Against all odds, director J. J. Abrams has done it, says Baz Macdonald.
Rating: 9.5/10
Star Wars: The Force Awakens is a triumph. Director J. J. Abrams had the almost impossible task of dragging the films out of the embarrassing depths of the prequels. Yet, against all odds, this film delivers everything Star Wars fans have ever wanted in one incredible two-and-a-half-hour package.
Set 30 years after the events of Return of the Jedi, our return to the Star Wars universe presents a post-empire universe in which the force is out of balance, and force-users almost a thing of myth.
The Force Awakens simultaneously feels like everything you love about Star Wars blended seamlessly with a whole new layer of style and ideas.The particulars of the story itself are spoiler territory, however, what I can say is that the narrative is an incredible journey that joins new characters and old in a monumental adventure. Miraculously, it manages to marry the greatest aspects of the Star Wars cinematic universe with a beautifully new and reinvigorated tone and style.
Much of the original tone comes from the films aesthetic: Abrams' inspired decision to rely heavily on practical effects lends the movie the distinct visual style of the original trilogy. The film is teeming with alien puppets, costumes and robots that bring you right back to the universe you know and love. The new robot BB8 is particularly successful in this regard. His adorable gestures make him an instant favorite.
Also adding to the original tone is the inclusion of many of the narrative staples of the series. The film is full of your classic space battles, cantina standoffs and lightsaber battles, all executed with the aid of modern film technologies and the superb direction of Abrams. Occasionally, these narrative ties came a little close to retreading familiar ground, but fortunately they tend to veer off into new and exciting territory just as you begin to think you know what will happen next.
At the heart of The Force Awakens' superb new tone is the casting. Abrams has assembled some of the world’s greatest actors to lend their talents to equally endearing characters. The effect is a world brimming with fascinating and well-rounded personalities, with even those with little screentime such as Gwendoline Christie and Domhall Gleeson creating individuals out of ancillary archetypes.
Though every performer is deserving of praise, the true stars are John Boyega and Daisy Ridley, who protagonists Finn and Rey, respectively. Both give performances that invigorate the film with charm and style. Ridley in particular is a revelation, giving a performance with incredible range, one moment cracking wise, the next delivering truly evocative emotional performances.
The chemistry between these two, and the rest of the cast, is bordering on magical. With a mere look, or a quippy one-liner, these characters simultaneously grow each other’s relationships while drawing you deeper into their world. Some of the film's best moments come not from its spectacular action sequences, but simply from casual interactions between the characters. They all meld so well that Star Wars: Episode 8 could be set at a dinner party and I would be more than happy.
The extent of Abrams' success with The Force Awakens has to be seen to be believed. He has masterfully resurrected the style fans have been craving for decades, while bringing in many new aspects that automatically feel right at home.
The cast, narrative and style create what is arguably the greatest Star Wars movie ever made. If this is the foundation for the coming Star Wars cinematic universe, we are at the beginning of a very special moment in the history of film.
Watch the trailer below: