has a film franchise become such a cultural icon. Not even the likes of recent juggernauts such as Harry Potter or the Hunger Games can match the universal (pun intended) appeal of this space saga set in a galaxy far, far away.
Recently, just in case you have been living under a rock somewhere outside a rural Midwestern town, Star Wars has once again been brought to the masses, with the release of “Star Wars: Episode 7: The Force Awakens”. Although, to be more accurate, it could technically be called “Star Wars: Episode 4.2: A New Hope Awakens.” I’ll explain why the title change in a minute. However, before we begin, know that I am a fan of this intergalactic septology, so any ribbing that I give this film is coming from a safe place.
SPOILER ALERT: The new film is pretty good. I won’t give any spoilers away in this review since apparently that can qualify as a war-crime these days, but I will give some general information that should be widely available to anyone with an internet connection. The basic story is a bit simplistic, and, as many have pointed out, mirrors the plotline of another Star Wars movie. Basically, good guy/girl discovers that the Force is real, and realizes that they can use it to further their own agenda. Meanwhile, a sinister agent is working hard to eradicate all semblance of “peace”, and “democracy” from the galaxy, for reasons that are known only to him. The film reaches a crescendo when a band of fighters (let’s call them rebels) is in mortal danger from a comically oversized weapon with the capacity to annihilate an entire planet. For the more astute observers, you may be a bit confused. Am I talking about “The Force Awakens”, or “A New Hope”? It doesn’t really matter, though, since, while you’re watching this new film, you kind of forget the similarities between the two stories. It isn’t until afterward that you start to notice the comparison. The reason for this? The new cast is exceptionally good.
J.J. Abrams is a man who knows a thing or two about creating a vivid story in space while utilizing a pitch-perfect cast of actors to draw in the audience. He did this successfully in “Star Trek” (which was itself, incidentally, a pseudo-remake of Star Wars), and he does it again in “Awakens”. The newcomers inject some much-needed fresh blood into the series, especially given how much the cast from the prequels sucked it out. Daisy Ridley’s fierce and overwhelmingly proficient Rey and John Boyega’s soldier-with-a-heart-of-gold Finn make the heart of Star Wars beat again. The chemistry between the actors sizzles, especially when on screen with the legendary Han Solo. That, coupled with some thoroughly engaging action sequences and a bit of nostalgia for flavor, makes the new film a worthwhile endeavor, perfect for kicking off the never-ending parade of sequels and spin-offs that are coming down the pipe. There may come a day when everyone is just sick to death of Star Wars; but, for now, I can safely say that this film has “awoken” the inner geek in all of us.
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Jonathan is a freelance writer living in the greater LA area. He likes to watch movies, eat great food, and sip on a nice glass of aged rum, although not necessarily in that order.
