Star Wars - Episode VII: The Force Awakens

The cinematic event of the year has finally arrived, and with it, the decimation of the global box office, and the return of balance to the Universe.

It’s been thirty-eight years since George Lucas introduced us to a galaxy far, far away, and thirty-two years since Return of the Jedi. With the seventh cinematic installment, following a multi-billion dollar franchise with television, fan fiction writing, merchandising, and a buy-out by the Disney Corporation, they finally straightened the course and got it back on its feet. Is Episode VII as good as anticipated? Yes. And it is much, much better.

The battle between good and evil continues. Thirty years have gone by, and the evil Empire has been replaced by the First Order; an intergalactic group of troublemakers. The legend of the Jedi is a distant memory and the resistance is searching for Luke Skywalker, who disappeared long ago and just may be the missing piece in the battle of good versus evil.

We are introduced to a new lot of characters, and there is immediately a familiar chemistry that develops between them. Daisy Ridley is the orphan scavenger, Rey. She is courageous and feisty, and carries with her a secret that even she doesn’t understand. Her attitude is innocent but tough, and she has a purity to her that is affable and mysterious. John Boyega is the new reluctant hero, Finn, a former Stormtrooper who has a crisis of conscience and finds himself embroiled in a conflict greater than he ever imagined. Oscar Isaac is Dameron Poe, the Resistance’s best fighter pilot who is just hard to dislike. He’s a nice guy who has the charm of Han Solo, and the swagger of another cocky, young X-Wing fighter pilot.

Adam Driver plays Kylo Ren, a bad guy with a secret of his own, and a Knight of Ren. We never learn the full extent of his back story, but that actually helps with his enigmatic masked persona. His character balances the line of human and monster incredibly well, with a great voice and a lanky walk, and he just may be the best bad guy of the franchise to date (sorry Vader and Maul).

The original cast all make an appearance, and with each one, there are cheers of approval by the packed audience. It’s a rare instance of a film giving you chills; not necessarily because of what’s on the screen, but because of the richness of the universe and the emotions that are stirred by nearly forty years of really knowing these characters. That’s the first thing that ignites the magic of the film. There is just so much history with these characters; it’s like a family reunion.

The second thing that makes “The Force Awakens” such a magical experience is that writer/director JJ Abrams manages to capture the essence of the first trilogy, perhaps even better than George Lucas himself managed to do in the second trilogy. Coupled with longtime Lucas collaborator Lawrence Kasdan, they managed to create a simple, yet satisfying beginning to a new era.

The Disney Corporation is going to own Christmas for the next six years, with projections of the opening weekend destroying the record books (estimates exceed $265 million, breaking the record by over $55 million). 2016 will bring us Rogue One, directed by Gareth Edwards (“Godzilla”, “Monsters”), 2017 will be the follow up to Episode VII, written and directed by Rian Johnson (“Looper”, “Brick”, some of the better “Breaking Bad” episodes), and 2018 is the first origin story focusing on Han Solo’s youth. 2019 brings us Episode IX, written by Rian Johnson and directed by Colin Trevorrow (“Jurassic World”), and finally, 2020 will be the Boba Fett origin story.

Whew, they have their hands full, not unlike another company that is successfully shattering records with suits of iron, green maniacs, Norse Gods, and patriotic super soldiers. My point is, the franchise is in good hands, and the next five years will be exciting to say the least.

It isn’t unrealistic or even speculative at this point to claim that Avatar’s $750 million domestic and $2.8 billion international box office records will fall. “Star Wars” appeals to literally every possible audience, and has a following like no other, even in the pantheon of sci-fi cults.

“The Force Awakens” stirs childhood emotions in anyone who has grown up to that powerful John Williams opening orchestral movement. It’s a must-see for the holiday season. Go for the characters, enjoy the effects and story, and leave satisfied. That’s what movies are supposed to be about. 10/10.