So I finally saw Star Wars: The Force Awakens yesterday. Turns out lining up a time when I could see it with my family took longer than expected. But I've never minded being late to the party. And talk about a magical way to spend a Christmas morning. By far, it was better than munching on that gross fruity holiday breakfast bread, at least.
I might as well jot down my impressions, now that I've had a night to let them settle. Altogether it was a strong showing for everyone involved. Disney put the first post-Lucas Star Wars film in good hands with director J.J. Abraham and Star Wars scribe Lawrence Kasdan. Most new and returning actors gave strong performances, and the film mixed stunning practical effects with (mostly) unobtrusive CGI.
The plot bounced forward a little too briskly and character development felt a bit superficial at times. Surprisingly, not enough scenes were spent establishing the current political situation in the galaxy far, far away. But the narrative hit all the right notes. Sure, there were points when certain characters met up that felt too convenient. But when we're talking about a film universe where a mystical energy force binds everyone together, I can forgive some contrivances.
Those were the broadest general opinions I could share. Now it's time to enter the spoiler zone. Needless to say, turn back if you haven't seen the film yet.
First, I have four words for the movie's climax. Best. Lightsaber. Fight. Ever. That's my initial gut reaction, at least. New villain Kylo Ren's faceoff against Rey and Finn captured the same raw emotions seen in the Original Trilogy's bouts. It felt real. No fake overdone choreography reared its ugly head. Combatants didn't twirl illogically like hyperactive ballerinas. Instead, there was the right mix of gritty swordsmanship and Jedi finesse.
It was also a smart fight. Pitting inexperienced heroes against a trained opponent usually stretches plausibility in movies. But in this case, Rey and Finn went up against an already-injured Kylo Ren, thanks to a well-placed bowcaster shot from Chewbacca. Narratively, the fight brought all three opening character arcs to satisfying conclusions. Strong-willed Rey found her new calling as a Force user. Finn took on the villainous symbol of the First Order he had rebelled against. Kylo Ren's slipped further into his villainous role. And all of it took place on the frozen surface of a collapsing planet. Awesome stuff.
Kylo Ren won me over as an intimidating, yet inexperienced villain. As the son of Han Solo and Leia Organa, he spend most of the movie trying to live up to his villainous grandfather, Darth Vader. He mimics the former Sith Lord's black-robed appearance and even keeps his burnt mask as a memento. Between his temper tantrums and doubts, he clearly hasn't fully gotten his feet as a bad guy. The Force Awakens cements his fall to the dark side. We don't yet know why he turned against his parents and master, but if the first Star Wars movie proved anything, it's that character introductions shouldn't reveal everything from the start.
The other bad guys didn't do much for me. The First Order's supreme leader - who I prefer to call Not-Palpatine - came across as bland and lame. Captain Plasma did virtually nothing. General Hux was just a generic, smarmy Nazi character. But I'll give them another movie to grow on me before I pass final judgement.
While newcomers Finn and Rey firmly established themselves has iconic, strong characters in the franchise, Han Solo still managed to steal the show. A grouchy, gun-slinging, wisecracking smuggler, he brought the right dose of nostalgic charm to the series' revival. He also gave the movie real guts. Yes, I'm talking about THAT scene. It hit hard. And it was brilliant.
The same could be said for most of the movie. Did it bank a little too heavily on nostalgia? Sure it did. The Death Star reiteration itself was a glaring, unnecessary set piece. But Star Wars has always been a nostalgic tour de force, paying homage to the Buck Rogers sci-fi serial era of old. Now let's see if the sequels can free themselves from the past and stand on their own.
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