04-10-2016, 09:00 PM
Finally watched Star Wars: The Force Awakens today and loved it. What really impressed was JJ Abrams has created a very modern version of Star Wars, but tonally and direction feels very much traditionally Star Wars. Unlike what was done by Lucas with the prequels, where he expanded the lore and universe, but for many lost the heart of the original trilogy, Abrams has created something that feels very close to the original trilogy. I won't delve into spoiler territory for those who haven't seen it, but I will say it all feels very familiar.
In terms of film direction, I think Abrams shows his quality as a director. The film is honestly beautiful, with the practical and special effects feeling very balanced and some shots are just breathtaking. At the same time, if you were to watch this after watching episodes 4-6, you wouldn't think it feels at all out of place. More so, in terms of the swift pacing and the unique switching between scenes, it all feels very much at heart like the old trilogy.
In terms of characters and actors, those who like the original trilogy will feel comfortable with the returning cast. They all feel like their old selves, only the characters have aged appropriately. Han Solo is a particular standout in this regard, at times leaving me gleaning with joy at the fact I get to see one of the most iconic characters in film history appearing fresh on screen. You can tell they made a huge effort to get the character right, despite the age. A film which I thought didn't do it half as well was Indiana Jones 4, where Indy felt kind of lacking or Die Hard 5 (even 4), where John Mcclane felt nothing like the original hero.
What's even more impressive imo is how well the new characters and cast fit in. They're all great, really likable characters and the actors do a great job playing them. What was great was seeing the actors play the roles with the same energy and slight campiness that was evident in the original trilogy. Daisy Ridley and John Boyega have brilliant chemistry together, Adam Drive who plays Kylo Ren is great in the role and I had a lot of love for Poe Dameron played by Oscar Isaac, he's a character I'd love to see more of. I can understand if people weren't the biggest fans of the main villain, but I thought he was a very interesting character.
That isn't to say I think the film was perfect, there were a handful of moments that left me thinking "that makes no sense" or "that wouldn't happen!", but honestly that's not what Star Wars is about. It's a popcorn flick that has a little something for everyone that you just lose yourself in the moment to. It's about having fun and being something that can be enjoyed multiple times, with cool and hugely entertaining characters who people see themselves in or dream of being.
I predicted pretty much everything that happened in this film as I was watching it and it played out almost exactly as I guessed it would. However, I couldn't care less about that fact, because it was a super fun Star Wars film, one leaving me giddy like the original trilogy, with a sense of nostalgia, but also enough of a fresh take for me to not feel that it was just copying the old films.
I feel great in that I've recently watched 2 films (BvS and Force Awakens) that I absolutely love. The cool thing is, I got exactly what I wanted from both. In this, I got a fun, slightly campy, but awesome action flick that I can have great fun with repeated viewings. With BvS, I got a serious comic book film in tone with the classic comics/graphic novels that ultimately shape what comics I enjoy the most (predominantly from the 80s era, with a little 90s stuff thrown in), that I can't wait to rewatch multiple times, but for very different reasons. I understand BvS may not be what everyone wants, especially in an era where comics and the movies inspired by them are tonally completely different to much of the classic 80s stuff, but I'm couldn't be more happy that I got a film like those books, some of which are some of my favourite books ever.
In terms of film direction, I think Abrams shows his quality as a director. The film is honestly beautiful, with the practical and special effects feeling very balanced and some shots are just breathtaking. At the same time, if you were to watch this after watching episodes 4-6, you wouldn't think it feels at all out of place. More so, in terms of the swift pacing and the unique switching between scenes, it all feels very much at heart like the old trilogy.
In terms of characters and actors, those who like the original trilogy will feel comfortable with the returning cast. They all feel like their old selves, only the characters have aged appropriately. Han Solo is a particular standout in this regard, at times leaving me gleaning with joy at the fact I get to see one of the most iconic characters in film history appearing fresh on screen. You can tell they made a huge effort to get the character right, despite the age. A film which I thought didn't do it half as well was Indiana Jones 4, where Indy felt kind of lacking or Die Hard 5 (even 4), where John Mcclane felt nothing like the original hero.
What's even more impressive imo is how well the new characters and cast fit in. They're all great, really likable characters and the actors do a great job playing them. What was great was seeing the actors play the roles with the same energy and slight campiness that was evident in the original trilogy. Daisy Ridley and John Boyega have brilliant chemistry together, Adam Drive who plays Kylo Ren is great in the role and I had a lot of love for Poe Dameron played by Oscar Isaac, he's a character I'd love to see more of. I can understand if people weren't the biggest fans of the main villain, but I thought he was a very interesting character.
That isn't to say I think the film was perfect, there were a handful of moments that left me thinking "that makes no sense" or "that wouldn't happen!", but honestly that's not what Star Wars is about. It's a popcorn flick that has a little something for everyone that you just lose yourself in the moment to. It's about having fun and being something that can be enjoyed multiple times, with cool and hugely entertaining characters who people see themselves in or dream of being.
I predicted pretty much everything that happened in this film as I was watching it and it played out almost exactly as I guessed it would. However, I couldn't care less about that fact, because it was a super fun Star Wars film, one leaving me giddy like the original trilogy, with a sense of nostalgia, but also enough of a fresh take for me to not feel that it was just copying the old films.
I feel great in that I've recently watched 2 films (BvS and Force Awakens) that I absolutely love. The cool thing is, I got exactly what I wanted from both. In this, I got a fun, slightly campy, but awesome action flick that I can have great fun with repeated viewings. With BvS, I got a serious comic book film in tone with the classic comics/graphic novels that ultimately shape what comics I enjoy the most (predominantly from the 80s era, with a little 90s stuff thrown in), that I can't wait to rewatch multiple times, but for very different reasons. I understand BvS may not be what everyone wants, especially in an era where comics and the movies inspired by them are tonally completely different to much of the classic 80s stuff, but I'm couldn't be more happy that I got a film like those books, some of which are some of my favourite books ever.
