Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens - directed by JJ Abrams
** spoiler free**
Starring: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Oscar Isaac, Domhnall Gleeson, Adam Driver, Gwendoline Christie, Peter Mayhew, Lupita Nyong'o, Andy Serkis, Kenny Baker, Billie Lourd, Anthony Daniels, Greg Grunberg, Max von Sydow, Warwick Davis, Ken Leung
Running Time: 136 minutes
Rated: M - Violence in line with Episodes V and III
As I write this I have seen this film twice.
First was the New Zealand Premiere, second the midnight screening a couple of hours later.
And I am glad that this is the case because I needed two viewings to get my thoughts in order.
On first viewing I rode a rollercoaster of thoughts and opinions as the film played out.
This is Star Wars and there are some old favourites in the character department but nonetheless there are far more strangers than familiar faces and the locations are all entirely new.
It takes a little while (and more than one screening it seems) to be able to fully form an opinion.
What is apparent within ten or fifteen minutes is that there is nothing to worry about at all- this franchise is in safe hands with new owners Disney.
Anyone who even remotely considers themselves a Star Wars fan will know what I am getting at here.
Ever since the prequels arrived there has been in my opinion a lop-sided view of the series.
People are happy to bag Jar Jar Binks while completely forgetting the awfulness of the Ewoks.
They will talk of how whiny Anakin is but give the young Luke Skywalker a free pass in the moaning like a little bitch realm.
Bad dialogue is savagely ridiculed in episodes 1-3 but treated as classic quote material in 4-6.
Personally I like the prequels - faults and all.
But there is no denying that in many ways they sit uncomfortably next to the first trilogy.
An over-reliance on computer generated effects and a plot-wise totally irrelevant first episode are definitely issues that made some people say that the prequels should be disregarded.
And that makes the arrival of the first in a new batch of films exciting for sure but it comes with a little nagging worry too.
Will this new film 'feel' like the real deal or should it too be cast aside as a pure cash in?
Worry not - this is seriously the real deal.
From the moment the villainous Kylo Ren appears it is clear that the magic is well and truly back.
Everything just seems 'right'.
Not once did I feel that something felt wrong or out of place- this is truly the good old Star Wars universe that we know and love.
Having the original cast back is a huge leg up but let's not take anything away from Lawrence Kasdan and co's script and the direction of JJ Abrams.
The return of Han Solo as a grey haired septuagenarian 30 years after "Return of the Jedi" had the potential to illicit groans but in both screenings I attended there was clear delight expressed from the audiences.
His and Chewie's entrance resulted in a roar of delight from the premiere crowd.
This older version seems exactly like what Han Solo would be like after so long.
There have been some changes but they too feel right.
Harrison Ford looks like he is enjoying playing the character too. He gets a lot of screen-time and easily the bulk of the laughs.
Yes- this is actually a very funny movie.
There are frequently laugh out loud quips and references to previous events.
It isn't overdone though and a dark tone is maintained throughout.
The greatest risk to tone is with the newcomers.
Get it wrong and you end up with Jar Jar - get it right and you end up with..... actually Rey.
Daisy Ridley as desert scavenger Rey is likely to be the breakout star.
She plays the part with great confidence and gets it just right.
She is an immensely, instantly likeable character. It is a performance of enormous charisma and considerable charm.
Like many (if not all) of the new characters Rey has secrets - many of which won't be completely explored in this episode.
She is an incredibly strong character and we are reminded frequently that she doesn't need to be taken care of - least of all by a male character. Her first scenes with Finn (an excellent John Boyega) feature a hand holding riff that is not only funny but points to events late in the film.
Ridley has a clear connection with Ford and their scenes together represent some of best character moments in the film.
I was surprised to find myself liking Rey most of all -even more than Han Solo or Chewbacca or even the other standout newbie- the droid BB-8.
You will undoubtedly have seen this guy before.
BB-8 is the spherical droid with the tiny head atop that rolls everywhere and despite a complete lack of expressive elements like arms, legs or effectively a face manages to brim with character and expressiveness.
Expect a surge in sales of both Mattel's and Sphero's remote controlled BB-8 Droids in the days following the release of The Force Awakens.
He/she/it is a remarkable character.
Kylo Ren- the Vader worshipping villain is also likely to become a favourite with audiences.
His mask and broadsword lightsabre are already iconic.
It is to Adam Drivers credit that even when the mask is off and the sabre nowhere in sight that Kylo Ren is still intimidating and well.... kinda cool.
Driver doesn't put a foot wrong in portraying him. Impressive given the sheer number of moments that could have gone so wrong with a poor decision in the performance.
