Movie with Abe: Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Directed by J.J. Abrams
Released December 18, 2015

It’s one of the best known facts in the history of cinema that the Star Wars prequels were a monumental disaster. Sure, they grossed hundreds of millions of dollars, and this reviewer actually enjoyed the first two, but fans worldwide were epically disappointed in their quality and their failure to capture the same feeling as the first three films did from 1977 to 1983. Based on those results, it’s bold to say the least for the franchise to be rebooted just one decade after the prequel trilogy concluded, but based on the returns so far, revisiting a galaxy far, far away is a much more welcome trip this time around.

What “The Force Awakens” has brilliantly done to restart a franchise that may well be the world’s most popular and known movie series is to make the events of its original films legend. The new characters introduced in the seventh installment have heard names like Luke Skywalker and Han Solo and stories of the Jedi and the Force, but, to them, it’s a relic of the past that, especially with the emergence of the First Order, the latest incarnation of the Empire, seems destined to be remembered only as a myth. This film, therefore, serves as a fantastic callback to those original films, fully inviting nostalgia as fresh faces like defecting Stormtrooper Finn (John Boyega) and desert scavenger Rey (Daisy Ridley) experience the excitement and the rebirth of this saga right along with audiences.

I was impressed that I knew next to nothing about this film’s specific plot even after waiting a full two and a half weeks after its release to see it, so don’t expect any plot summary here. It’s enough to say that this film finds great and believable ways to incorporate familiar faces like Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher) while handing over this film’s legacy to the likes of Boyega, Ridley, Oscar Isaac as Resistance pilot Poe, and Adam Driver as masked enemy Kylo Ren. They’re all more than capable, and it’s fun to think that this film has now launched the careers of those less known and amplified those with preexisting work. This film has everything that “Star Wars” fans should expect and will enjoy, including action, humor, and hints of romance, and the best part is that the next installment is due out as soon as May 2017. Priming its audiences for a sequel is far from a bad thing in this case – instead it’s a sure sign that this franchise is ready for many new chapters.

B+

Tuesday’s Top Trailer: Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens

Welcome back to a weekly feature here at Movies with Abe, Tuesday's Top Trailer. One of my favorite parts about going to see movies is the series of trailers that airs beforehand and, more often than not, the trailer is far better than the actual film. Each week, I'll be sharing a trailer I've recently seen. Please chime in with comments on what you think of the trailer and how you think the movie is going to be.

Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens – Opening December 18, 2015

When I watched the new official trailer for the seventh installment of one of the most popular film franchises, it occurred to me that I had probably already written about the first trailer released a few months before. I have no qualms about revisiting what may well be one of the most anticipated films of all time. I’ve noted before that I actually liked the first two prequels, and so I expect that I’ll enjoy this one plenty. What this trailer shows, more than anything, is that this is not a departure from the fantastically dated style of the original films, valuing the old-fashioned look of the pilot uniforms and backdrops over the more futuristic technological colors and styles of the prequels. There’s something about seeing a TIE fighter and the Millennium Falcon that just conjures up so much excitement. I was concerned that this film would feel like too much of a throwback to the original movies, emphasizing cameos over actual plot, but it doesn’t look like that’s the case. Hearing that the Jedi are but legends and that everything we know to be true is a story from the past makes it infinitely more interesting, and therefore the return of Han, Leia, Luke, and all of them will be crucial and celebrated as Darth Vader’s apparent successor decides to wage war on all that’s left of them. It’s crazy to me that tickets are already on sale when the film won’t be out for nearly two months – I guess I should get mine soon! This film is going to be a truly invigorating experience, even if it ends up being disappointing.

Tuesday’s Top Trailer: Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens

Welcome back to a weekly feature here at Movies with Abe, Tuesday's Top Trailer. One of my favorite parts about going to see movies is the series of trailers that airs beforehand and, more often than not, the trailer is far better than the actual film. Each week, I'll be sharing a trailer I've recently seen. Please chime in with comments on what you think of the trailer and how you think the movie is going to be.

Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens – Opening December 18, 2015

I wasn’t going to write this feature this week, but I figured I couldn’t miss out on commenting on what everyone else has been watching. I managed to hold off on my excitement and wait until last night to watch the trailer, and I have plenty of thoughts that I feel are important to air before I look at the trailer itself. I saw all of the original Star Wars films at a young age and then had the wondrous opportunity to see and greatly enjoy the much-lambasted Episode I when I was just eleven years old. I watched it countless times, and had the chance to see, enjoy, and re-watch Episode II almost as many times. With that film three years later, I could acknowledge some weaknesses in the script and acting but still loved the action and the plot. Somehow, I only saw Episode III once, and remember not being too satisfied after the first two prequels managed to live up to my expectations. Now comes something much different, a chance to revisit the saga at a later point, when futuristic technology and other visual advancements are logical since this is in fact the future. I read young adult novels about Jacen, Jaina, and Anakin Solo when I was a kid, and I’m all for what the post-Jedi comeback world has to offer. This trailer truly is a teaser, with just a few shots including a very human stormtrooper and a fancy-looking lightsaber. It’s hard to know what this film will involve and how much of the story will actually be leaked before the film hits theatres a year from now, but how can you not be excited and want more after seeing this tease? I’m pretty pumped, and I imagine many other fans are too.