Safeing

Rating: 7/10 (16 December 2015)

After the catastrophe known as the prequels, it seems that they have learned their lesson. I already here has to give a small spoiler alert. It is as if they went back, compared the original Star Wars to the prequels. My guess is it went something like this. We lacked characters and a plain plot. There was excessively use of CGI instead of practical effects. The light saber battles were too polished and well-choreographed and lacked raw emotion. The prequels took themselves too seriously and the there was a lack of the humor from the original films. Moreover, there was Jar Jar Binks Now, they have managed to create five new great characters (yes, I am counting the droid). In addition, they brought back the greatest due of all: Han Solo and Chewbacca. I especially liked the introduction of the characters in the film. So, characters check. Plot, good versus evil. Right from the start there is no doubt about who is evil and who is good. The film introduces this with the introduction of the characters. The struggle good versus evil, plot check. The practical effects of this are great, and I cannot say I saw any flaws with the use of CGI, maybe with the exception of the Emperor replacement. Cannot say I was impressed with him. But check again. The jokes were back, both with Han Solo and with the new characters. It made it enjoyable to watch the film. Check. I really enjoyed the light saber battles(s). Big check there. Finally, Jar Jar Binks or any other annoying thing did not show. Final check. However, it all seemed very, very familiar. The new characters were in fact not entirely new. The got much of the old characters in them. Han Solo was kind of Obi-Wan from the original films, the girl (Rey) was Luke, BB-something was R2D2, Pilot-dude was Hans Solo and so on. Furthermore, the plot was not just similar but the same as the first original Star Wars. In fact, multiple scenes, like the opening, were close to identical. I can mention more like the bar scene, introduction of Luke/girl (Rey) on a lost planet, storing important plans on a droid, death star as a planet, final battle with a flight scene down a tunnel, sneaking around and avoid storm troopers, death of old main character at the end. And that is just the top of my head, I could go on. This is a good Star Wars film and it is not a disappointment like the Phantom Menace. I enjoyed it. However, it lacks originality. It is practically a remake of the original Star Wars. There are a few deviations, which I hope will expand. For example, the bad guy got much potential for development. But it is without a doubt in my mind a safeing (probably not a real word, but you get the idea), something to satisfy the fans and give them exactly what they want. But, I have seen the original Star Wars, and I enjoyed them very much. I can see the original again if I want to. I want something new. I hope the following sequels will take more chances. Make new original stories. Try to develop independent characters, instead of copying the old. Unfortunately, the setup for the next sequel feels like a setup for the The Empire Strike Back again. With the girl going in for training and the 501-legion striking back. Hopefully I am wrong.