Star Wars: The Force Awakens


Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Overview:

Thirty years after defeating the Galactic Empire, Han Solo and his allies face a new threat from the evil Kylo Ren and his army of Stormtroopers.

Votes 7755 (7.5/10)

Runtime: 136 minutes

Release Date 2015-12-15

Budget: $245,000,000.00

Revenue: $2,068,223,624.00

Website: Link

Tagline: Every generation has a story.

Production company:

  • Lucasfilm
  • Truenorth Productions
  • Bad Robot

Production country:

  • United States of America

Genres:

  • Action
  • Adventure
  • Science Fiction
  • Fantasy

Trailer

Further Information

Rey
Daisy Ridley
Daisy Ridley
Finn
John Boyega
John Boyega
Kylo Ren
Adam Driver
Adam Driver
Han Solo
Harrison Ford
Harrison Ford
Poe Dameron
Oscar Isaac
Oscar Isaac
Princess Leia Organa
Carrie Fisher
Carrie Fisher
Luke Skywalker
Mark Hamill
Mark Hamill
Maz Kanata
Lupita Nyong'o
Lupita Nyong'o
Supreme Leader Snoke
Andy Serkis
Andy Serkis
General Hux
Domhnall Gleeson
Domhnall Gleeson
C-3PO
Anthony Daniels
Anthony Daniels
Lor San Tekka
Max von Sydow
Max von Sydow
Chewbacca
Peter Mayhew
Peter Mayhew
Young Rey
Cailey Fleming
Cailey Fleming
Chewbacca Double
Joonas Suotamo
Joonas Suotamo
Bollie Prindel / Roodown
Ian Whyte
Ian Whyte
Captain Phasma
Gwendoline Christie
Gwendoline Christie
Unkar Plutt
Simon Pegg
Simon Pegg
Lieutenant Connix
Billie Lourd
Billie Lourd
Snap Wexley
Greg Grunberg
Greg Grunberg
Admiral Statura
Ken Leung
Ken Leung
Teedo
Kiran Shah
Kiran Shah
Colonel Kaplan
Pip Torrens
Pip Torrens
Major Ematt
Andrew Jack
Andrew Jack
Colonel Datoo
Rocky Marshall
Rocky Marshall
Brance
Emun Elliott
Emun Elliott
Bala-Tik
Brian Vernel
Brian Vernel
Tasu Leech
Yayan Ruhian
Yayan Ruhian
Lieutenant Mitaka
Sebastian Armesto
Sebastian Armesto
Korr Sella
Maisie Richardson-Sellers
Maisie Richardson-Sellers
Wollivan
Warwick Davis
Warwick Davis
Razoo Quin-Fee
Iko Uwais
Iko Uwais
Bazine Netal
Anna Brewster
Anna Brewster
Dr. Kalonia
Harriet Walter
Harriet Walter
Admiral Ackbar
Tim Rose
Tim Rose
Nien Nunb
Mike Quinn
Mike Quinn
Jess Testor
Jessica Henwick
Jessica Henwick
Ensign Goode
Crystal Clarke
Crystal Clarke
Min Sakul
Leanne Best
Leanne Best
Tabala Zo
Philicia Saunders
Philicia Saunders
Rear Admiral Guich
Jeffery Kissoon
Jeffery Kissoon
Lema Eelyak
Claudia Sermbezis
Claudia Sermbezis
Captain Cypress
Gerald W. Abrams
Gerald W. Abrams
Vice Admiral Resdox
Jim McGrath
Jim McGrath
Commodore Meta
Morgan Dameron
Morgan Dameron
Lieutenant Bastian
Tosin Cole
Tosin Cole
Niv Lek
James McArdle
James McArdle
Yolo Ziff
Stefan Grube
Stefan Grube
First Order Officer
Thomas Brodie-Sangster
Thomas Brodie-Sangster
Stormtrooper
Daniel Craig
Daniel Craig
FN-3181
Michael Giacchino
Michael Giacchino
FN-9330
Nigel Godrich
Nigel Godrich
Lead Stormtrooper
Pip Andersen
Pip Andersen
Resistance Soldier
Dixie Arnold
Dixie Arnold
First Order Officer
Hannah John-Kamen
Hannah John-Kamen
Knight of Ren
Mark Stanley
Mark Stanley
Obi-Wan Kenobi (voice)
Ewan McGregor
Ewan McGregor
Yoda (voice)
Frank Oz
Frank Oz
Obi-Wan Kenobi (voice) (archive footage)
Alec Guinness
Alec Guinness
Jakku Villager
Sasha Frost
Sasha Frost
Bar Patron
Miltos Yerolemou
Miltos Yerolemou
Bar Patron
