By John Mossey | Editor-in-Chief
Courtesy photo / flickr.com/David_Eckelman
I might receive some slack for this, but this movie was not all it was hyped up to be. Was it good? Absolutely. Easily one of the best Star Wars films ever. But why wasn’t it great? Well, here’s the thing: not even including the fact that this movie followed a very similar formula that Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope had, this movie’s storyline was dull and predictable. J.J. Abrams did an excellent job reviving the Star Wars series, but the story was his greatest (and only) fault.
Despite a boring storyline however, it was the characters and the Star Wars universe that helped this movie shine. Anyone fan of Star Wars will instantly feel at home with the familiar droid sounds and starship noises; the foreign aliens and planets; a well done replica of the Mos Eisley Cantina and the returning designs of the X-Wings and Tie Fighters, both of which received slight upgrades and visual enhancements.
New and upcoming actors and actress Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, and Adam Driver join the veterans of the series: Harrison Ford (Han Solo), Carrie Fisher (Leia Skywalker), Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca), and Anthony Daniels (C-3P0). The classic character we know and love really shined on the big screen again, and what a true pleasure it was to see all their returns. However, there is a reason for their return: the veterans are paving the way for the newcomers, showing them the ropes if you will, and are helping the audience get to know the new characters and to make them feel welcome. It was a brilliant idea on JJ Abrams part to include the old characters, but not to put a huge emphasis on them.
The movie is full of subtle references to the older movies, and takes steps to stand out from the other six. A new lightsaber design is introduced, and boy oh boy is that lightsaber mean and nasty. The new villain, Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), is the wielder of this fierce new weapon. The plasmatic sound of this lightsaber is easily as intimidating as the fresh design. Also included is a new class of Stormtrooper; a Stormtrooper who wields a melee weapon that can deflect the attacks of a lightsaber. Watching one of these new Stormtroopers was quite engaging as no Star Wars fan has ever seen a Stormtrooper go up against a lightsaber with such determination and ferocity.
My favorite portion of the movie was the intense lightsaber duel towards the finale of the film. I won’t say names to prevent spoilers, but this lightsaber duel is easily the most brutal duel in all of Star Wars movies. Where it lacked the emotion between the two duelists, it added brutality in the wounds inflicted and the force powers used. The sounds of the lightsaber clashing was a classic and comfortable sound that any fan would be proud of. I’m glad they decided to include blood in this movie because in all actuality, lightsabers are going to draw blood when a wound is inflicted.
One aspect of this movie that I particularly enjoyed was the comic relief spewed throughout the movie. Not only was it fresh and actually funny, but a lot of the humor and jokes being made were concerning references only Star Wars fans could appreciate and enjoy and this helped build a comradery in the theater. And on the subject of the theater atmosphere, it was easily the best atmosphere I’ve been in for a movie before. Everyone was excited and thrilled and when STAR WARS came up on the black screen with the classic John Williams theme, the whole theater was clapping and cheering and I simply couldn’t help but join in. Star Wars is back, and despite some flaws, it’s better than ever.
It’s not the best movie of 2015, but it is still a damn good movie that any Star Wars fan can appreciate. I was afraid that Disney would soften the movie up since acquiring the rights, but am happy to say that this is not the case. Though there are lots of comic relief portions, there are some dark and brutal elements too and the addition of blood was a welcome addition. All in all, Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens gets a 4 out of 5.
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