2015
Directed by J.J. Abrams
I have been putting off watching the new Star Wars. I'm hesitant to embrace this kind of fan service. I've been hurt before (btw my church does not recognize The Cursed Child as canon). It's like they think doing something as simple as reworking a quote from the original will send the fans into raptures, forgetting the fact that we all liked the thing in the first place precisely because it was like nothing we have seen before. But hey, it's on The List. As The List goes, so goes my nation.
The galaxy is once again being threatened, this time by the First Order. Kylo Ren (think Darth Vader with a slightly different outfit) is trying to locate Luke Skywalker, who has gone into hiding. A resistance fighter, Poe Dameron, obtains a map to Luke's location, but he is captured by Kylo Ren and tortured. Poe's droid, BB-8, escapes with the map and meets Rey, a scavenger. A stormtrooper, Finn, has a crisis of conscience and helps Poe escape. Rey and Finn team up with Han Solo to try to stop the First Order from destroying the galaxy. Man, for such a simple story this sounds kind of complicated in summation.
This reminded me of a video game re release, where story is essentially the same, but the weapons are slightly improved and the developers give you more avatars to work with. I did appreciate that there was more diversity in the cast (how does that work exactly? Does each race have its own planet?). The movie is too weak to stand on its own; you have to tolerate much nudging and winking. Yes, I remember you saying "we've got company." Yeah, I got the reference the first time, you didn't have to say it again.
All that being said, it is a fun, suspenseful movie. Compared to the prequels, this is Citizen Kane. Still, if you love something, shouldn't you let it go?
RATING: ***--
Interesting Facts:
John Williams received his 50th Oscar nomination for this film.
Had 13 producers.
RIP Carrie Fisher.
