REVIEW: Star Wars: The Force Awakens (iMAX) 3D Version (12A)

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 17^th December (or 18^th 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,   

 

Anything else?

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.