Screen Time: Are we getting our STAR WARS back?
Brian O'Rourke
Latest posts by Brian O'Rourke (see all)
- Screen Time: The Hateful Eight - January 15, 2016
- Screen Time: Are we getting our STAR WARS back? - January 6, 2016
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Courtesy of Disney
A spoiler-free review of STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS.
There’s really only one thing that needs to be said, the answer to the question nearly everyone’s been asking since the new STAR WARS movie was first announced in October 2012 (jeez, it’s really been that long!) — “Are we getting our STAR WARS back?”
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Courtesy of Disney
The answer is a resounding YES!
J.J. Abrams and George Lucas by Joi Ito
Disney did the franchise a huge favor by turning the reins over to director J. J. Abrams, effectively divorcing STAR WARS from George Lucas. Sure, Lucas created a phenomenon with the first movie in 1977 and the extraordinary sequel that followed three years later, but the saga soon imploded. Most people point to the dreadful second set of movies from 1999 – 2005 as rock bottom. I think that happened much earlier, in 1983 with the crap RETURN OF THE JEDI. The STAR WARS galaxy became nothing more than a vulgar toy catalog to feed holiday sales bottom lines.
It’s been a rough 30 years for STAR WARS fans.
Star Wars Courtesy of Disney
Now the force has indeed awakened. It’s clear Abrams’ goal was to return to the basic storytelling of the original STAR WARS. In fact, he’s stuck so close to the model, I think he’s made more of a remake of the original than a sequel. We’re introduced to three young heroes — Finn, Rey and Poe — who fit nicely in the footprints left by Luke, Leia and Han Solo … and to make sure we appreciate the transfer of affection and loyalty we’re meant to feel, the original trio is here — mostly — to direct our focus to the young breed. Yes, seeing our three old friends again after all these years is exciting and emotional, but make no mistake: The new STAR WARS is all about the new characters. And each of the actors is up to the task. Welcome to the galaxy, John Boyega, Daisy Ridley and Oscar Isaac! The dark threat of a villain cloaked in a black mask and cape further refers THE FORCE AWAKENS back to the original, as does the slightly nonsensical MacGuffin both the good guys and the bad guys are desperately trying to obtain. Don’t spend much time thinking about the whatfores and whyfores of who’s looking for what and why … you’ll come up empty-handed. Instead thrill to the suspenseful chase scenes, the spectacular dogfights between the X-wing and TIE fighters, and the brutal lightsaber duels. When characters both new and old make their first escape in the beloved relic of the Millennium Falcon my heart and imagination soared — and haven’t yet returned to earth in the 18 hours since. That is exactly what we expect from our STAR WARS.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Courtesy of Disney
Welcome back. We’ve missed you!
Click here for more information on the official site.
