Star Wars: The Force Awakens has the monumental task of bringing together old fans of the original trilogy as well as bringing the legacy of Star Wars to an entirely new generation. With the eagerly anticipated seventh episode of the Star Wars series now being released to theaters, one has to wonder if it can live up to and achieve these incredibly lofty tasks.
I am happy to report that despite a few missteps, the Force Awakens is indeed a return to form and presents an exciting future for the rest of the new trilogy.
The Force Awakens picks up 30 years after Return of the Jedi and we are quickly shown that the happy ending of Jedi didn't appear to last very long with remnants of the old Galactic Empire now called the First Order quietly building up their legions of armies and loyal white-clad Stormtroopers to crush the New Republic and those who oppose them (the former Rebel Alliance now called the Resistance)
The story begins much like A New Hope began, with a hidden message being planted in droid with dashing pilot Poe Dameron (played by Oscar Isaac ) desperately on the run from First Order leaders, the chrome armored Captain Phasma ( Game of Throne's Gwendolyn Christie) and the cross lightsaber wielding Kylo Ren ( Adam Driver). Soon, BB-8, the rolling soccer ball droid (voiced by both Ben Schwartz and Bill Hader) encounters the scavenger Rey ( Daisy Ridley) and both are thrust into an adventure that bring them together with a defecting Stormtrooper trying to outrun his past (John Boyega) and old returning Star Wars alumnus Han Solo and Chewbacca ( Harrison Ford and Peter Mayhew) as they begin their search for the key required to bring the galaxy back together.
If this plot sounds familiar, that's because you have most likely heard of it before with many plot points being reused and reimagined throughout the film's runtime. While there is plenty new and exciting to offer there are a lot of familiar ground and tropes that bring up a strong sense of deja vu. Part of this seems to have been done on purpose in an attempt to please the old die-hards while another seems to be set up as building blocks, setting up the world and characters for a new generation of fans to embrace.
While this may come off as a negative it is in only the slightest sense. The rest of what is on display is the essence of Star Wars to its core. There are epic space battles featuring classic spaceships, there are lightsaber duels, there are evil figures lurking in the shadows (played by an imposing Andy Serkis), there are armies with seemingly unlimited power led by cold and calculating generals (About Time's Domhnall Gleeson), there are alien creatures wise beyond their years (12 Years a Slave's Lupita Nyong'o) there are super weapons that can wipe out a planet in the blink of an eye, it's all here and all Star Wars.
The cast is also one of the strongest elements to this movie with newcomers Ridley and Boyega creating an immediately likable duo as they form a relationship that creates a strong and fun dynamic reminiscent of the classic trilogy. Issac comes across as a suave and dashing pilot who's carefree attitude and daredevil life approach to flying spaceships instantly recalls memories of classic Han Solo. Driver plays a young villain filled with rage who barely has it under control, capable of going off into a destructive rage at a moment's notice and building the foundation of what will hopefully be intense hatred for our main heroes.
Speaking of Han, Harrison Ford's role as an older and even scruffier Solo is a highlight for old fans with the old rogue smuggler we all know and love easily slipping back into the role and bringing that balanced mix of cynicism and light-heartedness not seen since Return of the Jedi. To see Ford rock the role as Han nearly thirty years later and at the same time interact with the new guard of Star Wars characters is pure fan service to fans and creates a cool mentor/teacher role for newer fans.
The rest of the old cast, Carrie Fisher (now called General Leia). Anthony Daniels as C-3PO, Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca and Mark Hamil as Luke Skywalker also serve their roles well despite not sharing nearly enough screen time as Ford. While their cameos are entirely too brief for older fans, they serve a purpose to the overall story and serve as the bridge between the old and new generation.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens is not the Star Wars to beat the original Star Wars flicks, but is an immensely entertaining entry into the series and worthy successor to the Star Wars name. As I write this, I can't wait to see it again as well as share it with friends and family. Despite the small flaws and despite the nitpicks, Star Wars is back in full force (pun intended) and I have never been happier or more excited to be a fan.