Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Three decades after the defeat of the Galactic Empire, a new threat arises. The First Order attempts to rule the galaxy and only a ragtag group of heroes can stop them, along with the help of the Resistance.
Cast
Harrison Ford – Hans Solo
Carrie Fisher – General Leia Organa
Daisy Ridley – Rey
Adam Driver – Kylo Ren
Domhnall Gleeson – General Hux
John Boyega – Finn
Mark Hamill – Luke Skywalker
Andy Serkis – Supreme Leader Snoke
Hype Wars
As millions of people around the world were shitting themselves at the prospect of a brand new Star Wars movie, I wasn’t as enthused – and simply prepared myself for a sci-fi movie no better, no worse than most other standard sci-fi movies I’ve seen.
And that is what I got.
That’s right people, Star Wars: The Force Awakens is a movie. Containing aliens, spaceships, lightsabers, outer space and known actors. It’s absolutely nothing I haven’t seen before.
In fact, who hasn’t seen people running across desert before?..
Who hasn’t seen spaceships firing lasers before?..
Who hasn’t witnessed slightly surprising family revelations?..
Who hasn’t enjoyed glossy special effects?..
Who hasn’t relished two actors coming together after many years apart to re-ignite an old story?..
Yes. Star Wars: The Force Awakens is just a movie, people. Unless of course you’re unhealthily obsessed with the franchise – then it’s just incredible. Obviously.
I left the cinema feeling no more entertained than I expected, and honestly couldn’t fathom what all the hype had been about.
On a negative note, I was bored. I was simply sat staring at bright colours and desperate characters running around sandy plains, trying to be all righteous. Even the cute robot ball thing couldn’t provide me with entertainment. But as this is a film review, I bring you the negative and the positives..
Acting Up
One thing that stood out for me was just how good the acting was during this movie. I won’t lie – I was completely won over by performances from Gleeson and Driver, both men giving it their all whenever playing out a scene. In very theatrical fashion, both men (Gleeson mostly) held themselves with rigid posture and spoke with deep, amplified voices and stern facial expressions. In fact, Gleeson differed so vastly from other characters he’s played, that I had to double-take to identify him. Both actors upped their performance skills for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Very good stuff.
Daisy Ridley who plays Rey may have landed her first official role in one of the world’s biggest movies, but that doesn’t mean she was the better actor. And in fact, I have seen better.
The actress spends most of her first few scenes mooching around with almost childlike facial expressions. Sad wide eyes and an open mouth give her an image of a character who belongs in a Disney flick for younger audiences, not a darkness epic. For what it’s worth though, Ridley delivers where she’s supposed to. Usually dripping with sweat, she runs from one scene to another whilst swinging weapons and bringing enough impact to keep viewers entertained. I won’t lie – she’s watchable and effective. She just seems a little too delicate to be in a movie like this; out of place.
Some scenes between her and Finn were way too cheesy also; delivering uneasy moments and lines that made me cringe. This was where the story strayed from sci-fi and became strange comedy.
And of course, those two..
I’m not overly into Star Wars personally, but I could feel the excitement of viewers in the auditorium as General Leia and Hans Solo came face to face for the first time in years. I’m no fan but their reunion was certainly a special moment as she stepped out of her space craft and faced him. Fans of the series will no doubt enjoy this.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens wasn’t a terrible watch. But it wasn’t overly thrilling either. It’s a standard sci-fi action flick which delivers the right amount of alien antics like space fights, swooping air crafts and laser beams. It contains just enough fight scenes and lightsaber swinging too, which should keep action-loving viewers happy.
The main element I liked was how it was modernised – this movie has been brought into 2015 with a fresh cast, and modern-day special effects and humour which really boosts and re-shapes its image.
Would I watch it again?
No.
Even not being a fan, Star Wars: The Force Awakens did nothing to change my opinion of the whole series or franchise, nor did it leave me craving more lightsaber action. Oh, if you are a fan I have no doubt you’ll think it’s worthy of an Oscar. But it wasn’t my thing. I mean fair’s fair, it’s a movie – but it’s not fucking liquid gold. I honestly don’t see what all the hype is about.
And probably never will.
Ricky's Film Reviews 
Steven Cheetham. hi ricky just had a read of star wars review yes fair i liked it still but spot on,Can see what you mean and just wonder if disney will do with it now anyway be lucky mate. i will read posts before paying out in future