Star Wars. Episode VII: The Force Awakens (2015)

"Every generation has a story."

Directed by J. J. Abrams
Produced by Kathleen Kennedy, J. J. Abrams, Bryan Burk
Written by Lawrence Kasdan, J. J. Abrams, Michael Arndt
Based on "Characters" by George Lucas
Starring: Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong'o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, Max von Sydow
Music by John Williams
Cinematography: Dan Mindel
Edited by Mary Jo Markey, Maryann Brandon
Production companies: Lucasfilm Ltd., Bad Robot Productions
Distributed by Walt Disney Studios, Motion Pictures
Release date: 18 December 2015 (United States)
Running time: 135 minutes
Country: United States
Budget: $200 million
Box office: $1,998,031,469

"Star Wars. Episode VII: The Force Awakens" is an action adventure fantasy film directed, co-produced, and co-written by J. J. Abrams. It's the seventh installment in the main "Star Wars" film series which tells the story of the First Order that attempts to rule the galaxy and only a rag-tag group of heroes can stop them, along with the help of the Resistance.

Cast

• Harrison Ford as Han Solo
• Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker
• Carrie Fisher as General Leia Organa
• Adam Driver as Kylo Ren
• Daisy Ridley as Rey
• John Boyega as Finn
• Oscar Isaac as Poe Dameron
• Lupita Nyong'o as Maz Kanata
• Andy Serkis as Supreme Leader Snoke
• Domhnall Gleeson as General Hux
• Anthony Daniels as C-3PO
• Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca
• Max von Sydow as Lor San Tekka

The most desired film of 2015 is not "Jurassic World" (sorry, Chris Pratt) - undoubtedly it's the seventh episode of George Lucas' splendid creation. As I'm a big fan of "a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away", I was having goose bumps all over from the opening crawl to the сlosing credits. And what? I got everything except disappointment (which I had been afraid of before the premiere): a lot of Easter eggs, the atmosphere of 1980s, the sense of galactic adventures, quite simple and clear - all of these is in the spirit of the original trilogy. And I'm so, so, so happy...

However I must say two things which worry me: the first one is Kylo Ren who isn't similar to any previous "Star Wars" villain as he's still a hysterical maximalist (not like Anakin), but I don't think it's a disadvantage, just an exciting change; but wait, I hate him because of what he did with his father... As for the second one, it's Harrison Ford, or not, it's not right - not Ford, but my memory of him from 1980s is vivid as before. And now he's 73. I know it's impossible to act contrary to nature but... By the way, I'm not an ageist so what the heck am I talking about? Han Solo seems the same - impudent, witty but wiser and I can't want more.

Advantages

• Harrison Ford as Han Solo
• Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker
• Carrie Fisher as General Leia Organa
• Adam Driver as Kylo Ren
• Daisy Ridley as Rey
• John Boyega as Finn
• Oscar Isaac as Poe Dameron
• Peter Mayhew as Chewbacca
• Music
• The atmosphere
• Star Wars!
• Millennium Falcon!
• Han Solo!
• Lightsabers!

Disadvantages

• Too similar to "A New Hope"
• Han Solo's death

"Strangenesses"

• Is the Galactic Empire invincible?
• Where's Lupita Nyong'o? Maz Kanata. Oh, got it.

Clue Moments

• 30 years after
• Luke Skywalker's disappearance
• The First Order
• Poe Dameron
• BB-8
• Finn's insubordination
• Jakku
• The Millennium Falcon
• Han Solo and Chewbacca
• The Jedi Order
• Maz Kanata
• The lightsaber
• General Hux
• Kylo Ren
• Darth Vader's helmet
• Starkiller Base
• Rey using the Force
• Daniel Craig?
• Han Solo's death
• R2-D2's awakening
• The map
• Luke Skywalker

The events depicted in Star Wars media take place in a fictional galaxy. Many species of alien creatures (often humanoid) are depicted. Robotic droids are also commonplace and are generally built to serve their owners. Space travel is common, and many planets in the galaxy are members of a Galactic Republic, later reorganized as the Galactic Empire.

One of the prominent elements of Star Wars is "the Force", an omnipresent energy that can be harnessed by those with that ability, known as Force-sensitives. It is described in the first produced film as "an energy field created by all living things which surrounds us, penetrates us, and binds the galaxy together." The Force allows users to perform various supernatural feats (such as telekinesis, clairvoyance, precognition, and mind control) and can amplify certain physical traits, such as speed and reflexes; these abilities vary between characters and can be improved through training. While the Force can be used for good, it has a dark side that, when pursued, imbues users with hatred, aggression, and malevolence.

The six films feature the Jedi, who use the Force for good, and the Sith, who use the dark side for evil in an attempt to take over the galaxy. In the Star Wars expanded universe, many dark side users are Dark Jedi rather than Sith, mainly because of the "Rule of Two".

Opening Crawl

"Luke Skywalker has vanished. In his absence, the sinister FIRST ORDER has risen from the ashes of the Empire and will not rest until Skywalker, the last Jedi, has been destroyed.

With the support of the REPUBLIC, General Leia Organa leads a brave RESISTANCE. She is desperate to find her brother Luke and gain his help in restoring peace and justice to the galaxy.

Leia has sent her most daring pilot on a secret mission to Jakku, where an old ally has discovered a clue to Luke's whereabouts...."

Soundtracks

1. John Williams - Main Title and the Attack on the Jakku Village
2. John Williams - The Scavenger
3. John Williams - I Can Fly Anything
4. John Williams - Rey Meets BB-8
5. John Williams - Follow Me
6. John Williams - Rey's Theme
7. John Williams - The Falcon
8. John Williams - That Girl with the Staff
9. John Williams - The Rathtars!
10. John Williams - Finn's Confession
11. John Williams - Maz's Counsel
12. John Williams - The Starkiller
13. John Williams - Kylo Ren Arrives at the Battle
14. John Williams - The Abduction
15. John Williams - Han and Leia
16. John Williams - March of the Resistance
17. John Williams - Snoke
18. John Williams - On the Inside
19. John Williams - Torn Apart
20. John Williams - The Ways of the Force
21. John Williams - Scherzo for X-Wings
22. John Williams -  Farewell and the Trip
23. John Williams - The Jedi Steps and Finale

Quotations

* * *

Han Solo: [stepping into the Millennium Falcon] Chewie, we're home.

* * *

Rey: You will remove these restraints and leave this cell with the door open.
Stormtrooper: What did you say?
Rey: You will remove these restraints and leave this cell with the door open.
Stormtrooper: I will tighten these restraints, scavenger scum!
Rey: You will remove these restraints and leave this cell with the door open.
Stormtrooper: I will remove these restraints and leave this cell with the door open.
[he does so]
Rey: You will drop your gun.
Stormtrooper: And I'll drop my gun.

* * *

Finn: We'll figure it out, we'll use the Force!
Han Solo: That's not how the Force works!

* * *

Luke Skywalker: The Force is strong in my family. My father has it. I have it. My sister has it. You have that power, too.

* * *

Rey: This is the ship that made the Kessel Run in fourteen parsecs?
Han Solo: TWELVE!
Han Solo: [mumbles in irritation] Fourteen...

* * *

Finn: [asking about Phasma] What should we do with her?
Han Solo: Is there a garage chute... or trash compactor?

* * *

Poe Dameron: Why are you helping me?
Finn: Because it's the right thing to do.
Poe Dameron: ...You need a pilot.
Finn: I need a pilot.

* * *

Rey: There are stories about what happened.
Han Solo: It's true. All of it. The Dark Side, the Jedi. They're real.

* * *

Supreme Leader Snoke: There's been an awakening. Have you felt it? The Dark side, and the Light.

* * *

Kylo Ren: Forgive me. I feel it again... the call from light. Supreme Leader senses it. Show me again the power of the darkness, and I'll let nothing stand in our way. Show me, grandfather, and I will finish what you started.
[looks at Darth Vader's helmet]

* * *

Rey: This is the Millennium Falcon! You're Han Solo!
Han Solo: I used to be.

* * *

Han Solo: Escape now; hug later.

* * *

Finn: Han Solo, the Rebellion General?
Rey: No! The smuggler!

* * *

Rey: I've already fixed it.
Finn: Well can you un-fix it?

* * *

Han Solo: I've got a bad feeling about this.

* * *

Supreme Leader Snoke: Bring me Kylo Ren. It's time to complete his training.

* * *

Han Solo: Well, you tell them that Han Solo just stole back the Millennium Falcon, for good!

* * *

Maz Kanata: [to Rey] The Force, it's calling to you. Just let it in.

* * *

Han Solo: How do we blow it up? There's always a way to do that.

* * *

C-3PO: Oh dear friend, you don't know how happy I am to see you.

* * *

Finn: I was raised to do one thing... but I've got nothing to fight for.

* * *

Kylo Ren: The droid... stole a freighter?

* * *

Finn: Can you fly a TIE Fighter?
Poe Dameron: I can fly anything.

* * *

Maz Kanata: I have lived long enough to see the same eyes in different people. I see your eyes... I know your eyes!

* * *

Leia: Hope is not lost today... it is found.

* * *

Leia: [to Han Solo] Luke is a Jedi, but you are his father.

* * *

Leia: Rey, may the Force be with you.

* * *

Finn: Ok, stay calm... stay calm...
Poe Dameron: I am calm.
Finn: I was talking to myself.

