"There's an Awakening. Have you felt it?"
From its inception, Star Wars the Force Awakens has been fraught with doubt and cynicism, by some, jubilation and cluelessness by everyone else. Doubters need not worry, Director JJ Abrams and Lucasfilm have acquitted themselves quite nicely. It’s an roller-coaster ride, filled with archetypal characters with plausible psychologies, theatrical confrontations fueled by spiraling emotions, wonderful daring do with a few jaw-dropping and dare I say, heartbreaking moments.
The journey to the screen was not an easy one as scripts were written thrown out and written again but eventually found their way. This was a conflicted experience for me as I had to get used to the fact that Uncle George had bid the franchise adieu and left it where he placed it, at the foot of Disney for Lucasfilm to do as it wanted. I’m happy to report that, despite his retirement and acknowledged struggle with turning loose his baby, Uncle George is still, at least in spirit all over the film. His influence and impact on cinema is felt in every frame. There is no snide dismissal of the criminally maligned prequels; in fact there are a few references to it; this a love letter to Lucas, to the franchise in what it means to world, to its fans all the while being its own entity.
Many joked in 2009 when “Star Trek” premiered that JJ had made the best “Star Wars” movie in years,- not true of course, but he did give the waning franchise a recognizable jolt to the testes. His enthusiasm is certainly on display as he has fun with the original characters and gives the newbies, some welcomed spit and fire. He knows his way around an action sequence, solid editing and knows how to reintroduce familiar characters. I was pleasantly surprised that this is the most un-JJ like film yet. He restrains himself by making the cameras not do wild tricks; this is still a Star Wars after all, we don’t need shaky ugly cam. My biggest fear for the film was that it would rely too much on nostalgia- it does some of that, but it’s done with restraint and care. When the original kids show up; Han Solo (Harrison Ford) General Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher) and Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) we cheer because its’ earned. It’s been too long since we saw them last; the lines on their faces show characters they've lived adventures beyond our reach.
This film is very much concerned with the new generation. Rey is the first of several mysterious characters that are introduced. She seems extremely gifted right out of the gate. Her relationship with former Stormtrooper, Finn is one of the many highlights. Both have personal demons and both are lively and believable when the confront Kylo for the first time. We root for Finn when hes the first in line, but he’s badly wounded, so Rey meets her destiny and stares down the Sith in training. Kylo acts as though he knows her, or at least might be intimidated enough by her he wants her on his side in the future. Their tussle in the woods is gloriously raw and messy and full of emotions- rage and fear. This is Rey’s first time with a saber but you wouldn’t know it. A great shot in the trailers was always Finn holding the light saber, to say maybe he’s a Jedi too, but it was all a maneuver to subvert expectations as Finn is dispatched a little too soon and leaves it open for Rey to deal with Kylo. Star Wars has always been progressive with female characters; that's not a political thing, but reality; Rey certainly joins that list of iconic females along with Ventress and Asoka. John Boyega as the defecting Stormtrooper known only as FINN, is perfect. He’s surprised by all of this and he’s used for many of the film's best jokes.
With JJ’s direction come the great performances; from the top on down, all deliver. The prequels took some unnecessary arrows in that regard, but this is a different animal, we aren’t dealing with repressed politicians, stifled Jedi warriors and frustrated angst. Daisy Riddley and John Boyega as Rey and Finn are youthful, vibrant and deliver far more than expected.
From the giddy up, this is a film about rage belonging to Kylo Ren, (for those keeping score, Ben Solo) who struts, preens, throws fits for reasons he probably doesn’t understand. He dresses like the former Lord Vader, right down to the black garb and face, mask. Except underneath is not an old man of wounded ego, crushed spirits and enslavement, but of a young man moving too fast, wanting too much and not realty understanding where he is going and despite his hero worship of Vader seems to be headed in the same direction. He has amassed a collection of Sith relics, including Vader’s burnt helmet last seen on the funeral pyre in JEDI. An eerie Hamlet vibe takes over when he lifts the helmet in a ‘Alas poor Yorick, I knew him well,” moment. Ego and foul spoiled temper take the kid over as he resentfully says, “I can have anything I want.”
Ironic motivations for sure as he’s obsessed with his grandfather, Darth Vader yet misses the broad points of how he turned and how he was redeemed. Anakin seemed to soften once Luke reached out to him; Kylo took offense to it and struck out. He was not yet ready to acknowledge what was left of his humanity whereas Anakin slowly welcomed it as he finally saw a way out. Kylo is far more vicious animal. It’s unsettling as he’s cut his ties with his family in the most dramatic, harshest of ways by killing his father. He’s actively seeking out the Dark side. Anakin never searched for the Sith to include in his life he got tricked into it, this one, Kylo Ren is actively trying to go Dark. Palpatine poured golden words in Anakin’s’ ear for sure, with promises of living happily ever after with Padme. No such happy endings for Kylo as he’s an untrained, spoiled raging brat.
