Movie review: ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens,’ epic, action-packed sequel will not disappoint
"Star Wars: Episode VII: The Force Awakens." (Disney)
A screenshot from "Star Wars: Episode VII: The Force Awakens." (Disney)
Parents need to know that “Star Wars: Episode VII: The Force Awakens” is the hugely anticipated seventh installment in the big-screen “Star Wars” franchise, featuring new main characters as well as beloved favorites like Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher), and Chewbacca. (Common Sense Media/TNS)
Parents need to know that “Star Wars: Episode VII: The Force Awakens” is the hugely anticipated seventh installment in the big-screen “Star Wars” franchise, featuring new main characters as well as beloved favorites like Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher), and Chewbacca. Directed by J.J. Abrams, the sequel takes place approximately 30 years after the events of “The Return of the Jedi,” and although there’s tons of sci-fi action — space battles, crashes, explosions, lightsaber duels, and more — there’s less violence overall than viewers saw in “Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.” Villains do order the mass murder of countless civilians, prisoners are coerced physically and with the Force, and duels lead to injuries and death, but none of it is bloody or gory. With little language (“dammit” and “hell” are as strong as it gets) or sex, this is the kind of epic adventure that will undoubtedly appeal to “Star Wars” fans of all ages. But while younger kids may be familiar with the franchise and its many spin-offs (like the animated “Clone Wars”), they might not be ready for some of “The Force Awakens’ ” more violent or emotional scenes. (Spoiler alert: One death will hit very hard.)
WHAT’S THE STORY?
“Star Wars: Episode VII: The Force Awakens” takes place in a familiar galaxy far, far away, about 30 years after “The Return of the Jedi.” Luke Skywalker, the last surviving Jedi, has gone into hiding, allowing the Empire’s remaining sympathizers to grow into a considerable military force called the First Order, led by the masked Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) and General Hux (Domhnall Gleeson, in a scenery-chewing performance). The First Order captures the resistance’s most daring pilot, Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac), in hopes of securing a secret map to Skywalker’s whereabouts — but rogue Stormtrooper Finn (John Boyega) helps Poe escape. Finn ends up teaming with a skilled young scavenger, Rey (Daisy Ridley), who — unbeknownst to her — is protecting Poe’s droid, BB-8. Finn and Rey don’t know much other than that they’re in constant danger and that they need to get BB-8 back into the hands of the Resistance. Enter a familiar smuggling duo, Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew), who agree to lead their young counterparts to the resistance leader, General Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher).
IS IT ANY GOOD?
“Star Wars” fans can rest easy; director J.J. Abrams clearly knows how to stay faithful to sci-fi classics. He focuses not just on fantastic action sequences, but on the heart of these stories: the characters, both new and old. Finn and Rey are, like Luke once was, appealingly naive — but also a lot more proactive. They’re both alone, Finn because he was brought up as a Stormtrooper with only one skill (to kill), and Rey because she was torn away from her family as a young child and lives a lonely existence of scavenging for parts. Like Leia and Han, they banter and argue, but they’re also refreshingly earnest and encouraging with each other. Boyega and Ridley have an immediate chemistry that’s sweet, with just a hint of possible romance.
Finn and Rey (as well as swashbuckling fighter pilot Poe) may be the franchise’s new main characters, but this film ultimately belongs to Ford, reprising his role as Han Solo. Still smirking after all these years, Han is reunited with his original love, the Millennium Falcon. He and Chewie see in Finn and Rey the urgency they remember from their days with Luke and Leia. Despite considerable emotional baggage between Han and Leia, the couple’s reunion will melt fans’ hearts. Ford is utterly brilliant as what’s arguably his most definitive character; he’s the bridge between the new characters and the old. He’s the one whose vulnerability and humor make you remember how much you missed these characters in George Lucas’ misguided style-over-substance prequels. Featuring John Williams’ forever enduring score and the universal themes of the original movies, the Force is back in “Episode VII” — and stronger than ever.
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RATING AND CONTENT
Recommended for ages 10 and older
Quality: 4 out of 5
Positive messages: 4 out of 5
Positive role models: 4 out of 5
Violence: 3 out of 5
Sex: 0 out of 5
Language: 1 out of 5
Drinking, drugs, and smoking: 1 out of 5
Consumerism: 4 out of 5 (Are products/advertisements embedded? Is the title part of a broader marketing initiative/empire? Is the intent to sell things to kids?)
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MOVIE DETAILS
Theatrical release date: December 18, 2015
Director: J.J. Abrams
Studio: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Genre: Science fiction
Run time: 136 minutes
MPAA rating: PG-13
