We return to that galaxy far, far away with “a story about a
boy, a girl and a universe.” Ads for the original 1977 Star Wars movie used
that tagline, and as this latest Star Wars film cribs from, as well as pays
homage to, its parent film, it is appropriate for this story as well.
The boy is named Finn, the girl is called Rey and the universe
consists of several new planets, creatures and many new interesting characters all setting up the story for a brand new Trilogy of Star Tales.
It pays homage to previous Star Wars movies with the little
droid with information that everyone is looking for – here the adorable BB-8
instead of A New Hope’s trusty R2-D2 – and a planet destroyer called Starkiller Base
substituting for the Death Star. A black robed, masked villain named Kylo Ren (a very good Adam Driver)
following in the jack-booted steps of Darth Vader. We also get a new wise old
ancient creature, along with familiar yet updated
stardestroyers, stormtroopers, TIE fighters and X-Wings, fascist empires and
resisting rebels, and a desert planet that many mistake for the earlier films’
Tatooine (it’s a new planet called Jaaku).
This is the first Star Wars movie without the involvement of
creator George Lucas, and it shows. Director J.J. Abrams, who co-write the
script with Empire/Jedi veteran Lawrence Kasdan and Michael Arndt, and his team
have created a thoroughly modern Star Wars film. Yes, there are other nods to
the original movies overseen by Lucas, like the dissolves and wipes, another
rousing John Williams score, lots of practical sets and creature effects a la
the Original Trilogy, rather than the CGI overload of the prequels and most
recent fantasy blockbusters such as The Hobbit Trilogy.
The Force Awakens is more modern in having a strong, capable
and likable female character in Rey, played by British up and comer Daisy
Ridley. Abrams after all was the creator of the hit television series Felicity
and Alias featuring strong female leads in, respectively, Keri Russell and
Jennifer Garner. Other new characters, most prominently Finn the stormtrooper with a conscience - another Brit, John Boyega, who
uses an American accent, in contrast to Ridley who keeps her British accent - and hotshot pilot (is there any other kind?) Poe Dameron, played by Oscar Isaac, are instantly likable.
I will admit my eyes misted up a bit when Harrison Ford’s
Han Solo first appears alongside his constant companion Chewbacca the Wookiee (Peter Mayhew), and when Princess Leia’s theme was played over Carrie
Fisher’s first appearance in the movie.
The movie’s story structure and pacing is more contemporary,
which honestly was a little jarring at first. Lucas previously stated he had a
very specific style in mind for his Star Wars movies: people spoke a certain
way, major themes were repeated throughout the series, and he guided the movies
he didn’t direct as producer and editor. The Force Awakens is the first Star
Wars movie where Lucas had no involvement whatsoever, so naturally it will feel
different, if not “off.” Abrams and crew used current film-making techniques and styles
with camera cranes and helicopter shots which the original films never used.
Without giving anything away, I was thoroughly engaged by this
movie. I embraced the new characters, loved seeing old friends again, and was
swept up by this new story (the homages to the original film did not detract from enjoying this new tale). The visuals, such as seeing TIE fighters silhouetted
against a blazing sun and the Millennium Falcon performing aerial acrobatics, are amazing. It is setting up a new story arc that should thrill us as did the older films.
Plus, we only have to wait two more years for Episode VIII
(due out in May 2017), instead of three years like we had to endure between
episodes of the Original Trilogy and the Prequels.
The Force is with us once again.
