A little background history, I absolutely love Star Wars. As a child growing up in the 1980's, I remember watching the 1977 original sometime in my sixth or seventh year. I instantly became enamored by it and I would spend many of days outside pretending I was Luke Skywalker swinging across the Death Star chasm with the princess holding onto me. This was before I realized the princess would be my sister. I would eventually be able to watch all the original trilogy films and the stories stuck with me since then. I remember asking my mother why I was not born in 1977 so I could have the same age as the Star Wars saga.
In 1999, my dream of viewing a Star Wars movie came true when Lucasfilm released Star Wars, Episode I: The Phantom Menace. I was so excited to see it that I paid little attention to story plots, characterizations, and acting. All that mattered to me was Star Wars was back in theaters. Soon after I started noticing something was wrong with the prequels. The inconsistencies in the story from what was already told in the original trilogy, the portrayal of the most ruthless villain in the galaxy Darth Vader being portrayed as a creepy, selfish, crybaby with mother issues, and so many other inconsistencies that it was taking away from my enjoyment. I could go on and on with criticizing the prequels but I think it has been done enough. Bottom line, by the time Revenge of the Sith had come and gone, I too had departed the Star Wars train.
That is not to say I completely rejected it. I still loved the original movies, but it would take me a few years before I could watch prequels again with a different point of view that helped me to appreciate it more. When it was announced Disney had purchased Lucasfilms and they were pursuing making another Star Wars saga film, I expected the worst. I refused to be disappointed again. Thanfully, after watching Star Wars: The Force Awakens twice now, and planning on watching it some more, I can honestly say I am not disappointed.
As many critics have already pointed out the metaphor, the title "The Force Awakens" is not just a title for the movie but also a title for the franchise as a whole. Whereas the prequel trilogy put the franchise on life support, this new addition revitalizes it. It calls upon the original spirit that made the Original Trilogy so great and spins a new tale that has captured this writer's imagination once more.
There are some critics who are pointing out this movie basically rips off Episode IV: A New Hope, and while there are some familiar plot points, it is of this writer's opinion that it was necessary. After the disappointment of the prequels and the lack of trust pointed towards George Lucas, Disney and J.J. Abrams had to do a lot to separate this new addition from the prequels, rebuild the trust with the old guard fans (like myself), and prove that Star Wars was able to tell new stories. There were similarities, but I also knew why it had to be done. The spirit of the original had to be captured. I can only hope that Episode VIII will now go in a different direction by being creatively original. Not saying Episode VII was not original, but I can understand why the same map had to be used.
With that being said, overall the movie was awesome and a breath of fresh air. The new guard selected to carry this franchise into the future were spectacular. They could actually act and show the excitement, the fear, and all the emotions that Star Wars should conjure up. The humor was natural and not forced like in the prequels. The writing did not feel wooden or forced, and without Lucas on set it was evident the actors onscreen were relaxed in their roles and enjoying the experience of making this movie.
Abrams' return to using basic props versus full reliance on CGI was proof that some of the old school methods work. Obviously CGI had to be used but the whole movie did not ride on it like the prequels did. Everything about the movie seemed real including the aliens. When Poe Dameron walks around his X-Wing it was apparent he was actually walking around a X-Wing.
The movie did not rely on lightsabers to awe and impress like the prequels did. Instead, the movie actually followed a plot that made sense and was enjoyable. Sure there was suspension of belief issues with the movie, but with Star Wars that is a given. After all, Star Wars is not science fiction but rather a space opera or fantasy epic that takes place in space. Scientific analysis need not apply to this movie.
The return of Han Solo, Chewbacca, Leia Organa, and many other original cast helped bridge that gap between fans of the original trilogy and new fans this film will bring. Plus, it did help to use them to push this new generation of cast forward as the beneficiaries of this franchise. The story did not necessarily hang around the shoulders of the older cast, but neither could the story progress without them there.
All in all, I would rate this entry into the Star Wars saga as my third favorite film in the saga after The Empire Strikes Back and A New Hope. It was fun, it gave me the goosebumps I was hoping for, and I left the theater excited. My children could not stop talking about it and even my wife enjoyed it. She had been jaded after the prequels. I did not walk away feeling like I had been cheated like the prequels did or disappointed.
This movie is definitely appropriate for all ages. There are minor blood scenes as Abrams does show some reality of war that the previous Star Wars held back on. However, it is not "Saving Private Ryan" blood but just a few showings here or there. There may be one scary moment from Kylo Ren but nothing a child should not be able to handle.
I highly recommend this movie, and might I say, "May the Force be with you..."
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