Star Wars Episode VII : The Force Awakens

December 17th 2015 - Bolton - 00:05

Grauman's Chinese Theatre, LA, 1977.  Thousands of unaware fans lined up around the block to watch a new benchmark in cinematic history.  What they encountered was visual effects that rivalled anything they had seen before.  Mind's were blown away by what they had seen and the adventure that accompanied them spoke to the hearts of millions

Cineworld, Bolton, 2015.  With every seat taken and extra screens opened for the midnight screening of the next episode in the franchise that had been tarnished more than blessed, I sat in the midst of Star Wars t-shirts, hoodies and two guys who had taken it a little too far, thinking to myself....."Help us obi JJ Kenobi, you're our only hope".  I can say that just over two hours later I knew how the 1977 queuing masses felt, I had just been blown away by visual beauty, stunned by dog fights of mesmeric wonder, witnessed an adventure that had heart but I also had a sense that through all the nostalgia it seemed ever so familiar.  In fact, with hidden plans, super bases and helmeted villains it seemed very familiar indeed.

I am not one to give away any spoilers, and feel that Episode VII is something that most of the population will get some great enjoyment out of, so talking about the plot will be for another reviewer to do, for me this film was either going to go two ways

The way of the Jedi - realising what captured the imaginations of all the people who love and grew up with the original trilogy.  Understanding that fancy green screen effects and shiny CGI holds nothing without character and emotional connection.  Effects are there to increase the world's environment not to be the focal point.  In 1977, although the effects ILM created were mindbogglingly amazing for the time, they were limited and only used when necessary

The way of the Menace - back in 1999, just after Lucas had decided to butcher the original trilogy for the first time, I queued for the midnight screening of the phantom menace.  I remember leaving confused.  I should have loved it, but what was it about...and why? Plastic characters already resembling their Kenner counterparts, no depth and the most confusing and convoluted plot. Little thought put into story and characters. Instead of blowing me away, I felt like I had watched a cartoon.

The Force Awakens cannot hide from the fact that it is an almost replica of the first two film combined.  Note for note copies of plot points, character motivations and even a cantina (although missing a favourite amputee).  Yet, it has it's extra slices of brilliance thrown in for good measure.

I was fearful of the main character having attended the Hayden Christian School of acting as her first scene followed two acting greats Max Von Sydow and Oscar Isaac and she really didn't not hold up, but as the film progressed I slowly began to forgive her and as the character grew so did my compassion for her.

Thankfully, all though not perfect, JJ has created something magical again.  Reinvigorating the love of Star Wars that has always been with me but reliant on the strength of the first (chronologically) two and a half films. Thankfully there are now three and a half great Star Wars films, which put them in the majority!