Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens
Unless you live under a rock, you probably know that the seventh installment of the Star Wars series hit theaters last week with a resounding $250 million in domestic opening weekend sales and a 95% rotten tomatoes freshness rating. Even disregarding its box office and critical success, Star Wars is such a cultural phenomenon that it seems wrong not to write about it. Before we begin though, I think it's mandatory for me to put a spoiler alert here. If you haven't seen this movie yet, get off your lazy butt and go see it. I've already seen it twice.
***SPOILER ALERT***
Ok, now that's out of the way, let's move on. So what makes the next chapter of this franchise so amazing despite the fact that it's been 32 years since Harrison Ford, Carrie Fischer, and Mark Hamill made their last on screen appearance as the original heroes of the Rebellion? What makes Episode VII a success despite the fact that the series is no longer in the hands of its creator (who, by the way, was highly criticized for the prequels he put out in the late 1990s/early 2000s)? Why is the hype for this movie exactly what it deserved? Because this film had it all. Respect for the original series and references for the original fans. Amazing new characters. And of course, don't forget J.J. Abrams' well timed comedy. He should be crowned the king of science fiction reboots.
I have to admit, when I first saw the opening crawl, accompanied by the classic main title we've all grown to know so well, I freaked out a little. But that was only the first of many things to come that made this movie feel like it fit so well with all the others. Of course, John Williams did the score, bringing a familiarity to the musical undertones that enhance each moment. And the editors even stuck with the old school transitions from the original series, which I loved.
Then there are the references. So many references. There are the obvious ones of course, with role reprisals by Harrison Ford as Han Solo, Carrie Fischer as Leia Organa, and Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker. Chewie, 3P0 and R2 are all still with us. Kylo Ren, who's actual name is Ben which may be a nod to Obi-wan Kenobi, has somehow managed to get a hold of Vader's old helmet. There are various old Empire machines strewn about the deserts of Jakku, many of which Rey scavenges for parts. The Millennium Falcon, bless its soul, is still functional. That ship is a treasure trove of subtle references from Dejarik holochess to Luke's Marksman-H combat remote to Finn and Rey hiding under the floor like our original heroes. I could continue, or you could just watch the video below so I can move on.
Although I love the original series, I think one of my favorite parts of the movie are the new characters. There are so many great things about them, but I'll try to highlight the best part of each and keep things short.
Kylo Ren: Our main baddie for this film is a tantrum throwing emo teenager who seems to just be misunderstood and confused. He has Anakin-like fits of rage, which calls to memory his grandfather's borderline personality disorder. The thing I love most about Kylo is that he's still developing. He's not a full-blown villain yet, meaning we get to see his growth as well as Rey's, and that maybe, just maybe, he can still be saved. Though I'm not sure how you come back from killing your father by stabbing him with a janky ass lightsaber... I also don't know how you come back from that awful outfit. We all know Ani wouldn't be caught dead in those garbs.
BB-8: He's adorable and much better built for chase scenes. Also stairs and lighter thumbs up. Need I say more?
Finn: In the past we've never seen stormtroopers really as people. We don't know what it's like to grow up on the Death Star, or in this case Starkiller Base. To follow the path of someone who we would normally expect to just get shot at is an interesting premise. It makes Finn a compelling character because it makes you think about what it means to choose to be good. And he's kind of a damsel in distress, which is pretty cute.
Poe: We don't really know much about Poe yet except that he's a kickass pilot and somehow didn't die in that Tie Fighter crash. Mostly I love his relationship with BB-8. And his bromance with Finn.
Rey: I have saved the best for last. Rey is a BAMF. A strong, independent, relatable female lead, she is probably the reason I will love The Force Awakens forever. Clever and capable, Rey is a survivor with a penchant for mechanics and a knack for flying. But she's also kind and compassionate. Saving BB-8 from being scavenged and not selling him despite her hunger. She is eager to do the right thing and help the Resistance, even when Finn wanted her to run away. Oh and she also happens to be strong with the Force. Star Wars is not just a boys' club anymore, young girls everywhere will look up to Rey and see themselves in her. And there's a really good chance she's a Skywalker, which basically makes her the protagonist of this story. How awesome is that? Plus she Jedi mind tricks James Bond. Enough said.
Speaking of Jedi mind tricks, let's recap some of my favorite scenes in the movie, a few of which can be attributed to excellent comedic timing, a JJ Abrams speciality. In no particular order:
1. This was mentioned before but BB-8 giving Finn a thumbs up with his lighter.
2. Another BB-8 favorite, the way he rolls down the stairs as he follows Rey when the lightsaber calls to her
3. Han and Leia's reunion
4. Han and Leia's reunion being interrupted by 3PO in his classic style
5. Finn asking Rey if she had a cute boyfriend
6. Finn continually grabbing Rey's hand while she ascertains she can run just fine without him holding her hand
7. Finn and Poe's reunion bro-hug
8. Rey and Han finishing each other's thoughts
9. The two stormtroopers backing away when they realize Kylo Ren is having a tantrum
10. Finn saying they'll just use the Force to lower the shields and Han replying that's not how the Force works
11. Rey Jedi mind tricking Daniel Craig
12. The lightsaber heeding Rey's call in the battle with Kylo Ren
13. Rey and Luke facing each other for the first(?) time as she holds his lightsaber out to him
So yeah. I think I've gone on long enough about why I love the new Star Wars movie. I cannot wait until 2017 for the next installment to come out. In the mean time, I'll contend myself with all the discussions out there about Rey's parentage, Finn's backstory, Kylo Ren's seduction to the dark side, and what's going to happen now that Luke has an apprentice he can actually train. And maybe I'll see this movie just a few more times while I wait.
