"A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away..." Never knew that this day would come after watching the original and prequel trilogies (along with the Clone Wars and Rebels animated shows) on DVDs at least about countless times and remembering the exact scenes that ended up being a lot more memorable than other big franchises like The Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter. But with new heroes, new villains, new droids, and even new vehicles, the Star Wars universe has gotten even bigger the moment Disney bought Lucasfilm 3 years ago after suffering a $200 million loss from the failed sci-fi franchise starter John Carter. The characters that I have already gotten to know prior to my first viewing of The Force Awakens are Rey, Finn, BB-8, Poe Dameron, Captain Phasma, and Kylo Ren. Except that there was SO MANY new characters that, hilariously, I haven't been able to instantly remember the names (minus Supreme Leader Snoke and Maz Kanata) except the main new ones as well as the old! Director J.J. Abrams, whose film credits include Mission: Impossible III, Star Trek and Super 8, has certainly brought back something that made the original Star Wars trilogy the greatest blockbuster movie franchise of all time, by not relying on the overuse of CGI (by using a lot of practical effects, as it should be!) and actually making the dialogue not too cringeworthy like in the prequels. However, I do think that there are some questionable flaws (but not in a hurtful way, mind you) that probably should not have made fans completely nitpicky with when it was supposed to be an amazing return to a very iconic franchise. But at least it wasn't a lousy nostalgic comeback in a disrespectful way like Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull or Terminator Genisys. Though it has a plot that feels kinda familiar with the very first movie that came out nearly 40 years ago and doesn't quite reach the heights of The Empire Strikes Back ("I am your father!"), which I know is the "best Star Wars movie ever."
Now for the spoilers, but those of you who have seen the movie are free to read some things that I learn and what could have been better. The opening scene with the massacre on the Jakku villagers left by the First Order Stormtroopers commanded by Kylo Ren was nothing like the action that I have seen before. Shame that Max von Sydow was killed instantly by Ren after handing over the piece of information of Luke Skywalker's whereabouts to Resistance pilot Poe Dameron. I thought that he would have such a huge role in the movie. Rey, the scavenger with an unknown history except that she was left behind on the planet Jakku. The actress Daisy Ridley playing her is actually very beautiful, way more than Natalie Portman, but it's gonna take some getting used to for a newcomer. Former Stormtrooper Finn, played a young black actor seems to pull it off in a decent way albeit only good at making funny one-liners and acts like he's the young Han Solo hence the attitude. But Kylo Ren, wow, he is definitely the movie villain of 2015 for me! I was surprised to learn that he is actually the son (named "Ben") of Han Solo and Leia Organa, which makes the latter's twin brother Luke his uncle and Darth Vader his "grandfather" hence his obsession with the fallen Jedi/Sith Lord. Love how he gets angry and throws out tantrum by slashing with his deadly and uniquely designed lightsaber, which makes him seemingly more dangerous than the other Sith Lords. I am however shocked that Kylo Ren killed his own father just when Han was about to talk some sense into him. There goes another one of the favorite Star Wars characters that kept the franchise going after Obi-Wan, Yoda, and Vader. May Han Solo be forever missed. Least Harrison Ford had a good run; better than how his return in Indy 4 turned out. Captain Phasma, played by the badass Gwendoline Christie from Game of Thrones, although an intimidating female Stormtrooper captain deserve some more recognition and not be immediately put aside like Boba Fett or Darth Maul. You know, her last scene that includes the trash compactor joke. But we should at least expect to see her again if she's signed up for #8! The lightsaber duel with Kylo Ren was very intense! Never have I seen such brutality, compared to the original/prequel lightsaber duels, as Ren severely wounded Finn before facing off with Rey (who now appears to be Force-sensitive!) holding Anakin/Luke's old Jedi lightsaber! Now to talk about... Luke Skywalker! 'Cept he's an old man like Obi-Wan Kenobi now. However, I would think that his appearance in The Force Awakens could have been more than just a teasing cameo. I wouldn't say that I was "let down" like everyone were from what I heard, but I think it was intended that way since his journey as a Jedi was already completed. But I look forward to see his expanded role in Episode 8 in two years now that we've lost Han Solo!
Having finished my fall semester at George Mason University with an A for aesthetics, an A- for digital printmaking, a B for editorial magazine design and a B+ for motion design, I'm glad that watching the new Star Wars movie was worth it while I still enjoyed the original three a lot more! Even though my parents and my sister are right now having their own problems to deal with after we finished the movie last night. But thank goodness that it wasn't as convoluted or underwhelming like The Phantom Menace or Attack of the Clones! Too bad J.J. Abrams will not be directing the next film, as the last two will instead be directed by Looper's Rian Johnson and Jurassic World's Colin Trevarrow. I do hope that they live up to the latest installment that's already breaking a LOT of box office records and may possibly beat James Cameron's Avatar (the sequel trilogy (too little too late?) may be out starting in Dec 2017) as the highest-grossing movie of all time! May the Force be with us!
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