Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens
2015
***
Director: J.J. Abrams
Cast: Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong'o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, Max von Sydow
Ten years after George Lucas' hamfisted prequel trilogy, J.J. Abrams brings back the fun to the Star Wars franchise. The seventh episode is an entertaining spectacle with charismatic performances, thrilling action set pieces, and plenty of laughs. The only thing missing is an original story. The script by Lawrence Kasdan, Michael Arndt, and Abrams throws together a greatest hits collection of the previous six episodes which gave me a constant sense of déjà vu. Some 30 years after the Galactic Empire was defeated, the Resistance is fighting the First Order, led by the Supreme Leader Snoke. The First Order, who have constructed Starkiller Base, a superweapon capable of destroying entire planets, wants to track down and kill Luke Skywalker, who disappeared years ago. Some of the old characters return, and the new ones have a very familiar ring to them. There's Kylo Ren (a Jedi trainee who was drawn to the dark side), Rey (a parentless scavenger with hidden depths), and Finn (a former stormtrooper). Followed by The Last Jedi.
