STAR WARS, THE FORCE AWAKENS

US, 2015, 135 minutes, Colour.
Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Adam Driver, Lupita Nyong'o, Andy Serkis, Domnhall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Max von Sydow, Peter Mayhew, Simon Pegg, Harriet Walter, Warwick Davis.
Directed by J.J.Abrams.

A review is the least necessary reference for filmgoers – but rather, something to check after audiences see the film.

For those familiar with the films, especially the first trilogy and its opening, there is a frisson of emotion and delight as we see the familiar words about long ago in a faraway galaxy and the introduction to this film makes its climb from bottom screen upwards towards outer space and John Williams’or familiar score begins its rousing cords and melody.

Most fans were not great enthusiasts for the second trilogy and most have been reassured that the series is back on track. Since there are a great many parallels to Episode IV, there is the comfort of familiarity and memory making connections – although some diehards have been dissatisfied and or upset that there are too many similarities.

We are introduced to a character, a pilot, somewhat in the vein of Han Solo, Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac). We find him in deep discussion with a wise elder, Max von Sydow channelling the style of Alec Guinness as Obi- Wan Kenobi, and we learn that Luke Skywalker has disappeared. This time there is a new droid, B-88 (though, rest assured that later in the film we will find 3-CPIO and R2-D2). But, no sooner than we are wondering about battles, the Storm troopers invade, massacring inhabitants, capturing Poe Dameron but not his droid. One of the storm troopers is upset at the killing, takes off his helmet, has no wish to be part of this killing, and helps free and then takes off with Poe Dameron and the droid who has the information as to Luke’s whereabouts.

One of the things about this film is that its hero, Finn (John Boyega) and the more than feisty heroine, Rey (Daisy Ridley who is just right) are ordinary citizens, not the royalty of Luke and Leia (though some wonder). No mention is made of it, anti-racism without comment, but Finn is black (the British actor using an American accent).

On the scavenger planet, where Poe and Finn crash land, Finn survives and it is there that he comes across Rey who has recovered the Droid. Well that leads to all kinds of adventures, especially an escape in an old starship which is captured by a bigger starship managed by – yes, Han Solo and Chewbacca. Harrison Ford is in good form as Han Solo (and a distraction indicates that, even though he is moving towards his mid-70s, there still could be an Indiana Jones adventure for him). Fans of Chewbacca will be glad of the considerable attention given to him.

The enemy is not exactly the Evil Empire, but The First Order, overseen by an evil Supreme Leader (Andy Seriks) who relies on General Hux (Domnhall Gleeson) and his military command as well as his disciple,Kilo Ren ((Adam Driver).

We are rather glad when, eventually, we find that Poe Dameron is not dead, that Princess Leia is now a general (and a substantial role for Carrie Fisher 30 years on). But, where is Luke, and how to get the final information as to his whereabouts in the galaxy?

This leads to a visit to a canteen, reminiscent of those in the old films with their bizarre characters, but this time the female equivalent of Yoda, Maz Kanata (Lupita Nyong’o of 12 Years a Slave). While Finn is the hero, it is Rey was given the laser sword and is meant to reawaken the force within her. So, there are some good adventures as they go to another planet where a vast weapon, absorbing energy from the sun, is being refuelled to destroy the Resistance.

There are fights, a shock to the system and audience sensibilities it if they have not heard about the twist, and a laser sword fight, once again, Rey versus the inheritor of Darth Vadern’s heritage and the Dark side, Kilo Ren.

Obviously, there must be a new trilogy – and the final sequence, Rey searching for Luke and a glimpse of Luke means that we can look forward to the next film which is already in production, in mid-2017.


1. The impact of the series over 40 years? A fantasy mythology?

2. George Lucas and his imagination and vision? The strong trilogy? The weaker trilogy?

3. Audience knowledge of the story, characters, issues? Response to the symbols? Attitudes and expectations for this film?

4. The recreation of the galaxy, the planets, the space ships, old and new? The impact of straight space travel? Costumes, decor? Special make up for odd and imaginative creatures? John Williams’ score?

