Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens

I exited my completely jam packed showing of The Force Awakens, the seventh "Episode" in the epic Star Wars franchise, in a bit of a down mood. 

Was that everything I had hoped for? Was it everything I had dreamed it would be? 

I've always been a decently big fan of the series (yes, even the prequels...except maybe Attack of the Clones), so my anticipation was high. So when I felt this way, almost a sense of disappointment, I didn't quite know what the deal was. 

As I drove home, I reminisced about what I didn't like about the film. The critic in me got its wheels turning and I got to about two cons, and realized they were borderline nitpicks. Then, without even telling my mind to go there, all the fun, laughter, and amazement I had just partaken in rushed back, flooding me with a realization: 

I wasn't disappointed. I wasn't even in a "down" mood. 

I was blown away. And apparently having a delayed reaction to it. 

After all the anticipation, all the secrecy, all the hype, and all the worry, Star Wars: The Force Awakens is a lot of things, but the most important of which? 

A triumph. 

Cue loud audience cheers....and hoots...and hollers...

Often I begin my reviews with some of the things I didn't like about the film, but I'd like to break away before doing so and applaud Disney for the marketing behind The Force Awakens. THIS is how a film should be sold to audiences. Free of secrets and full of mystery. As the film began I quickly realized that this was the first major blockbuster in ages that I truly had no idea what was going to happen. The trailers gave very few clues to piece together, and having now seen the film, they're practically misleading. Sometimes we as audiences are so eager and demanding to see new material and gather knowledge on a film that it's halfway ruined for us by the time we actually sit our butts down to see it. I know I'm guilty of this as much as anyone which is why it felt so refreshing, and foreign, watching this one. It was sold to me as an adventure that I should go on, but with very little info. And I also applaud Abrams and the whole cast and crew for keeping probably the tightest lid on this sucker that I've ever seen a film have. I think a lot of people in my theater appreciated it too because the tension and anticipation was almost palpable. We all knew what the prequel trilogy would result in with the creation of Vader, so this is truly the first Star Wars story we've never known since the original trilogy from before when I was born. The fact that I walked in as excited as ever, but blind as a bat was a feeling I'd love to feel more when I go to the movies. 

Daisy Ridley: running right into the
hearts of millions

There were a few "surprises" I didn't enjoy however and I think you'll see why I stopped myself in the car as I thought them through in my head. One is a nitpick and the other has a little more substance to it, but is still rather narrow minded. Personally, lightsabers are probably my favorite thing in the entire Star Wars universe. So complaint #1: I wish there would have been more lightsaber fights in the film or that the main one would have been a few minutes longer. Complaint #2: the film has a few too many scenes (one of which is the pivotal moment in the film -- don't worry no spoilers), that rely too heavily in the past for inspiration. I appreciated all the fan service and call backs -- it's actually one of the strengths of the film -- but a few scenes felt too forced in their historic execution for my liking. 

That's it. I think if I really dug deeper I could cite a few other things, but the simple fact that they aren't coming readily to the forefront is indicator enough to me that they're probably minute issues as well. 

The Force Awakens has so much going for it, it's difficult to know where to start. I think my favorite part is just the fact that it feels classic upon it's first viewing. This feels like you're back somewhere familiar with characters you've known a lifetime. And some you have. Harrison Ford falls back into the Han Solo role easily, as does everyone else who reprises the characters that made them. More surprising though is how natural all the new players felt. Oscar Isaac fits right at home as the confident, swagger-filled Poe Dameron. John Boyega acts up the fish-out-of-water scenario excellently as Finn too and delivers some of the film's heartier laughs. Truly though, I found that the film belonged to three people. Or well...two people and one thing. BB-8 is the newest droid in the universe and has what might be the funniest scene, but also an endearing heart much like R2-D2. I refuse to believe that BB-8 will be s**t on in later years like other, now infamous, characters and if it ends up that way, then the world is really too cruel a place. Not to mention, the nerd in me was completely fascinated by the technology around that practical prop. Second would be Adam Driver as Kylo Ren. I'll be careful here as I vow to never spoil anything, but his villain is conflicted and the design (both visual and audio) is stellar. Lastly is complete newcomer Daisy Ridley, who before this film, had a virtually non-existent IMDb page. Not only did she steal my heart, but she's probably the single strongest/best/most iconic female protagonist of the new millennium. A bold claim, sure, but much like Imperator Furiousa from earlier in the year, Rey is not a character that any of us are likely soon to forget. 

Probably the best flying scene of all seven films.

Iconic characters? Too soon to tell,
but I'll lean toward "Yes".
Plus I'm in love with Daisy so...

