Review: Star Wars - The Force Awakens

"As long as there is light, we still have a chance." The phrase said by the expert pilot Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac, in Inside Llewyn Davis: Ballad of an Ordinary Man), during one of the crucial moments of Star Wars The Force Awakens (Star Wars: The Force Awakens, EUA, 2015), defines very well the period of expectation that lasted between the announcement of the realization of a new trilogy for the space saga, created by George Lucas, and the premiere of the first episode, which hits theaters on Thursday (17). What was seen with suspicion and even as something unnecessary, little by little, was captivating the longtime fans and, even before the arrival of Episode VII in theaters, new admirers of Luke Skywalker and company already circulated around, with their lightsabers in hands and masks from Darth Vader. What, at first, seemed unlikely, at the end of the session, becomes believable: the Force is still present in Star Wars.

Seen as the new (and only) hope to prove the relevance of a new cinematic trilogy for the series and show that the Disney, new owner of the rights to the brand, is not (only) concerned with money, JJ Abrams took on the daring task. Having recently released Beyond the darkness, the second film of the Star Trek on the big screen, the franchise change generated a certain strangeness - taking into account the “rivalry” among adventure fans - but also relief: after all, the two features that brought Kirk and Spock back to the Enterprise won over audiences and critics and made Abrams' talent as a filmmaker evident. Star Wars The Force Awakens, in turn, consecrates once and for all the ability that JJ has as a narrator and makes him, at the end of 2015, the most celebrated name among Hollywood directors.

Completely detached from the expanded universe of the space saga - composed of countless books, comics, games, animations and so on -, the plot of The force awakens delivers something completely new. A long time passed since the destruction of the second Death Star and the defeat of the Empire at the end of Return of the Jedi (Episode VI), the new film introduces another threat: under the command of Kylo Ren (Adam Driver, in Frances Ha), the forces of the Empire resist. For a new reign, under the shadow of the dark side of the Force, to be established, it is necessary that Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), the last Jedi, be exterminated, eliminating, once and for all, the side of light. During Kylo's bloody hunt, Finn (John Boyega, in Building Attack), a stormtrooper in the service of the Sith, decides to desert. In his search for a new destination, the ex-soldier runs into Rey (Daisy Ridley), a girl who makes her living from selling scrap metal. Lonely, the two join forces when they find themselves involved in the battle between the Resistance, led by the General Read Organa (Carrie Fisher), and the new Empire, a conflict capable of deciding the fate of the entire galaxy.

Delivering more than that can ruin the experience provided by Episode VII. All the mystery that surrounded the timid but extremely efficient production and dissemination, proves that it is still possible (and very cool) to hide the plot of a film so that it is revealed at the right time, that is, during the cinema session. To the anxious, the encouragement: Star Wars The Force Awakens yes, it is the best movie in the saga since The Empire Strikes Back (Episode V), considered the masterpiece of the series, due to its extremely well constructed narrative, dynamic rhythm and unforgettable turning points, still surprising today. All these adjectives attributed to the 1980 film fit perfectly with the newest production, with a difference: the talent of the couple of protagonists. John Boyega and Daisy Ridley captivate whenever they fill the screen, which leads the viewer to care about Finn and Rey. Believe me: if you go to the cinema crazy to find Luke, Solo and Leia, in a few minutes you will have forgotten of them, when the two newbies take the lead in the narrative. This is bad? No way! When the classic characters enter the scene, what was already good gets even better. Point for the script written by six hands by Lawrence Kasdan (screenwriter for Episodes V and VI), Michael Arndt (Toy Story 3) and Abrams himself, whose text allows a careful construction of the characters so that the audience cares about them, even with a lot to be presented, something that, certainly, will be for the next films.

It is worth, once again, to highlight the direction of JJ Abrams. Bearing in mind that Star Wars has always been driven with an iron fist by its creator, George Lucas, watching a movie in the saga that has no strings attached and is the result of the work of its director is a gift to the public. The force awakens it is a work by Abrams from beginning to end and all the characteristics that mark the way the filmmaker works with cinematographic language are present in each fragment. One of the brands that I particularly like is how his camera, constantly on the move - but without the exaggeration of less talented filmmakers - gives the scenes fluidity, allowing the viewer to participate in the action, even in the face of apparently static plans. Such a technique gives Episode VII a careful direction, something that was lacking in the films of the new trilogy (Episodes I, II and III), all directed by a selfish and rusty George Lucas, resulting in films that have very serious rhythm problems and are lacking in a genuine emotion.

Full of cathartic moments and with a humor of timing perfect (another characteristic of its director), the last good impression that remains Star Wars The Force Awakens it is the capacity that the film has to take even those who do not know the saga. Precisely because it gives Finn and Ray the protagonism, never having seen Luke, Leia and Solo on the screens, believe me, it won't make a difference. Disney goal that, by delivering a production that will please fans and captivate newcomers in the universe, can earn a higher than expected income. If you still doubt the good deal that Disney did by buying the rights to the saga and investing in a new trilogy, it's good to rethink.

See the full factsheet and full cast of Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Do you want to comment on productions with people who have the same interest? Enter our facebook group and start the discussion!