* * *

[Finn wields Luke Skywalker's lightsaber]
Kylo Ren: That lightsaber belongs to me!
Finn: Come and get it!

* * *

Han Solo: You'll need this...
[passes a blaster to Rey]

* * *

Kylo Ren: I will fulfill our destiny.

* * *

Maz Kanata: Who are you?
Rey: I'm no one.

* * *

Han Solo: You changed your hair!
Leia: Same jacket!

* * *

Rey: [at BB-8] Where do you come from?

* * *

Maz Kanata: Han Solo! Where's my boyfriend?
Han Solo: Chewie's working on the ship.

* * *

[sees Takodana for the first time]
Rey: I didn't think there was this much green in the whole galaxy...

* * *

Finn: [referring to Han] Was he a Rebellion leader?
Chewbacca: [shrugs and growls "I don't know"]

* * *

Finn: Come with me.
Rey: Don't go.

* * *

Leia: You know, as much as we fought, I always hated it when you left.
Han Solo: That's why I did it, so that you'd miss me.
Leia: I do miss you.

* * *

Rey: [overjoyed] You're offering me a job?
Han Solo: I'm considering it!

* * *

Finn: Hey, Solo. I'm not sure what we're walking into here...
Han Solo: Did you just call me "Solo"?
Finn: I'm sorry, Han. Mr. Solo. You should know I'm a big deal in the Resistance, which puts a real target on my back. Are there any conspirators here? Like First Order sympathizers?
Han Solo: Listen, "big deal". You got another problem. Women always figure out the truth. Always.

* * *

Rey: We will meet again soon, my friend. Thank you, my friend.
[kisses Finn]

* * *

C-3PO: [comes between Han and Leia] General Solo, it is such an honor to see you again.
[Leia motions to C3PO to get out of the way]

* * *

Lead Stormtrooper: [to Finn] TRAITOR!

* * *

Rey: [to Kylo] You're afraid... because you'll never be as powerful as Darth Vader!

* * *

Poe Dameron: Why are you helping me?
Finn: Because it's the right thing to do.

* * *

Finn: [to Han] You knew Luke Skywalker of the Resistance. You can help us.

* * *

[Finn tries to treat a wounded Chewbacca, but he gets attacked]
Finn: He nearly killed me five times!... Ok, four.

* * *

Finn: What about that ship?
Rey: That one's garbage
[ship blows up]
Finn: The garbage will do
[shows Millennium Falcon]

* * *

[Poe is captured and brought to Kylo Ren who kneels down and stares]
Poe Dameron: ...Do I talk first or you talk first? I talk first?

* * *

Han Solo: [walks up to Kylo Ren] BEN!
Kylo Ren: [Stops and turns around] Han Solo

* * *

Han Solo: Ben!
Kylo Ren: Han Solo. I've been waiting for this day for a long time.
Han Solo: Take off that mask. You don't need it.
Kylo Ren: What do you think you'll see if I do?
Han Solo: The face of my son.
Kylo Ren: Your son is gone. He was weak and foolish like his father, so I destroyed him.
Han Solo: That's what Snoke wants you to believe, but it's not true. My son is alive.
Kylo Ren: No. The Supreme Leader is wise.
Han Solo: Snoke is using you for your power. When he gets what he wants, he'll crush you. You know it's true.
Kylo Ren: It's too late.
Han Solo: No, it's not. Leave here with me. Come home. We miss you.
Kylo Ren: I'm being torn apart. I want to be free of this pain. I know what I have to do but I don't know if I have the strength to do it. Will you help me?
Han Solo: Yes. Anything.

* * *

General Hux: Today is the end of the Republic. The end of a regime that acquiesces to disorder. At this very moment in a system far from here, the New Republic lies to the galaxy while secretly supporting the treachery of the rogues of the Resistance. This fierce machine which you have built, upon which we stand will bring an end to the Senate, to their cherished fleet. All remaining systems will bow to the First Order and will remember this as the last day of the Republic!

* * *

Kylo Ren: Look how old you've become.
Lor San Tekka: Something far worse has happened to you.
Kylo Ren: You know what I've come for.
Lor San Tekka: I know where you come from, before you called yourself "Kylo Ren".
Kylo Ren: The map to Skywalker. We know you found it. And now you're going to give it to the First Order.
Lor San Tekka: The First Order rose from the Dark Side. You did not.
Kylo Ren: I'll show you the Dark Side.
Lor San Tekka: You may try. But you cannot the truth that is your family.
Kylo Ren: You're so right.

* * *

You may see the trailer here.

Plot: 7/10

Entertainment: 9/10

Acting: 8/10

Originality: 8/10

Music and Sound: 9/10

8/10

previous Star Wars. Episode VI: Return Of The Jedi (1983)