The force has awakened indeed.
J. J. did it. Supplied with a deconstructed universe and a killer cast, Star Wars has returned with vigor, hitting all of the right notes in the process. Killer cinematography, cute robots, and a lovingly crafted story certainly help too.
The cinematography and production values are all sky-high, and all of the beautiful special effects and (apparently real) explosions show it. This film was built with fans in mind, be it camera work very much reminiscent of the old films or the iconic opening crawl.
The main triad from the original trilogy reprise their roles, and do so with energy and vigor. Harrison Ford specifically is outstanding, bringing back the old Han Solo like he never left in the first place.
This film isn't about them, though; at least, not as much. The Force Awakens follows a new path: a younger, bombastic group of would-be heroes. Daisy Ridley plays a plucky and immensely attractive scavenger named Rey, who appears opposite Finn, John Boyega’s captivating and stressed former stormtrooper. The dark side has very strong characters too, with Kylo Ren’s character being very different and much more interesting than I expected. The best thing about these characters is that they have their entire characters fleshed out by the end of the film. J. J. obviously ensured this so that his successors in the sequels have these fully formed and strong protagonists to work with and build upon. They are wonderful and bring new life to the franchise, which makes me quite hopeful for the next film.
But that's the thing about Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Everything it does right seems to be setting up for something else. For all of the breathtaking dogfights and tense, character-constructing moments, it falls a bit shallow in the overall story category, falling in line as a modern A New Hope in not simply function but also form. I won't head into spoiler territory, but don't expect a Citizen Kane of Star Wars storytelling.
This film triumphs in its spectacle, revels in its storied heritage, and creates absolutely fabulous new characters. If you have ever seen a Star Wars film, see this film. If you've stayed away from Star Wars and are interested in an extremely entertaining and well-made film, see this film.
I'm certainly looking forward to more. May the force be with you.
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