5. The older characters, 30+ years later? Han Solo and his past reputation, contribution to this film? The presence of Chewbacca? Princess Leia, now a general? Luke, absent, his feeling of failure, the intrusion of the Dark Side, his exile? Seeing him at the end – and the film as a quest for finding Luke?

6. The new characters, in the spirit of the previous films? Rey and Finn as the new hero and heroine? Kilo Ren as the new Darth Veda, Dark Side?

7. The special effects, the action sequences, the stunt work? Flights, aerial combat, explosions, the laser swords?

8. The introduction, the parallel with the initial film? The First Order, control, the Supreme Leader? The Republic? The Resistance? Clashes?

9. Introducing the theme, Poe Dameron and the conversation with the wise elder, Lor San Tekka? The droid BB 8? The information about Luke’s exile? The sudden attack, the storm troopers, the massacre, the disk and its being put in BB 8? The escape, the flight, the crash, Poe Dameron, the First Order, the interrogation?

10. Finn, the slaughter, the blood, his change of heart, removing his helmet, saving Poe, helping with the escape, the crash on the scavenger planet?

11. Rey, her role as a scavenger, on the planet, salvage, selling her goods, the poor prices? The spies? The seller and his contacting the First Order? The droid, Rey saving it? Finn, the crash, thinking Poe was dead, his coat? Walking in the dunes, finding the village, the confrontation with Rey? The droid and its suspicions, the explanation, his offering to help? Rey not wanting to leave the planet?

12. Finn in himself, his possibilities, the good, wanting to get away?

13. The authorities, the Supreme Leader and his look, face, height, power, the Dark Side, old, his control of Kilo Ren? Of General Hux? Wanting to suppress the resistance?

14. The older plane, their taking it, flying? Being captured by the big spaceship, the introduction of Han Solo, Chewbacca? Getting the plane going? Rey and her knowledge, and Han Solo’s reaction? Going into action, the flights, the repartee?

15. Finding Poe Dameron again, the fight, the droid, the plan?

16. Going to the planet, going to the canteen, finding Maz Kanata, the odd creatures reminiscent of the original films? Maz as a female version of the Yoda? Giving the laser sword to Rey, the not wanting it, going away from the canteen, Maz following? Rey accepting and the consequences?

17. Going to the planet, finding C- 3PO, R2- D2, the latter not functioning? C-3 PO and his look, manner?

18. General Leia, her role with the resistance, 30 years on? Her character, leadership, strength? Her looking for Luke?

19. Meeting with Han Solo, the information about their son, his going over to the Dark Side, Luke’s failure? The sense of loss?

20. The importance of the map, the missing piece, not knowing exactly where Luke was, the quest?

21. Rey and Finn, helping each other, the growing affection as well as the clashes?

22. Rey, her capture, imprisonment, Kilo Ren and his talents? Her using her growing awareness of The Force, breaking her bonds, escaping?

23. The role of General Hux, strategies, commands, with the Supreme Leader, the weapon, drawing energy from the sun? The confrontation, the defeat?

24. Finn, Han Solo and Chewbacca flying to the planet, the plan, to destroy the shields, the general and his weapon, absorbing the energy from the sun, the time limit? The plan to destroy the Resistance, the Resistance fighting back?

25. Kilo Ren, taking off his helmet, his humanity, the son of Han Solo and The Leia, his confusion? With the Supreme Leader , with the general?

26. The attack, Finn and Han Solo and Chewbacca detonating the shields? The time limit?

27. Han Solo, confronting his son, on the bridge, Kilo Ren’s confusion, his speech to his father, the talk and the pleading, his suddenly stabbing his father with the laser sword, Han Solo dead, falling – and the audience shock?

28. Kilo Ren and Rey, the pursuit, fight, her skills, his being wounded, the chasm opening up?

29. The rescue, Chewbacca, Finn and the escape? The fire, the destruction of the shields?

30. The return to Princess Leia, her sadness, R2 D2 coming alive, his final information for Luke’s whereabouts?

31. Rey, her quest, flight, the island, the cliff, ascending, finding Luke, his standing older and alone, her request to him – and the future for the sequels?