You'll know these moments when you see them - there are several and Driver nails each and every one.
This is a character with at least one major secret and everything about him is intriguing.
His goals and his past are only partly revealed and as this new trilogy plays out I look forward to more being shared about the history.
Story is the key element and again everything is just right with The Force Awakens.
The script manages to provide a fast paced ride with twists and turns that satisfies completely even as it leaves much up in the air for the next two films to deal with.
And that is just fine with me.
I cannot wait to see how this franchise plays out.
If Episode VIII does what V did in following a first movie we are in for a hell of a treat in a couple of years.
In the meantime it is hard to say too much for fear of spoiling anything but rest assured that all of the big questions that had been bandied around after the release of each new trailer or tv spot are answered or at least addressed to a degree.
The action is also highly satisfying.
I mean it's X-Wings and TIE Fighters and lightsabres.... these things are inherently entertaining.
Anything involving the Millennium Falcon is incredible but the TIE fighter chase through the desert is clearly the jewel in the crown.
It is hard to recommend this movie enough.... not that I need to. You already know if you are going to see it.
The question is more - how many times is it worth seeing?
For me as a huge Star Wars fan- a lot.
It is exactly what Star Wars fans have been asking for but is destined to make millions of new fans for the series.
Every performance is great, the largely physical effects are terrific and of course John Williams score is every bit as good as you would hope.
In particular the theme played during Rey's introduction is a gem.
A gently melodic piece that still manages moments of orchestral impact it is the standout work in a score that builds on familiar tunes all while finding new emotion in them.
And if you are wondering if you should attend a 3D session - you absolutely should.
The post conversion is very good and there is one shot of a star destroyer that alone justifies the extar couple of bucks.
I happily walked out of the first screening tonight in the knowledge that I would see it again two and a half hours later.
When I did I found that I enjoyed it even more.
I cannot wait to see it again and I cannot wait for the next part - there is so much set up here and my mind is clogged with speculative thoughts as to what happens next.
"Star Wars Episode VII The Force Awakens" is terrific blockbuster entertainment that is sure to appeal to everyone between the ages of 2 and 102 and it will make a lot of money.
A lot.
It earns and deserves every penny.
I can think of no higher praise than to say that this film made me feel many of the things that I felt as a ten year old seeing the very first film almost forty years ago.
RATING: 94/ 100
CONCLUSION: Have no fear- this is the genuine article and just what the doctor ordered as a franchise restarter. Funny, exciting, twist laden and action packed it is the epitome of big screen blockbuster. Damned excellent.
** spoiler free**
Running Time: 136 minutes
Rated: M - Violence in line with Episodes V and III
As I write this I have seen this film twice.
First was the New Zealand Premiere, second the midnight screening a couple of hours later.
And I am glad that this is the case because I needed two viewings to get my thoughts in order.
On first viewing I rode a rollercoaster of thoughts and opinions as the film played out.
This is Star Wars and there are some old favourites in the character department but nonetheless there are far more strangers than familiar faces and the locations are all entirely new.
It takes a little while (and more than one screening it seems) to be able to fully form an opinion.
What is apparent within ten or fifteen minutes is that there is nothing to worry about at all- this franchise is in safe hands with new owners Disney.
Anyone who even remotely considers themselves a Star Wars fan will know what I am getting at here.
Ever since the prequels arrived there has been in my opinion a lop-sided view of the series.
People are happy to bag Jar Jar Binks while completely forgetting the awfulness of the Ewoks.
They will talk of how whiny Anakin is but give the young Luke Skywalker a free pass in the moaning like a little bitch realm.
Bad dialogue is savagely ridiculed in episodes 1-3 but treated as classic quote material in 4-6.
Personally I like the prequels - faults and all.
But there is no denying that in many ways they sit uncomfortably next to the first trilogy.
An over-reliance on computer generated effects and a plot-wise totally irrelevant first episode are definitely issues that made some people say that the prequels should be disregarded.
And that makes the arrival of the first in a new batch of films exciting for sure but it comes with a little nagging worry too.
Will this new film 'feel' like the real deal or should it too be cast aside as a pure cash in?
 |
| Daisy Ridley as Rey - a star making turn of great charm and charisma |
From the moment the villainous Kylo Ren appears it is clear that the magic is well and truly back.
Everything just seems 'right'.
Not once did I feel that something felt wrong or out of place- this is truly the good old Star Wars universe that we know and love.
Having the original cast back is a huge leg up but let's not take anything away from Lawrence Kasdan and co's script and the direction of JJ Abrams.