Judah Friedlander
Judah Friedlander
Bar Patron
Victor McGuire
Victor McGuire
Admiral Ackbar (voice)
Erik Bauersfeld
Erik Bauersfeld
BB-8 Performed By
Dave Chapman
Dave Chapman
BB-8 Performed By
Brian Herring
Brian Herring
Crokind Shand
Cecep Arif Rahman
Cecep Arif Rahman
First Order Officer
Kate Fleetwood
Kate Fleetwood
Hosnian Citizen / Starkiller Technician
Tom Kane
Tom Kane
Hangar Officer / Starkiller Technician (voice)
Catherine Taber
Catherine Taber
Ello Asty / Quiggold / Niima Thug (voice)
Matthew Wood
Matthew Wood
First Order Stormtrooper
James Arnold Taylor
James Arnold Taylor
Starkiller PA Announcer (voice)
Michael Donovan
Michael Donovan
Hangar Officer / Starkiller Stormtrooper (voice)
Devon Libran
Devon Libran
Red Eyed Sand Alien (voice)
Robert Stambler
Robert Stambler
Resistance PA Announcer (voice)
Verona Blue
Verona Blue
Niima Scavenger / Forest Stormtrooper (voice)
Fred Tatasciore
Fred Tatasciore
Resistance Medic (voice)
Patrick Correll
Patrick Correll
Niima Scavenger (voice)
Karen Huie
Karen Huie
Desert Scavenger (voice)
Orly Schuchmacher
Orly Schuchmacher
Niima Scavenger (voice)
Mark Dodson
Mark Dodson
Stormtrooper (voice)
Kevin Smith
Kevin Smith
Stormtroopers / Star Destroyer PA Announcer / Star Destroyer Officer (voice)
Samuel Witwer
Samuel Witwer
Additional Alien Dialect (voice)
Saara Forsberg
Saara Forsberg
Director
J.J. Abrams
J.J. Abrams
Producer
Bryan Burk
Bryan Burk
Producer
J.J. Abrams
J.J. Abrams
Original Music Composer
John Williams
John Williams
Screenplay
J.J. Abrams
J.J. Abrams
Screenplay
Lawrence Kasdan
Lawrence Kasdan
Producer
Kathleen Kennedy
Kathleen Kennedy
Characters
George Lucas
George Lucas
Director of Photography
Daniel Mindel
Daniel Mindel
Editor
Maryann Brandon
Maryann Brandon
Editor
Mary Jo Markey
Mary Jo Markey
Casting
Nina Gold
Nina Gold
Casting
April Webster
April Webster
Casting
Alyssa Weisberg
Alyssa Weisberg
Production Design
Rick Carter
Rick Carter
Production Design
Darren Gilford
Darren Gilford
Art Direction
Alastair Bullock
Alastair Bullock
Art Direction
James Collins
James Collins
Art Direction
Robert Cowper
Robert Cowper
Art Direction
Peter Dorme
Peter Dorme
Art Direction
Jordana Finkel
Jordana Finkel
Art Direction
Mark Harris
Mark Harris
Art Direction
Kevin Jenkins
Kevin Jenkins
Art Direction
Ashley Lamont
Ashley Lamont
Art Direction
Andrew Palmer
Andrew Palmer
Art Direction
Hayley Easton Street
Hayley Easton Street
Art Direction
Stephen Swain
Stephen Swain
Art Direction
Gary Tomkins
Gary Tomkins
Set Decoration
Lee Sandales
Lee Sandales
Costume Design
Michael Kaplan
Michael Kaplan
Art Department Coordinator
Pollyanna Seath
Pollyanna Seath
Construction Coordinator
Amanda Pettett
Amanda Pettett
Property Master
Jamie Wilkinson
Jamie Wilkinson
Music Editor
Ramiro Belgardt
Ramiro Belgardt
Casting Associate
Theo Park
Theo Park
Casting Associate
Jessica Sherman
Jessica Sherman
Researcher
Celia Barnett
Celia Barnett
Assistant Costume Designer
Nigel Egerton
Nigel Egerton
Assistant Costume Designer
Vivienne Jones
Vivienne Jones
Costume Supervisor
David Crossman
David Crossman
Hair Designer
Lisa Tomblin
Lisa Tomblin
Hairstylist
Karen Asano-Myers
Karen Asano-Myers
Hairstylist
Francesca Crowder
Francesca Crowder
