The Beauty of Repeating History

Rating: 8/10 (23 December 2015)

The story of Star Wars is one that many love and cherish across the generations. For each generation, it differs. Having been raised watching the original trilogy and then witnessing the second trilogy's release, I feel that I can only supply an opinion that could generally apply to my generation (as opposed to those who saw the originals in theaters or those born around the time of the second trilogy, etc.)
My first viewing of the Force Awakens upset me. It seemed to avoid character depth for Kylo Ren, allowed Rey access to the Force far to easily, and left to much of Abrams fingerprint. Also I raised the question, "Why is this so repetitive of the originals?"
Besides these problems (and some minor issues) I found the film beautiful in cinematography and its desire to stick to fundamental graphics as opposed to tons of CGI.
I had the opportunity to see it a second time and decided to go in seeking to discern what the true aim of the newest installments could be. I also had gone back and re-watched the first three (IV, V, & VI).
It made all the difference. After watching it, I asked my father what he thought. He said, "I loved and hated it, but I appreciated how they portrayed that history repeats itself."
That was it. It's not a remake, and while it may be out to please, it doesn't seek to satisfy is with what we've already seen before. It's telling us that across the ages, in fiction and reality, there has always been good and there has always been evil. And while The Force Awakens fails to give a gray area at times, it shows the majesty of how the lives we live are not all that different from those before us, that there is something we all can share young and old.
When Han steps out before his son and yells out his true name, I got chills, both times. The meaning behind it, naming his son after Kenobi is palpable. Not only that, his son has taken the mantle of Vader, who killed Kenobi. And unwittingly, Solo took the place of Ben at the last moment.
History repeats itself. This may be disdained by some viewers in its apparent "lack of originality", but is that the point? Or is there a secret aim that is truly original?
We can only know by continuing the journey that lies ahead. May the force be with the future cast and directors of these films. Our opinions are in your hands.