"...a winner after the first viewing, but not in the second, third and so forth."

Rating: 7/10 (4 June 2016)

"The Force Awakens" is a winner after the first viewing, but not in the second, third and so forth. "Star Wars" has its roots from the first six instalments. The extraordinary connection and understanding between the fans and the series' universe are strongly active. So, it does not matter whether "The Force Awakens" is good or not, as to be successful in profit-making is guaranteed. And what if it is good? Two-billion dollars in the box office is the result. "The Force Awakens" is the new generation of people or characters which is (new generation) being linked from the previous two trilogies.
Rey (Daisy Ridley) is a scavenger. A young woman of scrawny physique but strong in the heart. Rey reminds me of Hayao Miyazaki's principal female characters in movies like "Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind" and "Princess Mononoke". Whether J. J. Abrams and team were inspired or not is an assertion I'm not aware of. Anyway, Rey is the key of the movie and will remain to be for the whole trilogy. The first three movies centred on Luke Skywalker; Anakin Skywalker in the second; and it seemed like Rey will succeed that "position".
Commanded by the First Order to destroy a village and massacre its inhabitants, betrays his side, saves a pilot, falls to a planet of barren lands, and stumbles upon Rey. The man is Finn (John Boyega). To opt in casting a black actor to play large role the "Star Wars" universe is a rare choice. Finn could have easily been white, but the studios paint it black instead. The character? Finn was never been a major contributor of the story. He is not a great deal except for being a guy who just follows a group of adventurers exploring the galaxy and keeps making loud noises. What lacking in Finn (not John Boyega) is a genuine character development. I blame the writers not the actors.
One of the achievements of the picture, apart from the nostalgic moments which bring back reminiscences of classic "Star Wars", is the representation of Kylo Ren (Adam Driver). A ruthless, curmudgeon baleful young man of the highest (First) order. I extoll the definitive imaginations of whoever involved had on the mentioned character. It possessed a dark, powerful-like stark costume design surely, but Adam's Driver strong performance cemented the character's image. The fact that Adam outshined Daisy and Boyega shows that "The Force Awakens" is a loose tooth. I cannot put forward a movie of, mediocre performances from its leading stars (Adam not included), as outstanding, or masterful, or phenomenal.
"The Force Awakens" seems like a near-remake of the original "Star Wars". Many elements were being borrowed from it. The so called Superweapon, which is actually "Death Star" from "A New Hope", is one of the many examples. There are much similarities but I won't discuss further here. Perhaps such decision was deliberate, but work of art that relies on original ideas will always be better.
In total disregard for the faults it has, "The Force Awakens" is still a positive and engaging modern sci-fi picture. The staggering coherence of its plotting contributes for a fun movie experience. Action sequences is well executed and not in exaggeration. With all that, this addition is a success and it proves that "Star Wars" movie franchise is still in safe hands; and despite its flaws and everything, I believe that "The Force Awakens" is an effort which fans must appreciate.
(Cinematicmadness.blogspot.com)