The force is just hanging on in this one

Rating: Null/10 (22 April 2016)

A long time ago in a galaxy not too far away, a young American director created a sci-fi epic which went on to become a cultural icon. A universe was created that captured the imagination of film goers across the globe. And the merchandising that accompanied this mid 70's blockbuster was spectacularly unprecedented. Sequels (and prequels) followed, generating more money than what is probably collectively owed by the Third World. When Disney forked out $US4 billion to own the franchise, it should have come to no surprise to anyone that a shed load of films would follow, along with all the hype, the merchandising, theme park rides, console games and goodness knows what else. The first step in this new journey has been taken, and the first offering for this current generation has been delivered, with predictably stunning financial results, and generally positive reviews.
The Force Awakens takes off thirty years following the events of Return of the Jedi. New characters are introduced, along with bringing back most of the now much older favourites from the original trilogy. We see the opening action taking place on a desert planet where the bad guys are desperately searching for a droid that contains plans to a super weapon, which finds itself bouncing around the galaxy with a character who is strong with the force, with Han Solo and Chewbacca along for the ride Wait a minute, am I talking about the right film here, or am I having de-ja-vu?
JJ Abrams did a pretty decent job with his two gigs on the Star Trek franchise, and has produced a visually stunning film in The Force Awakens. The film is pacey, has lots of action, and is quite beautiful to look at. From a technical point of view, this is a very well made movie. John Williams does a fine job with the soundtrack, and there are some decent performances from the cast. There's a lot to like about this film, but on the flip-side, there is a something that was very hard to swallow - it lacks originality on a galactic scale.
It could be argued (quite successfully) that since growing up with the original trilogy, I have since grown to be old and cranky (something the prequel trilogy has undoubtedly contributed to). I love my sci-fi, and feel aggrieved when I see a lack of originality, poor scripting and generally bad film making. Whilst this is a beautifully made film, the lack of originality is disappointing. Some things I can learn to deal with, but others less so. The parallels between the Force Awakes and the A New Hope I think, short changes fans who have been with the franchise since the very beginning. I do realise that this is a bridging movie, linking the original trilogy with this latest sojourn, but I do feel overwhelmingly that Abrams has played it a little too safe by sticking to an old, and tired formula.
With all the talk surrounding the new characters in the lead-up to the release of the film, I felt that we didn't get to see quite enough of Finn, and especially Poe Dameron. Finn is merely introduced into the narrative as a Stormtrooper who flips out and suddenly changes allegiances. If it was his first mission as a Stormtrooper, perhaps the director could have given us a short scene where the First Order are preparing to go into battle, thus allowing the audience to also get a more solid introduction to Captain Phasma, who does look like an interesting character, although one which I assumed had met a grisly death in a rubbish compactor. Kylo Ren originally comes across as a poor man's Darth Vader, with severe anger management issues. I was quite intrigued with him, however, by the end of the film.
My favourite part of the whole movie was when Han Solo and Chewbacca walk onto the Millennium Falcon. The encounter with the pirates was also good, and could have been better had it developed into a Mexican stand-off, with Quentin Tarantino hired to direct that one scene. Rey discovering Luke's lightsabre, as remarkably coincidental as it seemed, is a critical juncture in the film, and does lend to the possibility that Rey is in fact, a reincarnation of Anakin Skywalker, as the latest rumours suggest.
The remainder of the film is disappointingly predictable, although no medals get handed out this time, Chewbacca might be seriously thinking about how the hell he is supposed to get one! Instead, at the film's conclusion, the "walking carpet" and Rey take the "piece of junk" to find Luke Skywalker, in a concluding scene which solidly lays the foundation for episode VIII, and goodness knows how many more films to follow after that. In the meantime, it seems that fans will be treated to the first on the Anthology series in Rogue One, which does look good. Hopefully Forrest Whittaker's appearance in this upcoming sci-fi film proves to be more successful than his last venture in the genre (Battlefield Earth).
On a scale of 1-10, I'm giving The Force Awakens a 6. It is beautifully made, with stunning effects, and good performances from the cast, but hopelessly lacking in originality. The powerbrokers at Disney would have been very happy with the film, on account of the starship full of money it has generated, and how it opens itself rather well for many more instalments to follow. Newer fans to the franchise will probably enjoy this movie more than older ones. Hopefully in episode VIII, we get some questions answered along with some better character development. Rian Johnson is helming the next chapter. I don't know much about him, I hope he's up to it. I guess we'll find out at the end of 2017!