Hairstylist
Kathryn Fa
Kathryn Fa
Key Hair Stylist
Andrew Simonin
Andrew Simonin
Makeup Department Head
Amanda Knight
Amanda Knight
Makeup Artist
Bill Corso
Bill Corso
Makeup Artist
Amy Byrne
Amy Byrne
Digital Intermediate
Stefan Sonnenfeld
Stefan Sonnenfeld
First Assistant Editor
Martin Corbett
Martin Corbett
Animation
Laurent Benhamo
Laurent Benhamo
Animation
Amaury Coljon
Amaury Coljon
Animation
Marc Calvelo
Marc Calvelo
Animation
Jean-Denis Haas
Jean-Denis Haas
Animation
Chris Tost
Chris Tost
Animation
Atsushi Kojima
Atsushi Kojima
CG Supervisor
Ian Comley
Ian Comley
CG Supervisor
Polly Ing
Polly Ing
CG Supervisor
Brandon Fayette
Brandon Fayette
CG Supervisor
Andrew Booth
Andrew Booth
Visual Effects Art Director
Yanick Dusseault
Yanick Dusseault
Visual Effects Coordinator
Patricia Martinez Arastey
Patricia Martinez Arastey
Visual Effects Coordinator
Jenny Jiyeon Bae
Jenny Jiyeon Bae
Visual Effects Coordinator
Dan Cortez
Dan Cortez
Visual Effects Coordinator
Umar Hussain
Umar Hussain
Visual Effects Coordinator
Julie Liu
Julie Liu
Visual Effects Coordinator
Teréz Koncz
Teréz Koncz
Visual Effects Editor
Martin Allan Kloner
Martin Allan Kloner
Visual Effects Coordinator
Conor Byrne
Conor Byrne
Visual Effects Producer
Sophie Cullen
Sophie Cullen
Visual Effects Producer
Ben Lock
Ben Lock
Visual Effects Supervisor
Michael Mulholland
Michael Mulholland
Visual Effects Supervisor
Nick Hsieh
Nick Hsieh
Visual Effects Supervisor
Roger Guyett
Roger Guyett
Camera Operator
Andrew Rowlands
Andrew Rowlands
Camera Operator
Philippe Carr-Forster
Philippe Carr-Forster
Camera Operator
Harry K. Garvin
Harry K. Garvin
Camera Operator
Ben Wilson
Ben Wilson
Helicopter Camera
Adam Dale
Adam Dale
Steadicam Operator
Colin Anderson
Colin Anderson
Gaffer
David Sinfield
David Sinfield
Still Photographer
David James
David James
ADR & Dubbing
Richard Quinn
Richard Quinn
Foley
Jonathan Borland
Jonathan Borland
Sound Designer
David Acord
David Acord
Sound Designer
Ben Burtt
Ben Burtt
Sound Designer
Will Files
Will Files
Sound Re-Recording Mixer
Andy Nelson
Andy Nelson
Supervising Sound Editor
Matthew Wood
Matthew Wood
Supervising Sound Editor
Gary Rydstrom
Gary Rydstrom
Special Effects Supervisor
Chris Corbould
Chris Corbould
Creature Design
Jake Lunt
Jake Lunt
Gaffer
Patrick Hoeschen
Patrick Hoeschen
Gaffer
Christopher Prampin
Christopher Prampin
First Assistant Camera
Paul Wheeldon
Paul Wheeldon
First Assistant Camera
David Penfold
David Penfold
First Assistant Camera
Robert Palmer
Robert Palmer
First Assistant Camera
Dora Krolikowska
Dora Krolikowska
First Assistant Camera
Brad Larner
Brad Larner
Second Unit Cinematographer
Bruce McCleery
Bruce McCleery
Stunt Coordinator
Rob Inch
Rob Inch
Writer
Michael Arndt
Michael Arndt
Art Direction
Stuart Rose
Stuart Rose
VFX Editor
Dogu Abaris
Dogu Abaris
Production Sound Mixer
Stuart Wilson
Stuart Wilson
Associate Producer
Michael Arndt
Michael Arndt
Supervising Art Director
Neil Lamont
Neil Lamont
Creative Consultant
Simon Kinberg
Simon Kinberg
Thanks
Simon Kinberg
Simon Kinberg
Creative Consultant
Lawrence Kasdan
Lawrence Kasdan
Creative Consultant
Dennis Muren
Dennis Muren
Thanks
Simon Pegg
Simon Pegg
Animation
Phil Tippett
Phil Tippett

