Review of Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) by Nikola8 — 25 Dec 2015

This movie was excellent. I've seen the movie twice now, so the following is based on my analysis of two viewings. Minor spoilers will abound, but nothing too big.

First of all, yes, this movie is very similar to episode 4, aka the "original" star wars. So what! It knows that it is doing this and, unlike the negative reviews, isn't pulling a fast one. It is intentionally following a similar thread, almost like a symphony. The prequels were actually supposed to be more similar to the originals until G Lucas messed them up. But, to break it down - lost heroes unite. One of them is strong in the force, they at the end is a battle, and the good guys destroy a space station. Sound familiar? Well, it happened in the Phantom Menace, A New Hope, and Force Awakens. So any complaints about the story being a copy are unreasonable - the movie is intentionally being parallel to its predecessors.

Where this movie SHINES is in its new cast. Rey, Fin, Poe, and Kylo Ren were all excellent. Han Solo served enough of a plot point but was necessarily killed off to leave room for the new group. I was surprised at just how good this new cast is. I haven't felt this excited about a group of characters in a sci fi show since the original star wars trilogy. None of the prequels had this quality of cast. Ewan McGreggor was good, Liam Neeson got killed before we could appreciate him, Sam Jackson was in the prequels too infrequently, so we were left with Hayden Christiansen and a boring version of Natalie Portman (who, aside from the prequels, is actually a great actress). No such complaints can be found for the Force Awakens. That move is simply awesome. Go with an open mind. Don't tear it apart due to its similarities to the originals - and just realize those similarities are intentional, and don't be too sad when you see Han die, it is sad, but don't let it ruin the movie. All said, J.J. Abrams nailed this movie more than anyone else could have.

Oh, and just to throw some fuel on the fire - Rey is clearly Luke's lost daughter...