How do you sum up a movie like Star Wars: The Force Awakens in one word?
How about “fun”?
Perhaps the greatest achievement of the seventh installment in the 38 year saga is its ability to make the Star Wars on-screen universe an almost unanimously fun experience again. While the original trilogy energized and enthralled a worldwide fan base, helped to create the term ‘blockbuster’ and raised the perception of sci-fi/genre films, the prequel trilogy seemed to suck some of the life out of George Lucas’ cinematic juggernaut. The Force Awakens has restored whatever luster may have been lost with Episodes I-III and has propelled the franchise to the stars once again.
J.J. Abrams did the same trick with Star Trek’s 2009 reboot. An almost flawless film, Star Trek updated Roddenberry’s baby and with spot on casting and fantastic effects emphasized everything that made the original series and films work. The Force Awakens proves that lightning can strike twice, even if it’s not a direct hit. Abrams has updated the Star Wars cinematic universe with diverse casting to reflect the changes in society since the late seventies and early eighties. Daisy Ridley (Rey), John Boyega (Finn), and Oscar Isaac (Poe Dameron) are engaging leads that exhibit some great chemistry when they’re together on screen. They’re backed up by series stalwarts Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher who still have the charm and humor that made their characters so great to watch and root for in the original films. The merging of the two generations of actors helps to ground the experience for those who grew up with Episodes IV-VI while providing a launch pad for a new generation of Star Wars fans.
While there is a lot to like about The Force Awakens, the movie isn’t without its flaws. The villains, despite their pre-film hype, are underwhelming and even though Abrams’ decision to return to practical effects adds a welcome layer of grit to the film, there seems to be something missing. Perhaps it’s the feeling that the ride we’re experiencing in this brand spanking new x-wing is all too familiar. The script by Lawrence Kasdan (The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi), J.J. Abrams and Michael Arndt hits a lot of the right notes, but misses the mark by being a bit too faithful to Star Wars lore. Or maybe it’s the fact that it seems like a lot of the film has been left in the editing room. The motivations for some characters actions are never truly explained nor are their abilities. Mystery is always welcome, but when the unexplained interferes with the action it can diminish the viewing experience. By the time the credits begin to roll The Force Awakens feels as though it’s all been two hours and fifteen minutes of setup for the next two films in the trilogy.
This brings us back to the word ‘fun’. The Force Awakens was an enjoyable experience that leaves you wanting more. It provides action, adventure, laughs, and some nostalgia to go along with a good deal of optimism for the next two installments. Hopefully by then Abrams and the rest of the crew will dive straight into the action now that the setup is complete.
