If the past year has proven anything it's that no matter how big
Marvel's movies get, they'll never be Star
Wars. The arrival of Star
Wars: The Force Awakens, J.J. Abrams' long-awaited seventh chapter of
George Lucas' space epic, has turned everyone into a kid again, giddy with the
mere thought of more adventures of the Skywalker clan, Han Solo, Leia, and
more. This is one of those experiences we all hope to sit back, enjoy, and
share with one another. Not many franchises can do that, but Star Wars can.
That's if it's any good, though, right? After the prequels failed to live up to
the hype everyone has good reason to be hesitant to break out their toy lightsaber,
but I'm here to tell you that 'The Force Awakens' is simply everything Star Wars fans hoped for and needed it to be.
The arrival of Abrams has brought about a
return to what made these movies great, while at the same time ushering in a
new and exciting era. It begins with something Lucas seemed to forget; the use
of practical effects to give this universe a tactile, authentic feel. Gone is
the glossy, digital vacancy that plagues Lucas' prequels and re-releases. This
galaxy feels vibrant and dangerous; it'll make you cower at the site of Kylo
Ren's blazing red lightsaber, it'll make you whoop with glee at the roar of Poe
Dameron's X-Wing. 
Naturally, nobody wants anything spoiled,
but know that Star
Wars' signature themes are in
place. Family, specifically that of the Skywalker clan, is central to the story
without being the whole of it. This is also about the next generation of
heroes, beginning with Finn (John Boyega), a former Stormtrooper in the employ
of the First Order, an evil movement created in the wake of the Empire's fall.
In a rare show of Stormtrooper individuality, Finn defies his evil orders
and assists captured Resistance pilot Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac), who must
deliver top secret plans hidden in his lovable, roly poly droid, BB-8. This
puts Finn in the orbit of fearless desert scavenger, Rey (newcomer Daisy
Ridley, a true revelation) on the planet Jakku. Rey and Finn set out to
complete Poe's mission, drawing the unwanted attention of Kylo Ren (Adam
Driver), who wields the dark side of the Force with the viciousness of Darth
Vader. All are looking for the same thing; the long-lost Jedi master Luke
Skywalker (Mark Hamill), and the journey brings back familiar faces Han Solo
(Harrison Ford), his furry pal Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew), and General Leia
(Carrie Fisher). 
An admitted Star Wars fanatic, Abrams' fills the film with
multiple homages to the original, from a new wretched hive of scum and villainy
to a massive planet-destroying base to a fateful confrontation that tests the
bonds of family loyalty. 'The Force Awakens' is totally done in the service to
its die-hard fans, and while there are many story beats that feel familiar, so
much is fresh that it still has that tingle of unpredictability. The refreshing
energy, youth, and diversity of the cast make this a Star Wars film like no other. Boyega, who has
looked like a superstar ever since Attack
the Block a few years ago, imbues Finn with the roguish leadership
qualities of a young Han Solo, while Ridley's Rey may be the best Star Wars character introduced since the
original trilogy. She's the kind of character a franchise could be built
around....assuming she lives through it, of course!
More than anything else the film hits all
of the buttons we want to see. The aerial dogfights have never looked better or
been more thrilling, while the lightsaber fights, of which there are a few, are
more visceral than the flipping circus acts seen in the prequels. They're also
more brutal as a result; when a lightsaber strikes it's a nasty, ugly thing.
There are plenty of surprises to be found,
and trust that fans will shed a few years. Hearts will be broken, yes, but
spirits will be lifted, as well. While it's possible to quibble about a few
things, like the underwhelming use of great actors like Domhnall Gleeson,
Gwendoline Christie, and Max Von Sydow, you'll be having too good of a time to
quibble. For me, I simply didn't want the movie to end. This is Star Wars as it was always intended to be, and
it's good to have it back.
Rating: 4 out of 5