It’s a great, steady performance and Adam Driver makes Kylo a well-rounded conflicted punk; and by the third act we are wishing him dead for what he does to his father Han Solo. One of the most intense and lasting images to remain with me is the demise of Han Solo. With an act that will be felt for the rest of the franchise, the death of Solo permeates with heartbreaking impact; a father desperate to reach his son. This reverberated with me in such a surprise that I become lost n the moment. Kylo’s mindset reminded me of a drug addict; lost into the abyss, obsessed with the selfishness of self-destruction. His father reaching out, demanding, pleading he come back home; Ren a complicated conflicted soul. Always in a rage, looking for- something is offended. Solo reaches out to him, touches his face. Kylo rejects the gesture and plunges a light saber in his father’s gut and sends him down a massive chasm. What lead to his mindset we do not yet know, but Uncle Luke will certainly have questions.
To the gut…. That hurt.- But what a way to go!
One of the most iconic characters of the last three and half decades went out in noble fashion; a father fighting for the soul of his only son. It was needed, it gave the film balls; an emotional anchor that I feared it would lack. Also it adds a different dynamic to the sacrifice motif. In ANH, Ben sacrifices himself as he knows it will be more useful in guiding Luke as one with the Force. He becomes Luke's mentor and guide in a way that can't be broken by the empire. Kylo Ren however; Han's sacrifice in trying to save him, is what will haunt him. It makes redemption far harder to find. I very much doubt Ren will be redeemed at the end as like Vader. As a character, right now, Ren/Ben is much more dangerous than Vader, in the making of it at least. And stopping and holding a blaster bolt in mid-air is all kinds of cool.
Ironic motivations for sure as he’s obsessed with his grandfather, Darth Vader yet misses the broad points of how he turned and how he was redeemed. Anakin seemed to soften once Luke reached out to him; Kylo took offense to it and struck out. He was not yet ready to acknowledge what was left of his humanity whereas Anakin slowly welcomed it as he finally saw a way out. Kylo is far more vicious animal. It’s unsettling as he’s cut his ties with his family in the most dramatic, harshest of ways by killing his father. He’s actively seeking out the Dark side. Anakin never searched for the Sith to include in his life he got tricked into it, this one, Kylo Ren is actively trying to go Dark. Palpatine poured golden words in Anakin’s’ ear for sure, with promises of living happily ever after with Padme. No such happy endings for Kylo as he’s an untrained, spoiled raging brat.
It’s a great, steady performance and Adam Driver makes Kylo a well-rounded conflicted punk; and by the third act we are wishing him dead for what he does to his father Han Solo. One of the most intense and lasting images to remain with me is the demise of Han Solo. With an act that will be felt for the rest of the franchise, the death of Solo permeates with heartbreaking impact; a father desperate to reach his son. This reverberated with me in such a surprise that I become lost n the moment. Kylo’s mindset reminded me of a drug addict; lost into the abyss, obsessed with the selfishness of self-destruction. His father reaching out, demanding, pleading he come back home; Ren a complicated conflicted soul. Always in a rage, looking for- something is offended. Solo reaches out to him, touches his face. Kylo rejects the gesture and plunges a light saber in his father’s gut and sends him down a massive chasm. What lead to his mindset we do not yet know, but Uncle Luke will certainly have questions.
To the gut…. That hurt.- But what a way to go!
One of the most iconic characters of the last three and half decades went out in noble fashion; a father fighting for the soul of his only son. It was needed, it gave the film balls; an emotional anchor that I feared it would lack. Also it adds a different dynamic to the sacrifice motif. In ANH, Ben sacrifices himself as he knows it will be more useful in guiding Luke as one with the Force. He becomes Luke's mentor and guide in a way that can't be broken by the empire. Kylo Ren however; Han's sacrifice in trying to save him, is what will haunt him. It makes redemption far harder to find. I very much doubt Ren will be redeemed at the end as like Vader. As a character, right now, Ren/Ben is much more dangerous than Vader, in the making of it at least. And stopping and holding a blaster bolt in mid-air is all kinds of cool.
