December 30, 2015

 

Let me start by saying that I am by no means a Star Wars junkie. I am dating one though. And he will tell you that after 32 years, the wait was worth it. He was as happy as a kid in a candy store as the credits rolled, and he was slowly immersed in the Star Wars universe after all this time. And as someone who just enjoys fun, entertaining films, this seventh installment of the series does not disappoint.

 

I will try to break this down simply for any film-goer, and hopefully I won’t insult those Star Wars fans out there. The film is set 30 years after The Return of the Jedi, and follows newcomers Rey (Daisy Ridley), Finn (John Boyega) and Poe (Oscar Issac) as they battle Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) and the First Order. Of course, the future of the Galactic Empire is at stake, as they join the Resistance and a few old faces, including General Leia (Carrie Fisher), Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Chewie. And it’s all a race as to who can find Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), who has been missing for centuries.

 

Kylo Ren kidnaps Poe, in the hope to find information on Luke. But little does he know that skytrooper Finn wants out. Finn manages to get Poe, and himself, off the First Order ship, but as they crash on Jakku, Finn assumes Poe is dead. Meanwhile, Poe’s trusty droid, BB-8, has part of the key to finding Luke. BB-8 manages to escape before Poe is kidnapped. As he rolls through Jakku, he stumbles upon Rey, a scavenger just working to stay alive. Finn runs into Rey at a junkyard and become buddies quick when stormtroopers descend looking for BB-8 and Finn. They get away in the rundown Millennium Falcon.

 

While trying to stay safe later on, Rey and Finn encounter Han Solo and Chewie. Soon all have joined forces to find Luke and try to defeat the First Order. As Han Solo heads to Leia for help, he reveals that Kylo Ren is their son, and she just wants him back. That seems easier than it actually, as the Dark Side seems to have taken over Kylo Ren.

 

Rey somehow ends up kidnapped, but during interrogation by Kylo Ren, they both realize she has Jedi powers. Not good for Kylo Ren, but great for everyone else.

 

After an epic light saber battle, it seems the Resistance has won for now. And in celebration, the group realizes the map to finding Luke was under their noses the whole time. Rey sets out to find him, and return an item that was lost a long time ago.

 

Now, I am purposely leaving out pretty significant plot points because I really don’t want to spoil it for anyone. I know normally I post spoilers, but I know how long many have waited for this film and I really don’t want to ruin it.

 

The mix of old and new characters was nice. However, even though I enjoyed seeing the old characters in their full form, the newcomers managed to hold their own. Specifically, Ridley and Driver. I thought they were fantastic in the ways they portrayed the Dark and Light sides. In addition, Driver did a fantastic job in portraying Kylo Ren’s struggle between both sides.

 

I, for one, can’t wait for the next episode to hit theaters. In the meanwhile, I look forward to seeing The Force Awakens again soon.