bitLanders AI-Themed Blogging: STAR WARS: EPISODE VII - THE FORCE AWAKENS, 2015 - Photo credit: 4k-wallpaper, edition by Amber255 via bitLanders
A cult film Star Wars has already been recorded in film history as one of the most successful cinematography projects, which has triggered the science fiction's popularity in cinemas. Together with this film, the first part of which appeared in 1977, grew up not one generation for which such characters as Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Darth Vader cause an excitement.
When a few years ago, it was publicly confirmed the creation of Star Wars' sequels, the entire cinema world began to buzz like a hive of very suspicious bees. Star Wars is a phenomenon which has no analog not only in cinema but also in all popular culture that has shaken the world since its first appearance in 1977.
If the sequels to “The Force Awakens” are as good as this film, that will probably be because they follow the same formula: heavy on the human side, more comedy, less CGI, more fresh faces, and more delightful droids.
Credit: csmonitor
So all the sworn fans of this cosmic epic have been eagerly awaiting the release of the movie since the announcement of the upcoming sequel. Other film studios planning to run their projects on cinema screens at a similar time had to cancel and reposition dates to avoid a scandalous financial fiasco, as it was already clear that no one film would be able to seriously resist the 7th episode of Star Wars.
The film confirmed all predictions, and THE FORCE AWAKENS has already crushed all the records of attendance, and the presentation event in Los Angeles was on its scale equal to the Oscars' ceremony.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens Trailer trailer - Video credit: youtube
The Plot
Thirty years after the destruction of the second Star of Death and a fatal blow to the empire, the forces of evil reappear, now called the First Order. General Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher) led all the successors and followers of the Republic - Resistance. The First Order together with the Resistance tries to find where is Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), the last Jedi who now disappeared.
The best resistance pilot, Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac), travels to the Jaku planet, where he receives a media with information on how to find Luke. However, by order of New Dark Lord Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), the Imperial infantry attack the village, and Poe, to save important information, trust it to his droid BB-8 which succeeds to escape. Its master is getting into Kylo Ren's clutches and is tortured to disclose information about BB-8.
However, with the help of rebellious Imerian infantry Finn (John Boyega) Poe escapes, but his piloted TIE machine breaks down in the Jaku desert, and the only Finn is able to escape. Introducing himself as one of the participants in the Resistance, he joins the garbage collector Rey (Daisy Ridley), who already succeeded to become friends with BB-8. Together they stole a hopelessly old cosmic ship and are going to return BB-8 to his base.
Star Wars sequel trilogy - Photo credit: imdb
The Content
In 2012, George Lucas, the creator of this cosmic epic, for 4 billion US Dollars sold his Lucasfilm company and rights to create Star Wars sequels to Disney studio. Although he had prepared his sketch for the further trilogy, new creators rejected his concept, and the director himself was only involved as a consultant in the seventh episode's creation.
George Lucas assessed the situation philosophically, equating to separation, and did not attempt to interfere with the creation of the new film, nor had any claim to it. Speaking to the media, he has briefly outlined the way he would develop his sequel, but it is now definitely clear that all this will always stay in a drawer of never implemented projects.
The American J.J. Abrams was chosen to direct this project, and he simply was condemned for enormous success (at least financially). Although he has directed the television series so far, he has already had experience in creating intergalactic films. Mr. Abrams also contributed to the writing of a scenario which kept under the strictest secret up to the premiere.
Watching the new part of the Star Wars, THE FORCE AWAKENS, from the beginning, the feeling did not leave me that I already saw it somewhere. In fact, there is no need to look for an answer far away - Episode VII is not a new story, but the repeat of episode IV, the oldest one's interpretation.
Star Wars franchise - Photo credit: bloggallerya
Once again we have a droid with hidden important information, we have the powers of the Dark and the Republic's analog again, we have a promising young character with excellent light sword control and incredible aircraft piloting abilities greatly managing the superb force; we even have a new black helmet. Not counting even the Star Wars' obligatory shootings, intergalactic catches, and light swords.
In essence, I can say that the director chose the safe way to please the taste of the massive audience. Even if this led to sacrificing a more interesting perspective on the storyline and deeper ties between the characters. Do viewers want lots of light and lots of sound? Lots of action and lots of colors? Lots of shooting and lots of fighting with light swords? Lots of flights and traps? So why not give them all this? Why tease the masses by creating risky characters or scenes, which, however, will not appeal to most - rather play what was already tested and what makes crazy everyone long time already?
