In 1983, young people the world
over saw the conclusion to one of the most quintessential sci-fi series of
films ever known. They were introduced to the Ewoks, story arcs were completed
and people went home satisfied. Names like Luke Skywalker and Han Solo became
household names in reality and legend in the fictional universe. Since then,
they have never really left our imaginations or pop culture. Darth Vader died
in Return of the Jedi, but redeemed himself, and all was good in the world.
A few decades later, George Lucas
decided to try and replicate the mania
that was prevalent back after the first trilogy was released. In 1999, it came
amid fanfare and you couldn’t go wrong with great actors like Ewan McGregor and
Liam Neeson could you? Er, yes, yes you could.
The “new” trilogy, Episodes I-III
(Lucas loves his numerals) or “the rubbish ones” – whatever you would like to
call it, seemed like a shameless cash in and a major step back for Star Wars as
a franchise. There had already been an amassed back story both forward of the
“original trilogy” and back. In keeping with the canon, Lucas had to go back –
and retell the story before the characters we knew. Some of it hit home –Yoda was
good but the CGI version lacked the appeal of the “muppet” version of the
originals though. Darth Maul was intense but vastly underused and with the
exception of the endgame of the first movie, was pretty much a redundant
character. Anakin in the first movie was just basically a young Wesley Crusher,
and the relationship between Anakin and Padme in the later ones, was just
weird. And the biggest issue of all was a Gungan called Jar Jar Binks. Lucas
had tried to recreate the Star Wars we loved but it just didn’t work very well,
even though, I personally thought Episode III wasn’t really that bad.
Lucas sold the rights to Star
Wars to Disney a few years ago for about $4billion and basically will never have
to work again in about 150 lifetimes. Meanwhile, Disney thought about how they
could do what they did with Marvel and turn a troubled franchise into something
remarkable. First, they scrapped everything as canon, other than the new
cartoon series and the movies. Which caused a bit of a stir – but the good
thing was Chewie was still alive! They have kept this previous canon though and
now refer to it as “legend” but is not part of the new storylines created
henceforth. Which makes sense really since the future as written in the
previous canon was getting cluttered and making a new movie to fit in with it
all (except for making a book into a screenplay (which I think was bandied
about after the conclusion for Episodes I-III)) would have been difficult to say
the least.
Then, they drafted in JJ Abrams
who had been rebooting the Star Trek franchise. I’m sure many fans, like
myself, were concerned about this as the Trek reboot wasn’t bad, but could have
been better and… what the hell is going on with all the lens flare? It was
unnecessary and made the film seem shiny and distracting. Social media was wondering about the movie –
would it be more JJ Abrams or will it be more Jar Jar Binks? After something
like a two year tease, on 17th December (or 18th depending)
The Force Awakens opened…
…And broke every box office
record in the galaxy.
The Force Awakens stars unknown
actors John Boyega and young starlet Daisy Ridley as Finn and Rey
respectively. As you may not have seen
the movie yet and may wish to I will try to avoid major spoilers but I will be
telling you some things so you have an idea at what the film is about. If you
do not wish to know, go down my review and read the final paragraph which is a conclusion
about the film and will not tell you any spoilers.
Firstly I waited to see the iMax 3D version and it was a very good version indeed. The 3d was good (some cool parts where things fly out at you) and this is the sort of epic movie you would want to see in iMax.
If you are still with me – let’s go…
Possible light spoilers ahead - (skip to last paragraph)
The film begins with a Resistance
pilot named Poe who has a funky droid called BB-8, and is seeking to find Luke
Skywalker who has disappeared. As an attack force led by the mysterious Kylo Ren, Poe tries to escape. Meanwhile we see a stormtrooper
tussling with his conscience – something we’ve never really seen before in a
Star Wars movie - and this makes them more individual. The new Stormtrooper outfit
is smarter and snazzier, and, like most of the equipment, vehicles and outfits
in the movie, have been upgraded to a more modern look. X-Wings are now black,
and TIE fighters look more swish – but are still as fast. Poe is caught, but
BB-8 escapes to pass the message on.
There’s a slew of new characters
in the mix too – Finn (the Stormtrooper mentioned above), Rey (a young lady who
is great flying spaceships, using a blaster, a lightsabre, etc), Poe (who, sadly, has the same name as a Teletubby) and
lovable droid BB-8 (who, let’s be honest, is R2-D2 for the social media
generation). Backing up this glamourous new bunch include the old favourites
Han Solo, Chewbacca, Luke Skywalker, Leia and the droids, Threepio and Artoo.