Frank Ochieng

So where were you when the Science Fiction cinema sensation ‘Star Wars’ took shape and captured the imagination of the massive global moviegoers’ escapist expectations back in 1977? Regardless of whether you existed thirty-eight years ago or not, the legend of George Lucas’ highly-heralded SF blockbuster that shattered box office records worldwide was automatically engrained in your cinematic psyche. Now nearly four decades later, the motion picture phenomenon that took place in ‘a galaxy a long time ago…far, far away’ has come to expand its entertaining promise and prominence even after numerous servings of movie sequels, television specials and other fanfare attributes that promoted the ‘Star Wars’ agenda throughout the countless years. The modern-day arrival of yet another ‘Star Wars’ edition in the millennium movie-making age of technical and tactical brilliance is quite fitting and filmmaker J.J. Abrams is the right choice to helm this sacred film franchise and present a whole new litany of continuing adventurous narratives for a new generation of ‘Star Wars’ personalities dipping their tenacious toes into ‘the force of goodness’ battling ‘the dark side’ of authoritative evil. In Abrams’s reboot ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’, the anticipation of enhancing and enlightening the reputation and respect of the Lucas landscape of stormtroopers, light sabres and of course the iconic ‘Star Wars’ returnees from the treasured trio of Harrison Ford (Han Solo)/Carrie Fisher (Leia) and Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) registers with a nostalgic blast of appreciation and exhilaration. ‘The Force Awakens’ is a sheer big screen celebration of majestic impishness and intrigue that will fortify the hunger of both casual and rabid ‘Star Wars’ fanatics. Indeed, the hype is warranted and Abrams, the mastermind of the big-budget movie sequelitis, is in top form as he triumphantly presents ‘The Force Awakens’ on a prized silver platter designed for its surging golden moments of charged ebullience. In looking at the numbers game that is connected to the overall ‘Star Wars’ universe, it is hard to believe that the last prequel was released just a decade ago. Furthermore, it is mind-boggling that the aforementioned ‘Star Wars’ ‘royalty’ in Ford, Fisher and Hamill have shared the same space on film for the first time in over three decades since they last were featured in a ‘Star Wars’ movie together. Nevertheless, no one can deny that ‘The Force Awakens’ does not take the challenge in combining the remembrance of the ‘Star Wars’ installments of yesteryear with the fresh brand of current upstarts willing to engage in another boisterous saga that begins a whole chapter of compelling wonderment. The mix of veterans and novices in ‘The Force Awakens’ is quite interesting but the familiarity of the storytelling heft of good vs. evil is always a solid sell in the realm of the ‘Star Wars’ utopia. The good news is that ‘The Force Awakens’ not only serves as a bridge that crosses both boundaries past and present in ‘Star Wars’ folklore but it taps into the masterful mystique that Lucas and company worked so diligently to showcase so historically some thirty-eight years ago. Still, some may have lobbied for a stronger storyline in ‘The Force Awakens’ as they may gently dismiss it as being merely thin in its premise while viewing it primarily as a launching pad to develop yet another series of movies to create the ‘Star Wars’ juggernaut for this current-day climax of warped speed wizardry. For those that want a basic outline of ‘The Force Awakens’ pulse it is as such where the beloved yet aging tandem of standouts Han Solo and Chewbacca (yes, good old hulking and walking hairball Chewie is back) is helping out heroic new bloods’ Rey and Finn (played by Daisy Ridley and John Boyega)’ in an effort to groom them for combating the emergence of Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), a villainous representative from the Dark Side of the Force. Basically, ‘The Force Awakens’ is a grand and stirring homage to the prolific Science Fiction/space fantasy that dared to soar its ambitious wings while taking the old-fashioned concept of the good guys sparring with the bad guys and spinning a