*****
A long time ago, in a galaxy, far, far away...
So begins the long-awaited seventh instalment of the Star Wars saga, which takes place 30 years after the events of The Return of the Jedi. Luke Skywalker is missing. In his absence, the New Order has arisen, an evil totalitarian regime built upon the ruins of the Empire. Opposing them is the Resistance, an underground group, determined to defeat this new evil. It is into this world that scavenger Rey, and ex-Stormtrooper Finn, are flung.
Rest easy, dear readers, for Episode VII is good. It's very good; in fact, it's bloody brilliant. Forget the woes of Episode I, II and III and relax back into a fully-realised, action-packed, funny, well-acted instalment that contains as many fist-pump moments as it does emotional punches. It's a difficult balancing act, but somehow the three screenwriters have managed to pull it off. The plot is undoubtedly secondary to what is a very character-driven film, but the film can be forgiven this for introducing some excellent and fully-rounded additions to the franchise, including scavenger Rey (Daisy Ridley, apparently doing her best Keira Knightley impression), AWOL Stormtrooper Finn (John Boyega), Resistance fighter pilot Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac), and not one, but two baddies, Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) and General Hux (Domhnall Gleeson). Alongside these fresh-faced newcomers are the old favourites, and it is a joy to behold the mix of the old and new, working in such harmony. It's no spoiler to say that Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Chewie (Peter Mayhew) are back again, bringing with them a welcome wave of childhood nostalgia, and appreciative cheering from the audience. However, whilst there are references to the old, this is very much a film that focuses on the new, looking forward to a new trilogy with multi-faceted and intriguing characters.
It looks great, too. Whilst the dreaded prequels relied heavily on CGI and tennis balls suspended on ropes so actors knew where to look, Episode VII goes back to the old-school ways of real explosions, humanoid aliens in various forms, and sets that look and feel real. Few characters are entirely special effects, bringing the franchise back to its much-missed roots. Similarly, whilst the prequels were largely joyless affairs, humour is returned to the script, not least in the form of Finn, an excellent John Boyega who, for me, was one of my favourite things about the film: Finn is funny, but conflicted; witty but lost and confused, and Boyega encapsulates it all, with impeccable comic timing. His interactions with Rey (Ridley) and Solo (Ford) are genuinely laugh-out-loud funny. This isn't a comedy though, as we are soon flung back into the world of two competing baddies, the conflicted Kylo Ren (Driver), and his ruthless general, Hux (Gleeson). The developing relationship between these two characters will hopefully not disappoint.
So, get ready for a film that is as much an emotional roller coaster as it is space blockbuster, complete with aerial fight scenes, and the return of the static swish of a lightsaber. Go along, and be relieved that Disney bought Lucasfilms and restored the classic franchise to its former glory. Avoid the internet and all spoilers, and see the Force fully reawakened.
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