The return of Han Solo as a grey haired septuagenarian 30 years after "Return of the Jedi" had the potential to illicit groans but in both screenings I attended there was clear delight expressed from the audiences.
His and Chewie's entrance resulted in a roar of delight from the premiere crowd.
This older version seems exactly like what Han Solo would be like after so long.
There have been some changes but they too feel right.
Harrison Ford looks like he is enjoying playing the character too. He gets a lot of screen-time and easily the bulk of the laughs.
Yes- this is actually a very funny movie.
There are frequently laugh out loud quips and references to previous events.
It isn't overdone though and a dark tone is maintained throughout.
 |
| BB-8... a brilliant new character guaranteed to be a favourite |
Get it wrong and you end up with Jar Jar - get it right and you end up with..... actually Rey.
Daisy Ridley as desert scavenger Rey is likely to be the breakout star.
She plays the part with great confidence and gets it just right.
She is an immensely, instantly likeable character. It is a performance of enormous charisma and considerable charm.
Like many (if not all) of the new characters Rey has secrets - many of which won't be completely explored in this episode.
She is an incredibly strong character and we are reminded frequently that she doesn't need to be taken care of - least of all by a male character. Her first scenes with Finn (an excellent John Boyega) feature a hand holding riff that is not only funny but points to events late in the film.
Ridley has a clear connection with Ford and their scenes together represent some of best character moments in the film.
I was surprised to find myself liking Rey most of all -even more than Han Solo or Chewbacca or even the other standout newbie- the droid BB-8.
You will undoubtedly have seen this guy before.
BB-8 is the spherical droid with the tiny head atop that rolls everywhere and despite a complete lack of expressive elements like arms, legs or effectively a face manages to brim with character and expressiveness.
Expect a surge in sales of both Mattel's and Sphero's remote controlled BB-8 Droids in the days following the release of The Force Awakens.
He/she/it is a remarkable character.
Kylo Ren- the Vader worshipping villain is also likely to become a favourite with audiences.
His mask and broadsword lightsabre are already iconic.
It is to Adam Drivers credit that even when the mask is off and the sabre nowhere in sight that Kylo Ren is still intimidating and well.... kinda cool.
Driver doesn't put a foot wrong in portraying him. Impressive given the sheer number of moments that could have gone so wrong with a poor decision in the performance.
You'll know these moments when you see them - there are several and Driver nails each and every one.
This is a character with at least one major secret and everything about him is intriguing.
His goals and his past are only partly revealed and as this new trilogy plays out I look forward to more being shared about the history.
 |
| Han Solo and Chewbacca |
The script manages to provide a fast paced ride with twists and turns that satisfies completely even as it leaves much up in the air for the next two films to deal with.
And that is just fine with me.
I cannot wait to see how this franchise plays out.
If Episode VIII does what V did in following a first movie we are in for a hell of a treat in a couple of years.
In the meantime it is hard to say too much for fear of spoiling anything but rest assured that all of the big questions that had been bandied around after the release of each new trailer or tv spot are answered or at least addressed to a degree.
The action is also highly satisfying.
I mean it's X-Wings and TIE Fighters and lightsabres.... these things are inherently entertaining.
Anything involving the Millennium Falcon is incredible but the TIE fighter chase through the desert is clearly the jewel in the crown.
It is hard to recommend this movie enough.... not that I need to. You already know if you are going to see it.
The question is more - how many times is it worth seeing?
For me as a huge Star Wars fan- a lot.
 |
| Kylo Ren |
Every performance is great, the largely physical effects are terrific and of course John Williams score is every bit as good as you would hope.
In particular the theme played during Rey's introduction is a gem.
A gently melodic piece that still manages moments of orchestral impact it is the standout work in a score that builds on familiar tunes all while finding new emotion in them.
And if you are wondering if you should attend a 3D session - you absolutely should.
The post conversion is very good and there is one shot of a star destroyer that alone justifies the extar couple of bucks.
I happily walked out of the first screening tonight in the knowledge that I would see it again two and a half hours later.
When I did I found that I enjoyed it even more.
I cannot wait to see it again and I cannot wait for the next part - there is so much set up here and my mind is clogged with speculative thoughts as to what happens next.
"Star Wars Episode VII The Force Awakens" is terrific blockbuster entertainment that is sure to appeal to everyone between the ages of 2 and 102 and it will make a lot of money.
A lot.
It earns and deserves every penny.
I can think of no higher praise than to say that this film made me feel many of the things that I felt as a ten year old seeing the very first film almost forty years ago.
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