whimsical web of dark imperialism while searching for the intrinsic value of brotherhood. One cannot imagine the vitality of ‘Star Wars’ without the inclusion of notable and favorite characterizations that were instrumental in inviting a ravenous response to this filming phenom that has existed in your pop cultural lives for too many years to recount. In addition to joining top dogs in Ford’s Han Solo, Hamill’s Luke Skywalker, Fisher’s General Leia Organa (the former Princess Leia to all you old school ‘Star Wars’ enthusiasts out there) and Peter Mayhew’s Chewbacca, there is the welcomed presence of C3-PO (Anthony Daniels) as well. As for C3-PO’s newest sidekick BB-8, a mechanical rolling ball robot, he is the R2-D2 replacement that should easily win the heart of the kiddies looking for a cute contraption of a companion to treasure on the spot. It should be pointed out that ‘The Force Awakens’ is set 30 years from the last installment and thankfully this update has not lost a magical step since that time. Anyhow, the First Order’s solar system mechanism needs to be destroyed and must be eradicated by the young talents in spunky and pretty Rey (think the athletic female version of Luke Skywalker) as she teams up with former stormtrooper Finn, a warrior with an uncharacteristic compassion for not killing any designated weak soul as instructed. Naturally, this duo (while under the tutelage of the mature and ragged-looking Han Solo) has their hands full as they clash with the nefarious General Hux (Domhnall Gleeson from ‘Brooklyn’) and his Special Forces protégé Kylo Ren that strikes an immediate comparison to ‘Star Wars’ most notorious bad boy in the deliciously ruthless Darth Vader. Daisy Ridley's Rey and John Boyega's Finn are having a blast as the touted twosome out to save the day in J.J. Abram's celebrated STAR WARS reboot THE FORCE AWAKENS Daisy Ridley’s Rey and John Boyega’s Finn are having a blast as the touted twosome out to save the day in J.J. Abram’s celebrated STAR WARS reboot THE FORCE AWAKENS Thankfully, the majority of the audience may recall similar elements in ‘The Force Awakens’ that was touched upon in ‘Star Wars’ editions such as ‘A New Hope’ and ‘Return Of The Jedi’ where the same structure and theme of the plot points are somewhat revisited. As charming and stimulating as ‘The Force Awakens’ appears in its glorious presentation of being a beautifully shot and visually vibrant popcorn piece, the real find in Abrams’ spectacular space-aged spectacle is Ridley’s heroine Rey, whose emotional and physical commitment to this futuristic fable feels grounded in genuine suspense and praise. Ridley has legitimate game and carries this hot and heavy galactic actioner on her sturdy shoulders with the overwhelming pressure of headlining a cinema giant looking the re-enter the consciousness of rabid ‘Star Wars’ aficionados everywhere. Clearly, we are invested in Ridley’s Rey whose feistiness never undercuts her feminine convictions or courageousness. She runs circles around her male co-stars in fellow ‘Star Wars’ newbies Boyega/Finn and Driver/Kylo Ren and her sense of empowerment is what drives the authentic Force behind Abrams’ inherited ‘Star Wars’ workload. ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ gleefully ignites the flashy flames of giddiness that we all associate with George Lucas’ indomitable big screen creation. The signature flourishes from composure John Williams’ commanding musical score to the stunning and innovative technical tweaking to the mixture of the old and new guard in front of the camera all make for an eventful and exciting return to the universal staging for a movie-making moment that will stand the test of time, the immense pop cultural movement at the movies known as ‘Star Wars’. Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) Lucasfilms 2 hrs. 15 mins. Starring: Harrison Ford, Daisy Ridley, Carrie Fisher, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver, Peter Mayhew, Domhnall Gleeson, Lupita Nyong’o, Andy Serkis, Gwendoline Christie, Kenny Baker, Anthony Daniels and Max von Sydow Directed and Co-Written by: J.J. Abrams MPAA Rating: PG-13 Genre: Science Fiction/Action and Adventure/Space Fantasy Critic’s rating: *** stars (out of 4 stars) (c) Frank Ochieng 2015

