Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Rating: 9/10 (18 December 2015)

It just took 32 years, but we finally have a good Star Wars film. To start with, J.J. Abrams' direction is perfect, very well balanced between the action sequences, the dramatic scenes with genuine dramatic weight (yes, I was touched in more than one occasion) and the epic sensation that we are witnessing the rebirth of the saga. The performances are brilliant, from the old acquaintances to the new faces who will inherit the franchise. Needless to say, there are pretty much references to the original trilogy and a big care dedicated to the multiple tributes, but the main task of the film was preparing us for the future, something it did very well without losing of sight the foundations of Star Wars, both in the figurative (the fight between Good and Evil, the function of the Force) and practical (the space battles, the creative aliens and exotic planets) senses. What is more, co-screenwriters Abrams, Lawrence Kasdan and Michael Arndt created the intriguing beginning of a trilogy which, besides of that, tells a fascinating story on its own merit. And even though the ending feels unavoidably inconclusive, it leaves us with a very satisfactory emotional note which foreshadows the huge potential of the sequels. The previously mentioned "old acquaintances" show absolute conviction in their iconic roles, while the new faces also make an excellent work, starting by Daisy Ridley and John Boyega, who feel credible in their roles while having an excellent chemistry with each other; Oscar Isaac has relatively few scenes, but he quickly earns the empathy from the audience; and Adam Driver perfectly transmits Kylo Ren's terrible internal struggle. I also have to mention the extraordinary production design, which continues the general style from the original trilogy, but forging its own retro- modern aesthetic, always respectful of continuity and without the digital fetishism which tarnished the prequels so much. Even though I liked Star Wars: The Force Awakens very much, I have a few small complaints against it. The nostalgia occasionally interferes with the flow of the screenplay, specially when it's not limited to jokes or visual details, but segments of the dramatic structure. My second objection is regarding some aspects of the screenplay, which is interesting, deep and amusing, but it occasionally employs a few slightly irritating coincidences I couldn't accept. Fortunately, those small complaints didn't avoid me from enjoying Star Wars: The Force Awakens as much as the original trilogy; maybe more, because the nostalgic weight and fear of disappointment were combined in this occasion to make the experience more intense and cathartic. In summary, a brilliant rebirth of the Star Wars saga which deserves a very enthusiastic recommendation, and which I would definitely place among the best films I have seen this year.