"Some things never change." These words spoken by Harrison Ford's Han Solo perfectly capture the essence of the film audiences the world over have been waiting to see for over 30 years. That's right, we're talking about Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens. The legendary franchise is known quite well. Whether you love the original trilogy passionately, cringe at the mention of the prequel trilogy or rave about the various comic books, books and animated shows and films, the legacy created by George Lucas and Lucasfilm is something that cannot be replicated, but as director J.J. Abrams proves, you can return and bring the characters you love into a new story filled with even more captivating characters and storylines.
The story takes place over 30 years after the events of Return of the Jedi. The Republic is at war with a new threat known as The First Order, a group hell-bent on the total destruction of the Republic. From the ashes of the Empire and The Emperor's legacy rises The First Order, led by Supreme Chancillor Snoke and his commanders, General Hux and Kylo Ren. All that stands in their way is a new group of Resistance fighters, led by General Leia Organa. With Luke Skywalker missing and the galaxy desperate to find him, an unlikely group of heroes emerge to fight the First Order and stop the destruction they are planning.
I can honestly say that I have no complaints about this film. As a longtime fan of the franchise and the mythology, I really enjoyed both seeing the interactions of the original characters and the new characters coming to the forefront. Taking a step back from the overall heavy tone of the prequel trilogy and making a huge comeback to the lighter, more action-fueled and humorous tone of the original series, it was amazing to see characters like Han and Chewbacca interacting once again, showcasing that despite all these years, their chemistry just jumps off the screen. The story and setting of the film are incredibly well developed and fascinating, and the use of both CGI and practical effects made for a more immersive and entertaining viewing experience. Even the musical score of the film was heartwarming, having John Williams back at the helm made for an overall great film. I think fans are going to enjoy some of the big plot twists in this film, and will be shocked at some of the films big secrets as well.
Leaving on a cliffhanger, the film sets the tone for a cinematic universe that has been waiting to be filled for over three decades. With so many possible stories to be told, one can't help but feel Disney is setting up yet another franchise to match that of their other company, Marvel. With at least five films planned through 2020, we here at On Request Magazine and myself both hope that the pace, the story and the acting continue to soar above and beyond as it did in this film. Special shoutout to newcomers John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver and scene stealer Daisy Ridley, and of course incredible performances from Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and the rest of the original crew! Thanks to J.J. Abrams and the cast and crew, it feels great to be back in a galaxy far, far away...