See also: Biggest Star Wars Payday Won't Be At Box OfficeĮven though the Republic seems to have rebuilt itself post- Return of the Jedi, we never actually see their leaders reacting to this terrorist splinter group nor do we understand why the major resistance to the First Order is called “the Resistance.” The filmmakers seem to have forgotten whether they were telling a He-Man story (just government fights back against evil usurpers) or a She-Ra story (scrappy rebellion battles to unseat evil rulers). The entire chase is an excuse for characters to reference an unseen Skywalker before he does or doesn’t (no spoilers) show up. Moreover, the “Resistance” ends up having little use for the would-be McGuffin in the end. Why the First Order cares about Skywalker’s location is never really explained, especially as they seem to be doing a pretty good job of killing their way across the galaxy in his absence. As we learn in the opening moments, the “First Order,” which is an ISIS-style revival of the Empire but seems to have all of the power and authority a state-sponsored military, is on the hunt for a map that betrays the whereabouts of a missing Luke Skywalker. Abrams’s undeniable skill as a visual storyteller that the Mad Libs narrative doesn’t outright destroy the picture.Ībrams and Lawrence Kasdan’s screenplay feels like a “greatest hits” reel of the first three movies, with the thinnest of possible stories on which to hang chases and escapes along with nostalgic callbacks.
As we see new heroes and villains undergoing adventures that bear a strong resemblance to what we witnessed 38 years ago, with similar group dynamics no less, it is only due to the charisma and talent of our newbies and J.J. When I tell you that most of the emotional oomph comes from our prior knowledge of, and emotional connection to, the first three films, you might not read that as a criticism. As the first new Star Wars film in 10 years and the first non-prequel since 1983, the primary objective for Walt Disney’s initial shot is getting fans back onboard and excited for whatever comes next. It is perhaps unfair to condemn Star Wars: The Force Awakens for being an exercise in fan service when that is the primary goal of the picture. Considering what a precedent-setting franchise the original Star Wars was, it is not a little disheartening that this new installment does not blaze its own path, but rather rehashes its former glories for our approval. It also omits or neglects vital connective tissue and merely hints at a far more interesting story than the one we get. The film follows the structure of A New Hope to such a significant degree that I spent much of the first act wondering if I was watching the Star Wars equivalent of Gus Van Sant’s Psycho. In that sense, it is worth seeing on the biggest IMAX screen possible, if you have any interest at all in this kind of picture. Star Wars: The Force Awakens is a breathlessly paced, relatively amusing and action-filled sci-fi adventure with top-tier production values and a strong sense of scale and scope. Spoiler Warning: There will be nothing concrete discussed below beyond the opening reel, although I can’t promise that you won’t be able to read between the lines here and there.
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