Star Wars: The Force Awakens Review
RYAN: If you follow me at all, you know I get my groove on for The Wizard of Oz, so most of my obsessive energy goes there. I am, however, hyper-aware and appreciative of the cultural relevance and phenomenon of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The original Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope was the first film I saw in the theater. I’ve seen all six theatrically and enjoyed them (including Jar Jar Binks, don’t hate!). But for several reasons, one being key – The Force Awakens is the best Star Wars yet!
CAROLINE: Stop it. Better than The Empire Strikes Back?
RYAN: Yes! For all that I’m barely a fan, the instant the film sparked on screen and that iconic musical score began, I almost burst out in tears!
Yes! The key is Disney. Taking over for George Lucas worked. This sequel is more like an impressive reboot, keeping everything we’re nostalgic about in the classic series while infusing fresh life, humor and suspense into it.
CAROLINE: Clearly it’s destined to be the biggest movie ever.
RYAN: That’s all due to the fan base and brilliant marketing. We’ve been bombarded by merchandising the last several months. And I’d argue this film would do as well without all of that, but the licensing market went bananas this time around. I’ve never seen anything like it.
CAROLINE: Nor have I. So you like what Disney did with it?
RYAN: Yes – they hired JJ Abrams to co-write and direct. He really takes it to new heights, and not only with the effects. I’d almost say the effects were conservative – never over the top but always honoring the story. There are breathtaking space moments but visually, it’s all more like the original trilogy from the 1970s than the three prequels.
CAROLINE: It’s amazing how people are clamoring for this movie!
RYAN: Not only is this the best in the franchise, and I will detail why, but it’s smart business – they can keep it going for as many sequels as they like. This movie is giving everyone just what they want: a sequel, more like the originals than the prequels, the old cast is back… it ticks off every geek’s wish list. I will say I was hoping for Ewoks and there were none.
CAROLINE: They are awfully cute. So how is it seeing Han Solo, Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia again?
RYAN: Magical! Sublime! Like a dream come true, you know? It would be like having Judy Garland still alive for a Wizard of Oz sequel. While they are supporting characters this time around, there is plenty of them in the film, to please everyone. And they’re great.
CAROLINE: How about the new cast?
RYAN: The cast and the story is wonderful. I’m not the biggest fan of Adam Driver but he’s fine. I just love that the leads are a female and a black man! It’s like Disney doing The Princess and the Frog with an African American princess, or showing in Frozen, that true love does’ have to be between lovers. This is a progressive Star Wars and I really loved that. They’re both English actors – John Boyega and Daisy Ridley, who is absolutely brilliant! Her eyes are so big and her face so expressive. She’s tough and real. Their chemistry with the cast and even the androids is excellent.
CAROLINE: Did you see Jabba the hut?
RYAN: (laughs) Leai killed him in Return of the Jedi. No. But there are many familiar looking aliens and creatures and no CGI character has an integral part. It looked like they employed some of the original-style puppetry and makeup.
CAROLINE: That’s cool. People are gonna be thrilled.
RYAN: They got the tone right, the pacing is good but they could have shaved about 20 minutes out of it, almost entirely from a fight and chase scene in the middle. All the spaceship scenes are cool. And the environments and costumes are also well done.
CAROLINE: How did Carrie Fisher look?
RYAN: Wonderful. I love her. One surprising thing about the movie is that it’s really funny. The comedic lines are very consistent throughout and that makes it fun – it’s like JJ took a page from Joss Whedon and throws in the funny without breaking the tension.
CAROLINE: Were there any weak links in the cast?
RYAN: No. I would have liked to have actually seen Lupita Nyong’o. She voices an alien character. But this movie really makes you realize all the more how wooden and awkward Natalie Portman and Hayden Christensen were in those prequels. This movie is so good, it makes those subpar Star Wars films even less palatable.
CAROLINE: It’s nice you don’t do spoilers but I am curious about what happens with everyone in this movie. It won’t be long till its all out there.
RYAN: There are some big plot moves and some nice surprises. Star Wars always wove a great web of good versus evil – the dark side versus the light. And the saga continues in a fantastic way: old new, funny, endearing – Star Wars is back on track!
