Review of the Jedi: The Force Awakens

10 years have passed since Episode III and what was presumed to be the end of Star Wars on the big screen, and 2 years have passed since the announcement of Episode VII. But now it's finally arrived and that looming sword of Damocles has dropped. Would Star Wars return to the heights of its past glory? Would it recapture the magic that enthralled audiences and changed the world when it first appeared nearly 40 years ago? Or would it crash and burn, a failed attempt at revival and another sign of the franchise's fall from grace. Well, it makes me extremely happy to report that it it is indeed the former. Episode VII: The Force Awakens is true Star Wars through and through, and the beginning of a very bright future under Disney's wings.

In hindsight, It's somewhat amusing the question most were asking before release was where Luke Skywalker was. Because that's a question very much on the minds of the characters. The Jedi Master has gone missing after an unexplained tragedy and is now being sought by both the villainous First Order, a terrorist junta born from the ruins of the Empire, and his sister former Princess now General Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher, once again). Leia's trusted pilot Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) has tracked down the one map Luke left to his location, but must trust it to his droid BB-8 when he's captured by the First Order's lightsaber wielding enforcer Kylo Ren (Adam Driver). From there BB-8 is found by desert scavenger Rey (Daisy Ridley) and defecting Stormtrooper Finn (John Boyega), who after weathering a few First Order attacks take it upon themselves to return BB-8 to General Leia and her Resistance. Their journey won't be an easy one, with everything from pirates, their own secrets, and of course Ren and the First Order blocking their way at every turn. But maybe with a little help from Han Solo (Harrison Ford, once again), Chewbacca, and the Millennium Falcon, they might be able to find Luke before the First Order's deadly new weapon comes online.

Stormtroopers of the fearsome First Order.

The first smart decision director JJ Abrams and co. make is to focus the story on the new characters. It's an early sign that they aren't going to go easy and rely on cheap fanservice just to make a quick buck. And those new characters are routinely great, their characterizations are a bit broadly sketched but they're extremely likable with clear motivations well acted by the cast. Particularly Oscar Isaac as Poe Dameron, who gets the least amount of screen time of the new leads but is talented enough to convey a whole sense of Poe's character, from his swagger to his empathy, in that small amount of time. If there's a standout though it's John Boyega as Finn. Finn has the most complete character arc, starting as someone who just wants to run away and finding his courage and a cause to believe in, and Boyega pulls off all the feeling that go with that arc beautifully and with great humor. Daisy Ridley's Rey is probably the least of the three new leads, not that her character or performance isn't on par with everyone else. It's just that Rey is the film's main character and from how her story unfolds it seems like her journey will carry over the most into the next two films, so her story in The Force Awakens feels like the beginning of a longer story.

Another great thing about the new characters is that their character arcs and motivations are not just repeats of stories and characters we've seen in previous films. Indeed, some of them feel like deliberate inversions  and foils of older characters. Rey, for instance, is a blue-collar nobody from a desert backwater much like Luke was originally. But unlike Luke who was desperate to leave but had no way to, Rey can leave anytime she wants to but stays because she's waiting for someone to come back. But there's no better example of this than the film's villain Kylo Ren, who takes this subtext and makes it text. Ren intentionally evokes Darth Vader in both look and mannerisms because he's trying to live up to Vader's legacy, which is just as true in the movie as in the real world. He's a great villain and Adam Driver's performance makes him intriguing, intimidating, pained and even pathetic. I can't go into too much detail because of spoilers but Ren has a ton of fascinating story potential, especially with Rey, that I can't wait to see paid off. That's because of another of the film's strengths; the world building. Lots of little details are dropped but not elaborated on, but unlike in a lesser film where this would have felt lazy or just poorly written here they're wonderfully mysterious. They make the audience curious and wonder about these offhand details, like everything has a story. A small but welcome touch.

Rey (Daisy Ridley) & BB-8 on the planet Jakku.

If there was one thing we didn't have to worry about in a JJ Abrams films, it's the visuals. That's true here as well. Abrams has always been a great visual artist, and here he and his production team utilize a well-balanced mix of practical effects and CG to create a modern take on the classic used world aesthetic of Star Wars. It's miles away from the all-digital worlds of the prequels. And Abrams proves his talent in the action scenes, which are clearer and more engaging than anything in either of his two Star Trek films. Abrams biggest weakness has always been marrying his talent for visuals to a compelling story, and it seems as though his relationship with Lucasfilm & Disney has helped him to overcome that in this case.

The Force Awakens is not without a few flaws. The plot has the broad strokes of both Episodes IV & V, combining significant plot elements from both like deadly super weapons and an adorable droid containing vital information. It also relies on convenience to a strong degree, with characters just happening to be in the right place for important events to happen. Some of the side characters, especially the ones from the older films besides Han, get little screentime. In particular Stormtrooper commander Captain Phasma, who despite plenty of pre-release buildup ultimately contributed little to the film. And while I didn't mind the more fan service moments, I am a Star Wars so what I might have found a charming shout-out may be grating to others.

But you know what, none of that matters. Yes, they're things you'll register in the back of your mind as you're watching, or when you step back and examine the film clinically. But when you're watching the film, firmly on the rollercoaster, you won't care about any of them. And you won't care because it's Star Wars and it has the feel of Star Wars. The fun adventure, the sly humor, the operatic drama, the stunning visuals, they're all here. The Force Awakens has everything that made Star Wars great back in 1977, and it's great here in 2015. It's a rollicking good time and a wonderful start to the new trilogy. If this is the future of Star Wars, then the Force is with us.

Final Score: 5/5