Read, or
read not – but there are no spoilers.
So, I got
to go to a premiere screening of the new Star Wars film, The Force Awakens (hooked up by
a fantastic person, who knows another fantastic person, who works at the
fantastic cinema that is Genesis!). I have
to admit that while I was excited, I was also sceptical and a little worried
that I’d leave feeling the same disappointment that filled me after each of the
prequel series.
That was
not the case! This film is Star Wars – you get the sense of awe at seeing spaceships
do dazzling stunts, the excitement of seeing massive battles take place, and
the swells of emotions as the music and visuals match seamlessly, making you
forget that you’re in a cinema surrounded by other people. Instead, you’re in
the galaxy far, far away.
As Michael
Barryte said in his “What
if Episode I was good?” YouTube video, the key to making a prequel or
sequel is to have a feeling of old and new. Making things feel familiar to
viewers, but with enough new stuff to get them to come see the latest instalment.
The Force Awakens has nailed this, across characters, settings, costume design
and theme. Now, in saying that, there were a few moments where I was thinking, ‘Well,
this seems a bit too familiar’, but it was brief and is probably just because I
watched the Original Trilogy (IV, V, and VI) waaay
too much when I was a child. But we’ll move on.
The pacing
of this film is nearly perfect. Straight off the bat we get some good action,
while also being introduced to key characters in a dynamic setting. No sitting
around tables talking nonsense and boring politics, and there are no points in
the first three-quarters of the film where you are thinking about anything else
other than, “Man, this is awesome!” Admittedly, the last 5 or so minutes do
slow down a bit, but considering there’s been 130 minutes before that, you’ll
be fine.
It’s also
such a relief that the new characters are actually likeable and can show a
wider emotional range than whiney or disinterested. While this is mostly good
casting (Daisy
Ridley, John
Boyega and Oscar
Isaac are great additions to the Star Wars line-up), I believe a portion of
the credit must go to the use of actual sets. Yes, there are CGI elements – its
space battles, robots, and aliens – but the cast get to react to the things
(mostly) in the physical space around them. It must make getting into character a lot
easier than standing in front of a blue screen being told “And now a big,
intimidating beast is going to chase you.” Hats off to the set and costume team
– excellent job!
There were
elements that I felt a little dissatisfied with, things like the name of the
film itself, the terms ‘First Order’, ‘the Resistance’, and the story’s general
background. It seems a little odd that a galactic power is relying on a small group
that it somewhat funds to hold off a gigantic threat. But maybe that’s just
politics, and who wants politics in Star Wars, right? And like I said before –
old and new. It feels like A New Hope (Episode IV), with a powerful enemy bearing
down on a small group of freedom fighters. Some of dialogue feels a little clunky and forced,
but nothing like what it was in the prequels. And lastly, the handling of Daisy
Ridley’s character, Rey, is a little...odd. Some critics have said they weren’t
convinced by her performance, but I don’t see that as the problem. She seems
just a little too perfect, knowing how to fix things she’s never encountered
before, fly things she’s only ever gazed on, and win fights she is in no way
prepared for. However, I’m sure she’ll grow into the role, just like Luke did in A New Hope.
Without
giving anything away for the die-hard Star Wars fans, this film will confirm a
few things you think you know, disprove others theories you may have, surprise
you with things you didn’t see coming , AND (most importantly in my mind) leave
you with questions. Questions you want answered. And it has a hefty amount of nods to
the Original Trilogy. You’ll like those.
Best of
all, this film is accessible. You don’t need to have seen the others to come
into this to enjoy it. It would help, but there is enough character
introduction and explanation (of both the old and the new faces) that you’ll be
able to thoroughly enjoy the film. And not in the ‘let’s sit down and get to
know each other’ kind of way. You’ll get it in the dialogue or the way they
handle themselves in the action.
As for its
reception – I have but one word. Epic. The audience at the screening I was in
loved it. There were woops and applause when the old cast members showed up, a
torrent of clapping at the beginning and end, and a lot of laughs at the decent
jokes made throughout the film. It may have helped these were all fans willing
to go to a film’s opening midnight launch, but I think it was more that they
just really enjoyed it.
If you love
Star Wars, go see it! If you like Star Wars, go see it. If you’re unsure about
Star Wars, this may be the film to get you into it. If you don’t like Star
Wars...well, you’re missing out.