The Force Has Awakened!!!

Rating: Null/10 (17 December 2015)

It's been a decade since the release of the last "Star Wars" film, but the "The Force Awakens" isn't very interested in the George Lucas prequels. Instead, the new picture is a continuation of the Original Trilogy, attempting to pick up where 1983's "Return of the Jedi" left off, hoping to rekindle a bit of the old big screen magic with familiar characters and dramatic situations. Co-writer/director J.J. Abrams embarks on a daunting challenge of nostalgia and world- building with the feature, and he's wildly successful with his revival efforts,triumphantly jump-starting the franchise for a fresh round of sequels and spin-offs that hope to play to all ages and degrees of fandom. As a series starter pistol, "The Force Awakens" packs substantial firepower.
Luke Skywalker is missing, creating a disruption in the Force that's allowed the First Order to revive galaxy-controlling ambition left behind by the Empire. Finn is a disillusioned Stormtrooper who's searching for a way out of his murderous duty, eventually meeting with imprisoned Resistance pilot Poe to hatch an escape. Crash- landing on the desert planet Jakku, Finn meets Rey, a scavenger in possession of Poe's droid, BB-8. Teaming up with the isolated but aware young woman,Finn looks to fly far away from the troubles of the universe, only to find himself pulled into the thick of things when the pair encounters Han Solo and Chewbacca, discovering that BB-8 possesses a special map that leads to the whereabouts of Skywalker. Attempting to live up to his duties as a knight of the dark side, Kylo Ren leads a frantic search for the map, joined by First Order commander General Hux, with their evil ways guided by the shadowy Supreme Leader Snoke (Andy Serkis). Apparently, the grand, Empire-burning celebration encountered at the finale of "Jedi" was short-lived. In the 30 years since the demise of the Emperor, peace was restored and lost by Skywalker, with the First Order and their Nazi-esque ways taking possession of the galaxy, with Hux keeping command of an army of Stormtroopers while Ren makes the mission more personal, attempting to live up to the legacy of his deity, Darth Vader, fighting elements of the light and dark within, making him the most temperamental of the new characters, prone to lightsaber-slashing tantrums (Driver is exceptional here). Ren is the most dynamic character of "The Force Awakens," introduced as a determined foe gradually shaping his evil powers, trying to mimic Vader's presence by donning a cape and menacing mask, while his control of the Force is something to be feared. However, Ren isn't the mystery that drives the screenplay by Abrams and Lawrence Kasdan, it's the question mark of Luke Skywalker, whose self-imposed exile is the key that unlocks a new wave of players in the "Star Wars" saga.
Finn and Rey represent the next generation of "Star Wars" heroes, with the turncoat Stormtrooper initially trying to save his own skin by escaping from the First Order, while the scavenger is the horizon-gazing dreamer of the movie, left behind on Jakku for reasons that aren't immediately understood, making a life for herself in the middle of nowhere. Their eventual union is the lightning strike Abrams summons to put the story in motion, with the pair exploring strange new worlds as they experience life beyond daily duty, including a high-speed chase through the ruins of Jakku once they come across the Millennium Falcon (which is gifted the best introduction in the picture), taking command of a vessel that's been traded and junked for decades. The characters are wide-eyed and possess surprising skills of survival, with Rey clever and knowledgeable about ships, while Finn is slightly dim and easily overwhelmed, unable to launch himself as the gallant knight he imagines himself to be. The performances are sky- high with earnestness but showcase outstanding charisma, with Ridley emerging as a thrilling screen presence, taking command of the effort with defined spirit and welcome emotion.
The relationship between Rey and Finn forms the foundation of "The Force Awakens," with the twosome experiencing personal tests of bravery and power as they experience several clashes with the First Order. The pair is eventually joined by Solo and Chewbacca, permitting Abrams to indulge long time fans of the series by reuniting with old friends. Thankfully, the scoundrel and the walking carpet are given a few things to do instead of milking the appearance, the screenplay makes Solo an important participant, with his knowledge of what's come before and what lies ahead instructional to Finn and Rey.
"The Force Awakens" is filled with surprises and reunions, with General Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher) arriving in the film's second half,creating specific tension with Solo as the pair confronts their fractured relationship. Familiar monsters and droids join the festivities, but the picture is careful to introduce a few new characters as well, including Maz Kanata (Lupita Nyong'o), a diminutive, 1,000-year-old sage who runs a cantina out of her castle,in possession of Skywalker's old lightsaber, which inspires a mid-movie disturbance in the Force, with some more aware of the powerful energy than others.
However, there is a formula to "The Force Awakens" that might rub some fans the wrong way, with Abrams and Kasdan essentially recycling events from "A New Hope" to inspire the new film. Cynics will likely scoff, but it seems to be a calculated move, trying to realign the franchise with recognizable formula to help launch a modern saga with different participants. The movie certainly ends with a humdinger of a cliffhanger that makes the wait for "Episode VIII" all the more painful. Deja vu is persistent, but Abrams taps into the soul of "Star Wars" with real vigour and an understanding of what made the George Lucas years so special, providing a rollicking adventure that brings back pure escapism, epic visuals, and boldly designed heroes and villains, making the return to a long time ago in a galaxy far, faraway all the more satisfying.