Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Rating: 10/10 (18 December 2015)

30 years after the defeat of the Galactic Empire, a new threat rises. The First Order attempts to rule the galaxy and only a ragtag group of Heroes can stop them, along the help of the Resistance.
Has any film ever promised so much by giving away so little? Ever since we got our first look at The Force Awakens over a year ago, the secrecy surroundings its plot only served to increase our expectations even more. This film is the 7th chapter but also the first film in what's now being called the "sequel trilogy"; which means that The Force Awakens picks up years after Return of the Jedi (1983), the third release. This series grew quickly into a phenomenon, most crucially a sensibility that is now rooted in the human being. Star Wars has gone beyond the sci-fi genre, to its own kind of intergalactic almost-Arthurian quest and romance. J.J. Abrams may not have the powers of God nor the scale of an Empire builder like George Lucas but he turns out to be what the franchise needs: a "Star Wars" fanboy and a pop culture genius. It seems fitting that this new instalment is directed by one of our own that has this desire to transport the viewers - to return us to a wondrous, childlike state of movie-going innocence. You can see why Disney and Lucasfilm wanted to hide their spoilers, it's very interesting and pretty fun discovering the character played by Lupita Nyong'o or learning some of Han and Leia's family secrets, which I will not reveal here.
This movie serves its function, which is to transition from one universe to another along with these younger characters. Appealing women and men whose victories, scars, goofiness and decency reminds you that a pop mythology like Star Wars needs more than odds to sustain it. The Force Awakens is modern, diverse and female- empowered that its predecessor. While there's an undeniable pleasure in the return of actors like Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher - particularly Ford, whose return to Han Solo is fully present and committed; the new characters truly stand out as intriguing additions to the adventure.
Daisy Ridley and John Boyega are worth the ticket price alone. You'd assume they'd starred together in a trilogy before. I can't speak highly enough of their dramatic and even comic ranges. Most importantly Daisy Ridley is not a sexual object for nerd to fantaisies about. Gone are the days of golden bikinis boys! She's a thinker, a doer and a strong-willed rebel fighter also able to rewire devices on any spaceship: a terrifically capable character who addresses some of the gender imbalance that has long been an issue in Star Wars. Her presence is exactly what the part calls for. She emerges as the star of the show particularly when she dodges all attempt to confine her character to the role of damsel in distress. Rey's character development matches the film's rapid pace, almost as if Abrams and screenwriters couldn't wait for her to reach her full potential.
Poe Dameron starring Oscar Isaac nails the goofy and irreverent tone of the series. An outstanding pilot and charming soldier, this is the sort of character Anakin should have been before his fall to the Dark Side in the prequels. Plus, Kylo Ren is set to be a villain that could rival Vader himself with a lofty presence, booming voice, fits of anger and this red lightsaber everyone has been talking about; but he never reaches the enigmatic statues of Vader's early appearances, he has nonetheless the potential to become a lasting icon of villainy in his own right. However, the less said about his villainous cohorts the better: Domhnall Gleeson's General Hux seems neither frightening nor useful while Andy Serkis' large CGI Supreme Leader Snoke feels more like a throwback to those forgettable prequels than anything. On the plus side Abrams' Stormtroopers have a bit more smarts to them than we've previously seen.
When Han Solo and Chewie come on, I had a feeling in the cinema I haven't had for a long time: not knowing whether to burst into tears or into applause. Harrison Ford really looks like he had a blast, he's just a guy having fun on the set of a Star Wars movie. An all together splendid Harrison Ford who, unlike original co-stars Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill, has a full fledged, roaring leading role rather than a cameo. He has been here before and his 'It's all true" speech featured in the trailer, is a highlight of the movie. In fact, what is intriguing about this moment, though, is that it isn't just about the character or Abrams > Link to my blog to read more