bodokh

A very entertaining film filled with immensely fun nostalgic moments and lots of laughs, but this is movie is not perfect, no it is not. **Spoiler alert!!** This movie is an exact copy of the 4th one and this frustrates me more than it should. Although new characters and mysteries were introduced, the plot was too similar to the 4th film, but hey, at least they blew up the republic so no more boring bureaucracy! One more thing that bothered me a lot is Kylo ren, not the character, the actor. I mean they couldn't pick an uglier wimp? I mean no offense Adam Driver, but bad guys need to look badass, and once you took of your helmet, you lost all hope of becoming a badass. **Summary:** Definitely a movie worth watching despite minor setbacks.

John Chard

Slumber Earthquake. There really is no point trying to do an in depth review of this, it falls in line with a number of series blockbusters that are guaranteed to garner rabid responses, pro and con. The Force Awakens is a film of many flaws, it has a pungent whiff of safeness about it, the charges of it being a glitzy remake are fair enough, while certain plot strands are frustrating and set to be big talking points for years - and years - to come. Yet what about its worth to someone who is not obsessed with every finer detail? Someone who just loves the Star Wars universe as a spectacle prism of entertainment, and has just wanted a Star Wars film worthy of being fit to sit alongside that original trilogy? This made me feel 11 again, took me back to a time in 1977 when I queued for three hours to see such wonders on the big screen. The Force Awakens is, in spite of the recognised flaws, a loving homage to a past love. It's sly with humour and nods to foundations, a blitzkrieg of effects and sound work (my Blu-ray viewing had my sub-woofer doing a jitterbug in the lounge), and it doesn't shy from surprise or the dangling of the carrot. The makers have big heart and technical invention, the cast vibrant, spunky and strongly committed to the cause - the old hands a very reassuring presence - Yeah, so it's not sci-fi perfection, or any Star Wars geeks' idea of the perfect Star Wars movie (oh J.J. Abrams you devil you!), but it made this middle aged guy shed a tear of happiness. A moment to reaffirm why - as a young lad - I fell in love with film in the first place. 9/10

