Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)Over a decade has passed since the release of the last
Star Wars film,
Revenge of the Sith, which according to creator George Lucas was purposefully designed to close the loop (and the door) on the sci-fi film franchise for good. But in November 2012, Lucas threw a wholly unexpected curveball by announcing the acquisition of the franchise by Disney, who intended to exploit the series with new films following the classic gang of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Princess Leia.
Just over three years later, and the first entry in the newly reinvigorated series is hard to avoid, with fans waiting with baited brief to see if
The Force Awakens can restore the series to its former glory. Is it possible that the family-friendly Disney corporation can satisfy long-time fans, while fostering a new generation and dare I say, bring balance to the Force?
30 years from the events of
Return of the Jedi, which saw the annihilation of the Empire, the last Jedi Knight; Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) has fled into exile. In his absence, a new threat has emerged - neither Sith nor Dark Jedi but born out of the power of the dark side of the Force. Resembling the Empire, the militarized First Order is intent on destroying the last vestiges of the Galactic Republic and the rebellion it tacitly supports. Equipped with an immensely powerful super weapon and flanked by the unpredictable, yet powerful Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) who's determined to complete Darth Vader's former mission, the resistance is in dire need of a rebalance of the Force if it's to survive.
While expectations are sky high for the relaunched
Star Wars saga, the benchmark for success has undoubtedly been dramatically lowered by the standard set by its prequel forebears. Bolstered by the re-appearance of Luke, Han, Leia, Chewie and Darth Vader (albeit in the visage of a post-funeral pyre charred helmet), an emphasis on analog visual effects (Real sets! Rubber suits!), more dramatic storytelling (the thankful absence of tax disputes and political shenanigans), not to mention a keen awareness of what fans actually want to see, I'm pleased to report that J.J. Abrams hasn't let fans down.
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