True, sometimes such almost literal repetition of New Hope looks comical. At such moments, there is even a doubt about the intentions of the filmmakers - THE FORCE AWAKENS from time to time, both because of the sharp parallels and because of their humor, looks not as Star Wars' continuation, but as a high-quality A New Hope parody.
THE FORCE AWAKENS review - Photo credit: filmassessment.blogspot
The scenario is undoubtedly the main problem of THE FORCE AWAKENS. As it has become commonplace in modern Hollywood, the film sets itself a modest goal to appeal to everyone. It is only possible to get closer to this goal by playing safely, trying to stick the scene from very well calculated elements: 50 g of action, 20 g of humor, a pinch of drama.
Therefore, it often seems that the plot is pushed somehow artificially. The film usually is a series of events: it is logical and well thought out. But both the actors and the audience have absolutely no time to reflect on them, to react emotionally to them, because one has to move to the next stage of the action.
It seems that director J.J. Abrams is a fan of the Star Wars franchise and feels committed to its fans. We can only praise the creators for their attention to detail. In every frame, you can notice something fun - interesting creative design, landscape elements, etc. All this enter into a well-realized universe of the franchise.
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If George Lucas seems to have not even understood why people love Star Wars, J.J. Abrams does not need any interpretations. He is well aware that the center must have a very human history, and that the cosmic battles, the swords of light swords, and other elements are just a tool to unleash it with all its beauty.
THE FORCE AWAKENS is just human history. Tragedy and comedy in one.
However, episode VII has no episodes that would spoil it. There are many aspects (most of them in the scenario) that look weak or could be done better. They are a little annoying, they are spoiling the experience, but even this does not prevent the fact that THE FORCE AWAKENS is a good film and a good continuation. I think it would have been better if it didn't exist at all. However, it exists, and its creators have worked well both to present the Star Wars to the new generation and to remind the old ones.
Star Wars franchise - Photo credit: studiomadeinpb.wordpress
The Characters
As soon as the film appeared, it became clear from the list of actors that we will see not only new characters in the events of the seventh episode but also the good old ones.
THE FORCE AWAKENS after more than thirty years returning to the screens brings back the main trio - Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Leia (Carrie Fisher), which is no longer known as Princess but General, and Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) ), which has hitherto been the main source of speculation.
Han Solo : We lost our son. Forever.
Leia : No. It was Snoke. He seduced our son to the dark side. But we can still save him. Me. You.
Han Solo : If Luke couldn't reach him, how could I?
Leia : Luke is a Jedi. You're his father. There is still light in him, I know it.
Credit: imdb
Until the new film's release, people speculated that perhaps Luke went to Dark side - the idea of such theories came from the fact that no one had seen this character anywhere in the film trailers or in the distributed film photographies.
Harrison Ford justified expectations of viewers - as soon as we see him, it is clear that he is old Han Solo - the same sardonic cosmos cowboy as we remember him from the original trilogy - just with the traces of the passing time on his face.
Star Wars sequel trilogy - Photo credit: imdb
But Carrie Fisher's Leia with the earlier character links only by her name and relationship with Han Solo - from the brave, decisive, self-confident, and a bit of a heroic princess there is no left any shadow. The present Leia is just a sad recollection of the earlier character - the grandmother of space, to whom respect is shown for her past authority.
When it comes to the role of veterans, it is not possible to unambiguously assess their performance (due to the very different distribution of screen time).
In addition to these characters, the audience will see Chewbacca again (Peter Mayhew) and the indispensable droids C-3PO (Anthony Daniels) and R2D2.
The only truly curious hero was the BB-8 droid (Brian Herring). Despite the usual lack of explanation of his purpose, this hero is truly a lively and sympathetic member of the fight and the only one of the actors who clearly did not receive any fee. By appearance and size, it is closer to R2 type robots.
Star Wars sequel trilogy - Photo credit: imdb
As expected, the new part of the Star Wars presents the whole bouquet of new faces. The main role played by young British actress Daisy Ridley, who embodies Rey. Star Wars have always had strong female characters (Princess Leia, Queen/Senator Padme Amidala), so this tradition is not broken yet.
When you get familiar with every newly introduced key figure, you understand who they are and what they think. The main character, Rey, is dreaming, more fond of fantasizing, not actively pursuing her own dreams, and her personal challenge is to break this barrier.
Finn has to understand what he is and what to do in this world.
The most memorable and interesting of the new characters, Kylo Ren is a lost man who is desperately trying to be what he does not and is committed to anything for his purpose. Kylo dressed in the lord of New Darkness, plays better with a helmet than without him (maybe there is a mystery that makes him wear the helmet). As soon as he gets rid of it, he becomes a messy and confused young man and even dissipates the mood that was at least little similar to the earlier Star Wars atmosphere.
