Star Wars: The Force Awakens has become the second film to open to an income of more than $500 billion (the other being Jurassic World). Its pre-release ticket sales broke box office records and it is the third highest-grossing film of all time. The film stars Daisy Ridley as orphaned scavenger Rey, John Boyega as stormtrooper Finn, Adam Driver as Sith warrior Kylo Ren, and Harrison Ford as smuggler Han Solo.
Lucasfilm and Disney have worked so hard to keep details about Star Wars: The Force Awakens a secret. I do not want to ruin this endeavor. I promise that I will make this review as spoiler-free as possible. Do be aware, however, that I will discuss some main plot points (and some potentially minor spoilers). But as a side note, if you are of the few who have not seen the film, you likely already have heard the major spoilers. So if your desire is not to be spoiled, it's high time to see the film...after reading the review, of course!
SUMMARY
Thirty years have passed since Return of the Jedi. Luke Skywalker, the powerful Jedi, has gone missing! His twin sister General Leia plans to search the galaxy for her brother, in order to gain his assistance in fighting a new evil regime: the First Order. Resistance pilot Poe Dameron visits a small village and secures a piece of the map that leads to Luke. However, the First Order shows up, led the fearsome Kylo Ren, and they begin attacking the village. Dameron hides the map inside his droid BB-8. While Dameron is captured by Ren, BB-8 manages to escape the massacre. Kylo Ren interrogates Poe Dameron using his dark side Force powers. Ren learns that Dameron has hidden the map with BB-8, and he sends his troops to the planet Jakku to search for the fugitive droid.
Meanwhile, BB-8 is rescued by a scavenger named Rey. We learn that Rey is alone on Jakku and must find mechanical parts if she is to survive. However, back on Ren's command ship, there is a stormtrooper who is not so loyal as he seems. Stormtrooper FN-2187 believes that what the First Order has been doing is wrong, so he helps Poe Dameron escape. Poe suggests a new name for his new ally: Finn. In a stolen TIE fighter, Finn and Poe crash on Jakku.
After Poe goes missing, Finn eventually meets Rey. The two are chased by First Order forces, and they are able to escape Jakku. After running into an unexpected ally, they plan to return BB-8 back to the Resistance. Finn makes it to the Resistance, but Rey has been captured and taken to Starkiller Base.
The Resistance sends a small group to the base in order to destroy the destructive weapon located there. Time is running short as the Resistance is threatened. However, the heroes must also rescue Rey and confront the evil Keylo Ren.
CONTENT
The seventh installment of the Star Wars series is the second one to be rated PG-13, and for good reasons. While the content of this film is not necessarily as dark as Revenge of the Sith, it certainly has some violence. There is little blood in the film (a stormtrooper bleeds, though, and an interrogated Resistance pilot), but there are plenty of casualties. We see soldiers and pilots on both sides killed as a result of blaster guns, explosions, and other weapons of war. Beyond this, many starfighters explode and, therefore, their pilots also. People are eaten by an octopus-like creature, which also loses limbs in a battle. A person is stabbed with a lightsaber. One of the villains is a menacing alien with a disfigured face; he might frighten children, but his intimidating looks won't daunt adults.
Any foul language is pretty light, like other Star Wars films. There are two uses of h*** and d***. I'm pleased that director J.J. Abrams did not fully use the language limits of his PG-13 rating.
There is an embrace between lovers Han and Leia. The two had a child and later separated, but it is not clear whether they were ever married. A young woman kisses a man's forehead, though this didn't seem to be sexual in nature.
If it's not broke, don't fix it. I guess J.J. Abrams took this phrase to heart in creating The Force Awakens. Why? It could be said this seventh film is a revised remake of the classic 1977 Star Wars film. The basic plot and events constantly bring back to mind the original film. It works, but I feel like Abrams didn't use the full potential available for a truly original story. The new characters Rey, Finn, and Poe were nice additions to the galaxy far, far away, but Rey and Poe certainly are the new "Luke and Han." BB-8 is the new R2-D2. Abrams wanted to bring a new generation into the Star Wars universe, so it seems like he figured George Lucas' original formula would be best for this, if slightly modified. In honesty, though, this film is both nostalgic and new for old fans. It also is a fresh story for those new to the film series.
The Force Awakens did what previous films did best: provide important life lessons set in an adventure-filled world (or rather galaxy) of good versus evil. Friendship and teamwork are at the heart of this story. The scavenger Rey meets and befriends the ex-stormtrooper Finn. The two work against the First Order to bring a Resistance droid safely home to deliver classified data. Another story is one of attempted, yet failed redemption. A hero tries to redeem the villain, but with disastrous consequences. This points to real life where sometimes we can't save those who are too far gone down a dark path. Every sinner will not be saved, but that never should stop Christians from trying!
The film's music is stunning! The score is a perfect mix of old musical themes with new melodies. Composer John Williams earned his fiftieth Oscar nomination for this film's score (though he did not win, one of the biggest disappointments of this year's Academy Awards). His new scores remind us of his past Star Wars accomplishments.
So what about bringing the kids? I would advise caution there. Yes, this is a classic Star Wars adventure, but like the previous two films (from 2002, 2005), the violence is enough to keep parents from bringing their youngest children. After all, this is the second film in the series rated PG-13, and there is a reason. As you've read above, the content can be dark and intense at moments. For younger fans, parents will have to discern the maturity of their own children. I wouldn't recommend viewers to be younger than 11 or 12.
In summary, The Force Awakens is a nostalgic adventure from the galaxy we've come to know and love over the past thirty years. Yet like Revenge of the Sith, the seventh film is more violence-ridden than its lighter predecessors. Abrams was trying to reach a younger generation of fans...but not that young. Still, as a big fan of the films, I highly recommend this for a delightful experience of action, adventure, drama, and, yes, even some fun!
GENERAL INFORMATION
Length: 135 minutes
Rating: PG-13 (for sci-fi action violence)
Director: J.J. Abrams
Producers: Kathleen Kennedy, J.J. Abrams, Bryan Burk
Music: John Williams
Year of release: 2015
Primary audience: Teens, adults
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