[Review] Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)

by Dragos Diaconu

With: Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, Max von Sydow, Gwendoline Christie

Directed by: J.J. Abrams

Music by: John Williams

Duration: 135 minutes

The end of the year is near and, as advertised by Disney Studios, it was time for one of the most hyped movies of the last few years. Even if I watched all of the Star Wars movies, times and times again, and liked all of them, I’m very far from being one of those fans that live and breathe by the side of their favorite franchise. But I could not miss this new episode of the Star Wars saga, especially after everything that was discussed worldwide since Lucasfilm was taken over by Disney.

The days before the movie premiere, when people were either getting psyched, imagining what could be in the new movie, or trying to find reasons not to like the film before they even saw it, all I thought about it was “please don’t suck”. With that thought in mind, I went to the movie, expecting at the same time the best and the worst. The best way not to be disappointed, isn’t it?

But, two and a half hours later, I left the theater feeling ambivalent. I loved that the movie had some of the main characters from the old movies still present, although altered by some 30 years. Harrison Ford reprised his role as Han Solo with the same charm and his rogue spirit as tough as we all know and love. Carrie Fisher is also back as Leia Organa, and is as determined as ever. Mark Hamill also made a return as Luke Skywalker, but his presence this time is more of a wink to the future episodes. Even C-3PO is back with some more of his robot mistiming. There were also some little throwback lines to past episodes which are quite discreet and a bit whimsical that every Star Wars fan will recognize and appreciate.

What I liked less about this movie is the exact same pattern as Episode IV and with some elements of Episode V. If the goal of the writers was to make an Episode IV S, to continue the naming pattern used by a well-known mobile manufacturer, then I would have absolutely no problem about it. But to use the same elements with a refresh in the characters department makes me think that they used a shortcut they didn’t need to make and could have come up with a different story that fans would have still loved.

But, if we see this movie as Star Wars movie for newly acquired fans, then we have no reason not to like it. The story was nice and exciting, the special effects were exceptional and the music, still by John Williams, was completely up to par. The separation between the good and the bad characters is pretty clear, although I personally think that Adam Driver doesn’t necessarily has the face and attitude to make a good baddie. Discussing that subject, I won’t enter the Vader vs Kylo Ren debate, but I do like that the new character has a more humane face than his predecessor. The new characters blend in seamlessly with the older ones and have a mystery aura behind them that will make any fan’s imagination thrive waiting for Episode VIII, not to mention the completely adorable new droid BB-8, which is an improved version of R2-D2 with much more personality.

In conclusion, this movie is a must see for the modern movie lover, there’s no doubt about that. But don’t go expecting anything revolutionary about it. Disney definitely wouldn’t have that, because they wouldn’t want to divide the fans. Instead think of it at the same time as a sequel to the story that pays respect to the previous episodes, using the successful recipe that dates from the 70’s and improves on the special effects side (where it was expected) and added some very welcomed touches of humor to make it even more likeable.

Grade: 9.5/10