STAR WARS THE FORCE AWAKENS - Photo credit: cia-film.blogspot
Kylo character played by Adam Driver is just a perfect evil. First of all, it is not bad for the sake of evil itself. His rage stems from an internal conflict, whose progress in all three films should be very interesting. Kylo Ren is even more worthy to be named as an anti-hero than an antagonist. The Star Wars still had no such character. And that is very good.
We also see wise thousands of years senator Maz Kanata (Lupita Nyong'o), pilot Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac), First Order's Supreme Leader Snoke (Andy Serkis), who are easy to compare to the characters already seen in the previous episodes.
Instead of new second-rate characters, viewers got a set of completely colorless participants in the crowd, created mostly with the help of too bulky for 2015 makeup. Even the most attentive fans will not remember any of them after the last credits.
The Actors
As for the main actors, who must in the future assume full responsibility for the new trilogy, the problem is not so much in their inconspicuous nature as in the complete absence of any motivations.
The main role played young actor Daisy Ridley. Perhaps it was a bit risky solution, especially in view of the young actress's age, but she seems to have managed to cope with the role, and the available charisma will be enough to further develop this character in the foreseeable parts of the sequel. It may even be said that the performance of young Ridley is probably the best of all young actors.
THE FORCE AWAKENS review - Photo credit: imdb
Adam Driver does not succeed in conveying his character's hurting inner suffering, tearing it between Light and Darkness. It is not enough just to declare it. However, his performance is not the worst.
The biggest disappointment is John Boyega, who plays FN-2187 or else Finn. The acting of this actor is unconvincing all the film's time - everything is pushed and unnatural. In general, it seems that this character entered this film by mistake because Finn is a typical comedian or parody actor. Well, of course, starring eyes and constant snuffle did not improve the quality of the performance.
The Technical Side
However, if the scenario, directing, and acting deserve some criticism, there is little what to criticize in the technical side. Of all the technical parameters, only the operator's job might be a bit better, but even the existing quality is high enough. Sound and video editing done well.
John Williams came back to create a soundtrack. He wrote music for all six episodes of the Star Wars released so far. Of course, the music sounded in episode VII did not cause such pleasure as the soundtrack in the original trilogy or the third episode, but sometimes you can hear short motives of your favorite melodies.
Star Wars Episode 7 - Rey Finds Luke Skywalker, Ending - Video credit: youtube
On A Final Note
There will not be a better film than the original trilogy. The right time and the right place have made it possible to create perfect entertainment genre films which magic is impossible to repeat.
STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS is a continuation of the cosmic epic that once again brings spectators back to the distant galaxy and, with both well-known and completely new characters, sets the way for a further adventure perspective.
The creators of the film have sacrificed originality for entertainment and the desire to please the massive audience, so the feeling of déjà vu is accompanied by the first frames of Episode VII. As a result, THE FORCE AWAKENS is more similar not to the original sequel, but to the 4th episode New Hope's. reinterpretation. Too obvious parallels, a kind of humor, and one unfitting character also slightly unbalance the overall atmosphere of the film.
But those who waited for intergalactic battles and traps, flyings by spacecraft and fights with swords of light, or missed not only the long-seen characters but all the Star Wars Galaxy, shouldn't be disappointed.
bitLanders AI-Themed Blogging: STAR WARS: EPISODE VII - THE FORCE AWAKENS - Photo credit: wallpaperaccess
In general, the picture of J.J. Abrams did not have the main thing - Star Wars itself. Their epic, specific style, scope, naivety and deliberate drama inherent in all fairy tales about knights - which once divided the genre of space operas on Star Wars and all the rest. And which, it seems, were in the trailers. And if the direction of development of the franchise given by the creators of the seventh episode continues in the future, then - may the Force be with all of us.
Although it lacks originality, THE FORCE AWAKENS is a quality and not fully superficial film, which causes some nostalgia and still involved in the world created by George Lucas in 1977.
This story about the struggle for good and evil in the galaxy, friendship, loyalty, and love has created an important moment in the history of pop culture and evolved into one of the greatest films sagas of all time.
This thing is an entertainment orgy of galactic proportions, a fun-filled, planet-hopping, visually breathtaking adventure that gets the next generation of Star Wars stories off to a good start.
Credit: waytooindie
My rating: 8.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes: 92/100
Metacritic: 81/100
Critics average: 87/100
IMDb: 8.0/10
HAVE FUN!
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