Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)

Now, having watched Star Wars: The Force Awakens for a second time, I decided it was time to dive back into that world for the blog. Incredibly, I realized that I have overlooked the franchise for some time, and may have to break them all down over the next month or so. Who knows, but here is my spoiler free review of The Force Awakens.

Plot/ Three decades after the defeat of the Galactic Empire, a new threat arises. The First Order attempts to rule the galaxy and only a ragtag group of heroes can stop them, along with the help of the Resistance.

Let me start by saying this will be spoiler free. Although, I have seen the film twice now (both 2D and 3D), I imagine that there are still those out there who have not ventured out. Personally, I loved the film, as it brought the excitement of the originals back to life. For me, the homage paid to the original series will likely pay off in the future installments, as there are many questions that remain. If, like me, you remember the classics when they came out, it was not until The Empire Strikes Back, that questions were left unanswered, and ironically, that is the one that will stand as the best ever. The pacing was amazing, as there was always something happening, making the small pieces of mysterious dialog even better. Of course, some will not like the way this one plays out because of that, because there are moments left for the viewers’ imagination, but that is what makes this one tick. The action sequences work, the new characters interesting and mysterious, and the overall feel was much better than I expected. Sure, there could have been some more originality sprinkled in, but it is understandable on why this one was fueled by nostalgia, as the Star Wars audience must touch a younger generation, that may not truly appreciate the original’s in the same manner we do. In the end, this one may not reach the level as The Empire Strikes Back or Return of the Jedi, but it does move up the scale quite a bit. If you have not seen it, you definitely should check it out, especially if you have kids that are just learning about Star Wars. Trust me, there is nothing better than when your teenaged daughter comes out and says, “That was awesome! Rey Rocks!”