Bulletproof5FDP

**The Force Awakens: A New Hope 2.0** The highly-anticipated follow-up to the Original Trilogy treads through familiar waters, taking the "safe route" approach. Though The Force Awakens has its fair share of phenomenal moments and is definitely an improvement over the Prequel Trilogy, its reliance on using the Original Trilogy (mainly A New Hope) as a template feels nothing more than an imitation of events that occurred prior. At the end of Return of the Jedi, the Empire suffered a great loss, with the destruction of the Second Death Star and deaths of The Emperor and Darth Vader. It was implied that Luke, the last surviving Jedi, would restart a New Jedi Order (based on Expanded Universe media, which has been declared non-canon by Disney). That is indeed what happens; however, a rogue student of Luke's slaughtered his peers, seduced by the mysterious Supreme Leader Snoke of the First Order and adopts a new identity as Kylo Ren. In summary, the Jedi Order did indeed happen (off-screen), but gets wiped out (off-screen, again), leaving Luke the last surviving Jedi and retreats into exile (off-screen... seeing a pattern?). The Empire is basically resurrected as the First Order, with the Rebel Alliance becoming the Resistance, and once again, they're tasked with destroying a gigantic ball of death. Sounds an awful lot like A New Hope, as a modern-day "soft reboot." Droid carrying top-secret info? Check. Villain dressed in black with mask? Check. Protagonist lives on desert planet? Check. Discover that they're indeed Force-sensitive? Check. Han Solo and Chewbacca escorting our heroes to destination? Check. A cantina featuring a cantina band? Check. Mentor figure (Obi-Wan in ANH, Han Solo in TFA) killed by villain? Check. Battle of Death Star (Yes, I'm calling Starkiller Base a Death Star)? Check. Does big ball of death get destroyed? Check. Rey is indeed a Force-sensitive individual, but throughout the movie, she is just as good a pilot as Han Solo, is able to use a Jedi mind trick with ease, and easily overcomes the villain (Though it could be argued that due to Kylo Ren's injury from Chewbacca, he was weakened). There better be a damn good explanation as to why Rey is so strong with the Force when The Last Jedi is released. Anakin and Luke required training to become a Jedi, Rey is basically a pro with little to absolutely no training. Finn... Though I did enjoy the idea of a Stormtrooper defecting from the First Order and eventually helping out the heroes, Finn got annoying quick. From cringe-worthy lines to his constant "Gotta get away from the First Order" state of mind, he should have been a more battle-hardened individual who eventually became disillusioned with the First Order. His more cowardly approach to defecting wasn't very well-executed. But I gotta admit that the relationship between him and Poe Dameron was well-done. Didn't feel forced, just felt natural. Him standing up to Kylo Ren in a duel made me respect his character a lot more. His battle with the other Stormtrooper was just amazing. I'm honestly hoping his character develops more in The Last Jedi. I liked Poe Dameron from the get-go. From being a smart-ass to Kylo Ren to taking out multiple TIE Fighters, Poe is definitely a welcome new character to the Star Wars universe. Especially BB-8, just an absolute ball of cuteness. BB-8 was one of the two new characters that really stood out to me. Funny how Star Wars manages to make you like the droids so much. Han Solo and Chewbacca play a substantial role in this film. Han Solo's death was beyond tragic, just seeing an iconic character we saw develop from a selfish, Force-denying individual to taking charge in dire times (putting his life on the line). Once Han Solo yelled out his son's name, I knew his time was up. Leia, now a General, doesn't really get much time to shine. She and Han have been broken up for some time now (I'm guessing since Ben Solo became Kylo Ren), but their bantering still remains. C-3PO (now with a red arm) and R2D2 (in low power mode due to Luke's departure) are basically given minimal roles in favor of BB-8. Luke Skywalker made an appearance in the very final moments of the movie, but does not utter a word. Just seeing his expression when Rey hands him his father's lightsaber was more than enough. A quick summary of other characters: Captain Phasma, a more useless female version of Boba Fett. Maz Kanata, a color and gender-swapped Yoda who somehow manages to obtain Anakin's/Luke's lightsaber. Supreme Leader Snoke, a mysterious figure leading the new Empire (sorry, First Order) and first appears as a hologram (like the Emperor). General Hux, deliverer of a Hitler-like speech to his space Nazis. Kylo Ren. In my opinion, Kylo Ren is the best part of the entire movie. Sure he worships his deceased grandfather Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader and flips out into extreme tantrums, he is more than just an ordinary one-dimensional villain. He worships Darth Vader because he wants to carry on his legacy of killing the Jedi and achieve his intimidating status of being a ruthless individual. He is torn by both sides of the Force. He is indeed strong with the Force, stopping blaster shots in mid-air, freezing people in-place, and can probe the minds of others as a method of torture. His unstable crossguard lightsaber is appropriate for his uncontrollable anger and conflicted state of mind. Once he killed Han Solo, there is no hope for him returning back to the Light. He became a full-on evil person. I'm ready to see the damage he will do in The Last Jedi. The action/set pieces were very well-done and that opening sequence with the raid on the Jakku village is one of the best and most chilling moments in all of Star Wars. The Battle of Takodana and the resulting battle was phenomenal and seeing Poe take out multiple TIE Fighters make him an exceptionally skilled pilot, even moreso than Luke. The final battle between Rey/Finn and Kylo Ren didn't feel choreographed at all, just felt like a battle between novices, unlike the highly-choreographed kicks and flips and lightsaber-twirling present in the Prequel Trilogy. Rey and Finn leaving Jakku in the "garbage" ship and the whole sequence through the Star Destroyer graveyard was beyond phenomenal. Though The Force Awakens does indeed take steps forward to move the franchise forward into a new direction, it takes several steps back into familiar territory. And yes, it feels as if I have been ripping on this movie, but in my honest opinion, The Force Awakens is a solid entry to the Star Wars franchise. The action set-pieces were so well-done, the nostalgic factor of the Original Trilogy is prevalent, Kylo Ren proved to be a well-developed villain with room for improvement, and the relationships between the characters feels so organic and fluid-like, as if they're all cohesive with one-another. My Rating: 7.5/10.0

