Hot Take: Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Hot Take: The most sobering thought to come from viewing Star Wars: The Force Awakens is how much better the series maybe could have been if George Lucas would have handed over the reigns of Episodes I-III to someone else. Breathe easy, folks. Star Wars: The Force Awakens reboots the franchise very much in the way the original Star Wars: A New Hope launched the franchise.

Admittedly, heading into Episode VII of the greatest movie franchise in the history of cinema, nervousness set in. The first three films released were a big factor in why I loved the movie theater. My brother tells a story about my viewing a Star Wars film when I was in my single-digit years eating popcorn kernel by kernel with my eyes so fixated on the screen, it looked as if I was trying to look through to the other side. About two-thirds of the way through The Force Awakens, I noticed I was no longer utilizing the recline feature of my premium seating and was actually sitting on the edge of my seat once again glued to the screen.

Since it’s release, I’ve seen Star Wars: The Force Awakens three times. Each experience (once in 3D, once on a very small screen in a theater with only 6 rows, once in 2D stadium seating with digital sound) was unique and provided a different feel for the film. All of them were wonderful, satisfying and a reminder of why I love going to the movies.

There’s really no reason to provide a lengthy review of such a film. No one is “on the fence” when it comes to Star Wars as you’re either in or you’re out. That being said, let’s jump right to:

“Spoiler Free” Pros

• BB-8
  The best part of Episode VII are the new characters introduced. Unlike Episodes I-III which seemed to cram in new characters for the sake of marketing (paging Jar Jar Binks), Episode VII’s new characters fit well within the storyline.
• Rey
  What if Luke wasn’t a whiny brat in Episode IV? Introducing Rey who obviously has “The Force” flowing through her unconsciously but possesses a calm and maturity more fitting of the character who is likely to become the central figure in the latest arc in the story.
• Bridging Generations
  I can’t quite remember what I thought of Episode IV and V the first time I saw them other than what my brother told me. I do remember seeing Return of the Jedi and how much I loved the experience. To me, Episode VII’s continuation of the universe wasn’t something that will only appeal to fans of the franchise but also introduce new fans as, unlike I-III, does not require an investment in any of the previous films.

“Spoiler Free” Cons

• 17 Months
  We have to wait 17 freaking months for Episode VIII?