Dominal Gleason as General Hux was your typical uptight Imperial commander; he’s the films new Tarkin who evidently holds Kylo’s leash, and repairs computer panels after the boy’s many temper tantrums. He fears him as well due to his many mood swings, but there seems to be more of a competitive spirit between them. Like two brothers competing for their father’s favor.
JJ’s film does nothing to break the mold. Rather, it shows that the mold exists for a reason. Lucas created this mold; Abrams borrowed it, polished it, tweaked it and dressed it up for company. JJ is not a visionary visualist like Lucas, but he’s not bad; the TIEs flying on against the sunset was a nice touch, as was the wide shot of Rey riding on the speeder with the Star Destroyers half buried in the ground.
In his defense, he’s doing what Lucas did; a mash-up of past movies, comic books and pulp with a heavy layer of myth and high adventure. Abrams is doing what others do and it bothers some that its working so well for him. TFA borrows from the past films, but puts neat and significant spins on them and also subverts the details of it at every turn.
Our Rebel-on-a-mission who gets caught in the first act, is freed almost immediately instead of being captive for half the film. Our desert-dwelling hero doesn't dream of a life of adventure, but rather longs for the comfort of family and doesn't want to leave "home." She also initially doesn't want to learn the ways of the Force, and ultimately isn't the one who delivers the finishing shot to destroy the command/battle station.
Said deadly battle station, the central element to ANH's plot, is treated here as a last-act afterthought and even the characters discuss destroying it in a rushed "been there before, lets get this over with already" way. It's commander Hux also flees before it's destroyed rather than stay aboard out of arrogance like Tarkin did.
Our black-clad, helmeted villain? No lies, mystery, or misdirection about his past, just here's who he is and what he looks like under the helmet. And for added measure, no waiting for the middle film to see his and the First Order's leader. Lucas loved repeating themes or similar events in his characters lives in the prequels; he constantly compared Anakin and Luke’s journeys and added similar beats. With this new generation of adventures, it doesn’t feel anything but fresh and exciting and I cant wait for the next two chapters.
Like the OT it so often harkens to, it asks more questions than it answered and let’s hope it answers the biggies; Rey’s heritage, who is Snoke and why did Kylo go bad? And what is left of the the political state of the galaxy?
I love this film; every damn frame of it. Thank the maker for showbiz miracles. We never got a Beatles reunion, Elvis was never able to conquer his demons and enjoy his golden years, but here, by God is Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill in a sequel to "Return of the Jedi!"
JJ’s film does nothing to break the mold. Rather, it shows that the mold exists for a reason. Lucas created this mold; Abrams borrowed it, polished it, tweaked it and dressed it up for company. JJ is not a visionary visualist like Lucas, but he’s not bad; the TIEs flying on against the sunset was a nice touch, as was the wide shot of Rey riding on the speeder with the Star Destroyers half buried in the ground.
In his defense, he’s doing what Lucas did; a mash-up of past movies, comic books and pulp with a heavy layer of myth and high adventure. Abrams is doing what others do and it bothers some that its working so well for him. TFA borrows from the past films, but puts neat and significant spins on them and also subverts the details of it at every turn.
Our Rebel-on-a-mission who gets caught in the first act, is freed almost immediately instead of being captive for half the film. Our desert-dwelling hero doesn't dream of a life of adventure, but rather longs for the comfort of family and doesn't want to leave "home." She also initially doesn't want to learn the ways of the Force, and ultimately isn't the one who delivers the finishing shot to destroy the command/battle station.
Said deadly battle station, the central element to ANH's plot, is treated here as a last-act afterthought and even the characters discuss destroying it in a rushed "been there before, lets get this over with already" way. It's commander Hux also flees before it's destroyed rather than stay aboard out of arrogance like Tarkin did.
Our black-clad, helmeted villain? No lies, mystery, or misdirection about his past, just here's who he is and what he looks like under the helmet. And for added measure, no waiting for the middle film to see his and the First Order's leader. Lucas loved repeating themes or similar events in his characters lives in the prequels; he constantly compared Anakin and Luke’s journeys and added similar beats. With this new generation of adventures, it doesn’t feel anything but fresh and exciting and I cant wait for the next two chapters.
Like the OT it so often harkens to, it asks more questions than it answered and let’s hope it answers the biggies; Rey’s heritage, who is Snoke and why did Kylo go bad? And what is left of the the political state of the galaxy?
I love this film; every damn frame of it. Thank the maker for showbiz miracles. We never got a Beatles reunion, Elvis was never able to conquer his demons and enjoy his golden years, but here, by God is Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill in a sequel to "Return of the Jedi!"