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Votes 4881 (7.4/10)
Release Date 12/14/2016

Details »

The Empire Strikes Back
The Empire Strikes Back
Votes 5796 (8.2/10)
Release Date 5/17/1980

Details »

Star Trek Into Darkness
Star Trek Into Darkness
Votes 4379 (7.4/10)
Release Date 5/5/2013

Details »

Alien
Alien
Votes 4395 (7.9/10)
Release Date 5/25/1979

Details »

Passengers
Passengers
Votes 3816 (6.7/10)
Release Date 12/21/2016

Details »

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Votes 1292 (6.6/10)
Release Date 1/15/2005

Details »

Alien³
Alien³
Votes 1600 (6.2/10)
Release Date 5/22/1992

Details »

Alien: Covenant
Alien: Covenant
Votes 2400 (5.7/10)
Release Date 5/9/2017

Details »

Star Wreck: In the Pirkinning
Star Wreck: In the Pirkinning
Votes 25 (6.6/10)
Release Date 8/20/2005

Details »

The Fifth Element
The Fifth Element
Votes 3808 (7.3/10)
Release Date 5/7/1997

Details »

Avatar
Avatar
Votes 11665 (7.2/10)
Release Date 12/10/2009

Details »

Star Wars
Star Wars
Votes 6543 (8.1/10)
Release Date 5/25/1977

Details »

Aliens
Aliens
Votes 3181 (7.7/10)
Release Date 7/18/1986

Details »

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets
Votes 739 (6.8/10)
Release Date 7/20/2017

Details »

Interstellar
Interstellar
Votes 10592 (8.1/10)
Release Date 11/5/2014

Details »

Return of the Jedi
Return of the Jedi
Votes 4597 (7.9/10)
Release Date 5/23/1983

Details »

John Carter
John Carter
Votes 2085 (6.1/10)
Release Date 3/7/2012

Details »

Transformers: Age of Extinction
Transformers: Age of Extinction
Votes 3060 (5.8/10)
Release Date 6/25/2014

Details »

Star Trek
Star Trek
Votes 4472 (7.4/10)
Release Date 5/6/2009

Details »

Pacific Rim
Pacific Rim
Votes 4709 (6.7/10)
Release Date 7/11/2013

Details »