Review of Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) by Ben-13 — 18 Dec 2015

Star Wars the Force Awakens achieves in bringing together the original trilogy's sense of magic while simultaneously integrating a modern take on the biggest science fiction franchise (sorry Star Trek).

As an individual who has experienced the Original trilogy and the Prequels at the same time in my childhood, I could only find the good points of the films. As my taste matured, the Original Trilogy stood well above the Prequels so when the first teasers for the Force Awakens were released my anticipation and expectations reached extremely high levels.

Star Wars the Force Awakens allows JJ Abrams the chance to direct/produce/co-write yet another major science fiction franchise which he completes to a degree. Minor faults in editing and chopping of action sequences can be jarring, however, these minor faults are too few.

The film launches at a breakneck speed as the major characters are introduced throughout with Daisey Ridley the standout. The characters of Rey and Finn both combine elements of the Original Trilogy's characters with the Han, Luke and Leia influences clearly seen. This only makes the characters more engaging with the on screen chemistry between Finn and Rey entirely authentic and brillant, completly leaving behind the Chrisstenson and Portman's forced relationship.

The film shares many parallels with A New Hope with several plot points and scenes clearly similar to A New Hope, but Abrams instead twists these plot points in a new way while adding subtle nostalgic hints and humor. Clearly the script was the most impressive as the lines of dialogue at no point feel forced while maintaining momentum and adding the Original Trilogy's cast back into the world famous roles. All the performances are strong and was one of the few movies where I couldn't find one member of the cast who felt out of place.

Harrison Ford's performance is the top of the pile with Han Solo's character showing all the points that made him one of the most iconic characters of all time while Carrie Fisher also figures strongly.

Adam Driver and the script both combine for the making of a complex villain in Kylo Ren with Adam Driver giving a performance to the level that Anakin Skywalker deserved in the prequels.

Star Wars the Force Awakens is not a perfect film,however, too few exist and the Force Awakens delivers beats felt in the Original Trilogy, more specifically a New Hope, but never takes the franchise into a dangerous place such as the Prequels did, which, while making the Force Awakens feel "safe" doesn't ever diminish the film.