Weekly Review -- Star Wars: The Force Awakens

On a sunny Saturday, the first one of 2016, I went to watch a new entry in the ubiquitous Star Wars series. I was looking forward to it, having heard nothing but praise from fans and reviewers alike. The film looked amazing and the helmer was J.J. Abrams, whose resumé traverses fantasies from a shadow-infested island to the final frontier, from a student-turned-CIA agent to a futuristic human/android police force.

On a gloomy Saturday afternoon, I was leaving the multiplex, having seen The Force Awakens. As far as I was concerned, there was no gloom or doom outside. A huge grin plastered across my face, I had just spent two hours revisiting my childhood and reconnecting with some of my favorite characters, as well as getting introduced to new ones. I had just seen a film that schools us on the art of the blockbuster and uses the power of imagination to its fullest. Simply put, Episode VII is cinematic brilliance, showing that there is still a whole lot of wonder in the galaxy far, far away.

**THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS**

Around 30 years after the defeat of the Empire, Luke Skywalker is missing and the sinister First Order is formed, with the mission to destroy Luke, the Republic and the Republic-funded Resistance. On the desert planet Jakku, a stormtrooper (John Boyega) starts questioning his mission and purpose following a massacre. At the same time and in the same place, scavenger Rey (Daisy Ridley) is surviving and waiting for an elusive something, for a day when she can have more than scraps to look forward to. When the two meet and join forces with an intrepid mechanical ally, a new adventure starts...

Abrams's brilliance lies in his talent to preserve the spirit of any original narrative. He did it with Star Trek and he is doing it here. He does not decide to turn the playful into serious or make the action somber because it might be trendy (I am looking at you, Fantastic Four). With Star Wars, Abrams keeps employing the charm and humor that made the original trilogy the classic that it is, injects heroism that is much needed for the continuation of the story and creates some impressive and innovative action sequences.    

And then there is Rey. What else can be said? I love Rey. A beautiful heroine, she is fearless yet human. When Finn grabs her hand as they run from an attack, she is baffled. When he attempts to rescue her from assailants, he is too late; she has already taken care of business. Starving and yearning for anything better, she does not trade a newfound friend for food when she gets the opportunity. Fierce, resourceful and independent, she always saves herself, but knows her limits and knows when to accept help. Her courage and integrity make her who she is -- a woman that Star Wars needed and a figure to reinvigorate the themes of the franchise. This is a character for the ages and the best female character in recent years.

The cast is excellent. Ridley and Boyega's joy is apparent in their lively performances. Ridley makes Rey nothing short of a role model, and Boyega takes Finn's pre-planned life, shatters it and creates a man who puts away blind obedience for unquestioned bravery. The two have wonderful, mischievous chemistry and I admire the fact that the 'love interest' issue is not in the cards, at least not immediately -- a lesser filmmaker might have explored it for its own sake. Adam Driver's Kylo Ren is a sadistic villain with a fascinating background, destined to become iconic, particularly after THAT lightsaber fight. Domhnall Gleeson oozes sleaze as General Hux, one of the main orchestrators of destruction. Gwendoline Christie's Captain Phasma does not have much screen time, unfortunately, but the actor makes it count. Phasma is a zealous and domineering First Order officer, and Christie's regal voice perfectly conveys the character's lack of emotion through the chrome armor. Lupita Nyong'o radiates power and authority through her subtle acting style as former pirate and smuggler Maz Kanata and Oscar Isaac is terrific as a virtuous Resistance fighter pilot. Last and certainly not least, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher get back to their characters seamlessly, as one would expect. The screenplay manages to track Han Solo and General Leia's evolution without us having seen their lives unfolding since Return of the Jedi, combining their earned maturity with their timeless connection. Special mention goes to Ben Schwartz and Bill Hader who provide the voice for BB-8, a delightful tiny soul with a big personality. 

Star Wars: The Force Awakens is a clever, entertaining and affecting addition to the series. Right after the film ended, I wanted to watch the next installment and see where it would take us. I laughed, I cried, I empathized and, above all, I was deeply moved. Hats off to Mr. George Lucas for creating this beautiful world and hats off to Mr. Abrams for achieving the impossible and continuing the legacy.

10/10