***SPOILER ALERT***
Ok, now that's out of the way, let's move on. So what makes the next chapter of this franchise so amazing despite the fact that it's been 32 years since Harrison Ford, Carrie Fischer, and Mark Hamill made their last on screen appearance as the original heroes of the Rebellion? What makes Episode VII a success despite the fact that the series is no longer in the hands of its creator (who, by the way, was highly criticized for the prequels he put out in the late 1990s/early 2000s)? Why is the hype for this movie exactly what it deserved? Because this film had it all. Respect for the original series and references for the original fans. Amazing new characters. And of course, don't forget J.J. Abrams' well timed comedy. He should be crowned the king of science fiction reboots.
I have to admit, when I first saw the opening crawl, accompanied by the classic main title we've all grown to know so well, I freaked out a little. But that was only the first of many things to come that made this movie feel like it fit so well with all the others. Of course, John Williams did the score, bringing a familiarity to the musical undertones that enhance each moment. And the editors even stuck with the old school transitions from the original series, which I loved.
Then there are the references. So many references. There are the obvious ones of course, with role reprisals by Harrison Ford as Han Solo, Carrie Fischer as Leia Organa, and Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker. Chewie, 3P0 and R2 are all still with us. Kylo Ren, who's actual name is Ben which may be a nod to Obi-wan Kenobi, has somehow managed to get a hold of Vader's old helmet. There are various old Empire machines strewn about the deserts of Jakku, many of which Rey scavenges for parts. The Millennium Falcon, bless its soul, is still functional. That ship is a treasure trove of subtle references from Dejarik holochess to Luke's Marksman-H combat remote to Finn and Rey hiding under the floor like our original heroes. I could continue, or you could just watch the video below so I can move on.
Although I love the original series, I think one of my favorite parts of the movie are the new characters. There are so many great things about them, but I'll try to highlight the best part of each and keep things short.
Kylo Ren: Our main baddie for this film is a tantrum throwing emo teenager who seems to just be misunderstood and confused. He has Anakin-like fits of rage, which calls to memory his grandfather's borderline personality disorder. The thing I love most about Kylo is that he's still developing. He's not a full-blown villain yet, meaning we get to see his growth as well as Rey's, and that maybe, just maybe, he can still be saved. Though I'm not sure how you come back from killing your father by stabbing him with a janky ass lightsaber... I also don't know how you come back from that awful outfit. We all know Ani wouldn't be caught dead in those garbs.
BB-8: He's adorable and much better built for chase scenes. Also stairs and lighter thumbs up. Need I say more?
Finn: In the past we've never seen stormtroopers really as people. We don't know what it's like to grow up on the Death Star, or in this case Starkiller Base. To follow the path of someone who we would normally expect to just get shot at is an interesting premise. It makes Finn a compelling character because it makes you think about what it means to choose to be good. And he's kind of a damsel in distress, which is pretty cute.
Poe: We don't really know much about Poe yet except that he's a kickass pilot and somehow didn't die in that Tie Fighter crash. Mostly I love his relationship with BB-8. And his bromance with Finn.
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| Courtesy of Flipgeeks on Facebook |
Rey: I have saved the best for last. Rey is a BAMF. A strong, independent, relatable female lead, she is probably the reason I will love The Force Awakens forever. Clever and capable, Rey is a survivor with a penchant for mechanics and a knack for flying. But she's also kind and compassionate. Saving BB-8 from being scavenged and not selling him despite her hunger. She is eager to do the right thing and help the Resistance, even when Finn wanted her to run away. Oh and she also happens to be strong with the Force. Star Wars is not just a boys' club anymore, young girls everywhere will look up to Rey and see themselves in her. And there's a really good chance she's a Skywalker, which basically makes her the protagonist of this story. How awesome is that? Plus she Jedi mind tricks James Bond. Enough said.
Speaking of Jedi mind tricks, let's recap some of my favorite scenes in the movie, a few of which can be attributed to excellent comedic timing, a JJ Abrams speciality. In no particular order:
1. This was mentioned before but BB-8 giving Finn a thumbs up with his lighter.
2. Another BB-8 favorite, the way he rolls down the stairs as he follows Rey when the lightsaber calls to her
3. Han and Leia's reunion
4. Han and Leia's reunion being interrupted by 3PO in his classic style
5. Finn asking Rey if she had a cute boyfriend
6. Finn continually grabbing Rey's hand while she ascertains she can run just fine without him holding her hand
7. Finn and Poe's reunion bro-hug
8. Rey and Han finishing each other's thoughts
9. The two stormtroopers backing away when they realize Kylo Ren is having a tantrum
10. Finn saying they'll just use the Force to lower the shields and Han replying that's not how the Force works
11. Rey Jedi mind tricking Daniel Craig
12. The lightsaber heeding Rey's call in the battle with Kylo Ren
13. Rey and Luke facing each other for the first(?) time as she holds his lightsaber out to him
So yeah. I think I've gone on long enough about why I love the new Star Wars movie. I cannot wait until 2017 for the next installment to come out. In the mean time, I'll contend myself with all the discussions out there about Rey's parentage, Finn's backstory, Kylo Ren's seduction to the dark side, and what's going to happen now that Luke has an apprentice he can actually train. And maybe I'll see this movie just a few more times while I wait.
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