I was also grateful for the time, money, and effort that Disney/J.J. Abrams spent on making this film practical. There are tons of special effects in it and they all look fantastic; easily some of the best this year if not the outright best. But there were also a lot of large sets, real explosions, real ships, real alien characters, etc. that helped bring the film to life just that little bit more. I come back to the example of BB-8. They could have easily made him a completely CG character. It probably would have been easier in all honesty and the audience wouldn't have noticed that often. Instead they crafted a physical robot for that extra bit of magical realism. There are examples of that all throughout the film and it all adds up to be an impressive feat that is much appreciated. Past the visual effects, there's also some phenomenal sound work here too between the screams of the TIE fighters, the whooshes of blast doors, that iconic hum of a lightsaber, and of course John Williams' timeless original score. 

To say too much about the story would be a disservice to anyone reading. It's here where I felt like the film relied a bit too heavily on past beats, but that doesn't make them "bad" beats. In fact, for as much as the story borrows, it also feels drastically new in many ways. It's a bit unfortunate that some characters get less screen time than others, but as this is the start of a new trilogy, that's bound to happen. Since I refuse to discuss the plot, I'll focus on the film's main highlights before wrapping up. The action is constant, but often justified and necessary. While I could have used a little more lightsaber, the film has flying scenes in spades, most of which are some of the best the series has ever seen. The camera is often tight on the rearend of whatever ship we're following and it makes for some intense, roller-coaster-esque sequences that are thrilling and elicit cheers from the audience. That's good because it gives them time to take a break from laughing as The Force Awakens is the funniest Star Wars to date. A lot of the jokes are a bit "inside", yes. They may go over newcomers' heads. But more than a fair amount of them are genuinely funny without being a geeky reference and the film's top laughs are all out gut-busters. It's odd to say but in a year light on comedy, The Force Awakens is probably one of the funniest of the year. Who woulda thunk?

Kylo Ren is actually a dance god and that's his rave stick.

Writing this review has been a lot of fun mainly because it flowed so naturally. Seeing Star Wars: The Force Awakens with several good friends tonight will be a memory I will have with me for a very long time. It was a magic in the theater that I haven't felt in a good long while and I'm still a bit shocked that it took a bit to hit me. I've just seen the new Star Wars...was not a thought many of us foretold having anytime soon, but now many have which is kind of crazy to think about. And it's part of the reason that I've given the score I did. 

I'm not giving The Force Awakens a perfect score out of first-night-showing hype. 

I'm not giving a 10/10 so I can claim I wasn't disappointed to those who've had to listen to me hype it up for weeks now. 

It's not getting the "Instant Classic" label because it's perfect. It's not. It's close, but it's not. 

I'm giving it my highest honors because after the hype, anticipation, and eagerness, it has earned that score. Met with some of the loftiest expectations for a film ever, it has met and even surpassed them, all while expertly checking so many boxes that fans demanded of it.

A whole new generation is going to be into Star Wars. The entirety of the old generation will be able to relive their glory days. And this amateur critic, who exists somewhere between the old and the new, was able to create a memory that someday I'll tell my kids about (with Daisy Ridley as my wife obviously), hopefully when they're seeing a new Star Wars film just as special as this one, 

"I saw The Force Awakens on opening night, kids. And it was magical."  

CONS:

• I wanted more lightsaber battles
• A few scenes and plot points rely too heavily on the original trilogy's structure
• Several characters get sidelined

PROS:

• Truly great cast from both the old characters and the new. Everyone introduced seems to fit into this universe like a glove
• BB-8 is an amazing practical effect and an equally as amazing character
• Adam Driver's Kylo Ren is a great, mysterious villain who looks and sounds menacing
• Daisy Ridley...your life is about to change. Rey is probably the film's most iconic new character and her performance is a lot of the reason why
• Strong script and story to kick off the new trilogy
• John Williams original score is basically flawless
• A well woven blend of special effects (amazing) and practical effects (equally as impressive). Seeing the large sets and explosions and creatures definitely adds that magic 
• Each action scene was really cool in some way, shape, or form
• Unexpectedly hilarious. Even for those not familiar with some of the inside jokes, there are plenty of laughs to go around
• Nostalgic enough to appeal to older fans and get them on board, but also frighteningly new. There are several directions the new trilogy could go, but I really have no idea what it could be
• The marketing and advertising, while maybe overboard with endorsements, was expertly crafted in not revealing a single key piece of info. Brilliantly done and one of the quiet, but largest, triumphs of the film
• Speaking of triumphs, I hope J.J. Abrams and his creative team get drunk this weekend and take a load off. They've certainly earned it
• Astoundingly, it lives up to and arguably surpasses the hype. It's incredibly fun, but also a well crafted film in many different regards

Rath's Review Score: 

10/10 -- Instant Classic