For the bad guys there’s the
wannabe Darth Vader - Kylo Ren (who’s got a history), General Hux (a fanatical
with a crisp RP English accent that would make the BBC proud), a multitude of
Stormtroopers (including one played by Daniel Craig) and a creepy hologram
called Snoke (who is apparently a Supreme Leader).
JJ Abrams had a very difficult
path ahead of him, but, like a Jedi (do there is no try) he has excelled
himself in this movie. Minimising lens flare and sticking to Star Wars lore as
much as he can, Abrams gives the yearning public the best Star Wars movie since
Empire Strikes Back in 1980. The movie has elements of a paint by number Star
Wars with an X-Wing sequence right out of Star Wars and other set pieces
similar. What could become a generic rehash instead becomes familiar and makes
it feel more true to the Star Wars feel of this picture.
Locations are built with the cast
actually there, so there is a lot less CGI than you would expect – though it is
necessary in a world full of lightsabers and laser guns. The technology has been given a makeover – a
bit like the difference between a Ford Escort and a Ford Focus – both are
similar cars but one looks a bit more modern and swisher than the previous one.
Harrison Ford returns as ladies’
favourite, Han Solo, and it’s like he has been in character since Return of the
Jedi as so comfortable has he slipped back into the role. The dynamic is still there
with Peter Mayhew’s Chewbacca and they are a great sight to see on the big
screen again. Chewbacca is fantastic – especially with some of the asides he
does which are just fab. But the moment they both walk back onto the Millennium Falcon and Solo utters, "Chewie, We're home!" complete with that half smile of his, just pretty much sets the nostalgia chimes ringing.
The new cast do a sterling job of
carrying such a weight on their shoulders and Princess (who is now General)
Leia is woefully underused. BB-8, the new circular droid, fills in for the
loveable duo of C-3PO and R2-D2, and, when all are on screen together they go
from Laurel & Hardy to the Three Stooges. BB-8 seems more sonorous than the
legendary Artoo, but both can share the screen without taking one from another.
Poe, the Resistance’s best
fighter pilot, is introduced right at the start and has some cool moments, but,
like Leia, is only in it sporadically and he seems a funky enough character who
could give Han Solo a run for his money. Finn, the turncoat Stormtrooper, seems
capable of great things but spends most of the movie hyperventilating and
running away from things. This is a direct contrast to Rey, the heroine of the
piece who can basically do everything and is good at everything which takes
things away from her character a bit as she seems to be able to do everything
the other characters can’t and then some.
Then we have the bad guys –
leading the chase is Darth Vader wannabe Kylo Ren, resplendent in black with a
funky lightsaber and a mask and voice that would rival Vader’s own. However, the
mystery is not as shrouded as Vader was as we only have to wait half way
through the movie to see him without his mask.
Finally, no Star Wars movie would
be complete without a Death Star or something of that ilk and The Force Awakens
doesn’t disappoint in this part either.
Spoiler over - (you can continue reading now)
In conclusion, Star Wars: The
Force Awakens is clearly made by a director who both grew up with the franchise
and adores it in equal measure. There’s enough similarity with the other Star
Wars movies (by this I mean the original 70’s trilogy) to feel familiar yet
enough difference to move it on and appeal to the next generation. There is a
feel that this version of Star Wars reflects in the younger generation how
their parents felt in the 70’s and 80’s growing up. The hype machine is in
hyper speed and the merchandising is bordering on silly. But, the movie itself
is a sturdy piece of filmmaking that is a worth addition to the franchise. This
will go down as a classic in itself and make stars of the new actors
representing the characters. The movie has shocks, twists, action and
adventure, and that’s all you need in a good sci fi movie – especially Star
Wars. I cannot wait for the next one, but the 30-odd year wait was worth it for
this one. Well done JJ Abrams, you are now officially up there with Lucas,
Spielberg and the other director greats. Star Wars: The Force Awakens is out
now at all good cinemas.
POPSCORE: 9.5/10
What am I talking about? Star Wars: The Force Awakens movie
Where can I find out more? www.starwars.com/the-force-awakens
If you liked this try: Any of the other Star Wars movies, any Star Trek Movie, Spaceballs,
This film follows on 30 years (ish) from Return of The Jedi - both in the story and in real life.
Abrams cast unknown actors for some of the lead roles - and much was made of the auditions in London earlier this year.
