Tread carefully. My perspective may be skewed with fandom, but I speak from that position with resolve. If you wish to avoid specific reactions, do not read further. I will comment on my general opinion of the film. I have yet to read or watch any reviews of the film, although I am aware that it has received raving responses and an overwhelming outpouring of positivity.
J.J. Abrams asked his production team what they wanted to feel in this new instalment. They wanted that same feeling they had from watching the original trilogy. A series of words come to my mind when I think about that feeling: adventure, wonder, humour, emotion, passion, good, evil, and pride. I believe every element of the original trilogy exists within The Force Awakens in these same ways. Fans have waited years to experience the Star Wars universe again, and decades in proper form. It is without question that this film has restored balance to the Force.
I do not want to comment on the details of the story or the crucial plot points, but it is still fair to note that some things are unavoidable. Of course, major spoilers will be avoided entirely, so fear not. Nevertheless, do not read further if you wish to remain as fresh as possible at this stage. So, shall we?Star Wars: The Force Awakens hits every beat from the opening crawl to the triumphant credits. Everything is flying at light speed while remaining simple in the same fashion as the first film. Maybe the clever marketing has developed a certain level of understanding for each of the new main characters, but I felt like I knew them when they first appeared on screen. It was intentional, but it was exciting to identify Finn in his stormtrooper gear. It was thrilling to see Poe Dameron look into the blackness of Kylo Ren's mask and crack the film's first joke. It was nostalgic and mysterious to see Rey for the first time as she scavenged, sold and lived amidst junk and artifacts of a bygone era in the galaxy. I spotted an old TIE Pilot's helmet in the sand and I fell down the rabbit hole of depth within the world that didn't need explanation. And that wasn't the only thing that caught my eye.
The chemistry between Rey, Finn and even BB-8 played a major role in immersing the audience in this new tale. Their dialogue was colloquial and well-timed, but it never strayed from what would be deemed appropriate for the Star Wars universe. The film is full of humour for long-time fans with callbacks to famous scenes or lines of dialogue, but there is also enough to keep the newcomers included in the fun. Each interaction felt fresh and accessible because the characters resembled elements of ourselves rather than archetypical cutouts necessary for the plot. They all have stories that are worth telling; some that have been in this film, and others that will be in time. Kylo Ren remains the most intriguing character in my opinion as his history unfolds very closely with the core story. He is filled with a rage that even Darth Vader did not exhibit, and it makes him unstable as the primary villain. His motivations are not clear, and even to himself it seems. The fury displayed by his lightsaber is a clear reflection of his tormented soul and his actions portray it just as overtly.
The film carried a pace that never stumbled, and a continuity that did not confuse the story. In terms of Abrams's direction, The Force Awakens is beautifully shot and crafted. I know some people were worried that it would look like JJ's efforts on Star Trek and of course the lens flare jokes were rampant for a while, but none of this is a concern. The film feels and looks so much like Star Wars that there is no discernible "JJ Stamp" on it, other than his name in the credits. Come to think of it, the fact that is was so true to the franchise is directly linked to JJ because he became a filmmaker having been inspired by Star Wars.
If there is one thing I am disappointed by, it is Captain Phasma. Gwendoline Christie as a Star Wars villain just screams "awesome" and Phasma's greatest moment comes early in the film and it eventually falls short. I jokingly predicted that she would be the Boba Fett of the sequel trilogy, appearing briefly and not living up to the wild expectations of fans such as myself. It is to my own dismay that she is very much like Boba Fett in this film and for all the wrong reason. Rather than putting on a display of leadership or aggressive combat skills, she is used in a third act development that involved a (rather good callback) joke to release some tension before boiling over in the scenes that followed. Alas, I don't think we have seen the last of Captain Phasma, so I will reserve my worries. The elusive Supreme Leader Snoke is one character I would like to see explored further, which is sure to come. General Hux actually defies the idea that no one is entirely evil, only differently moral, as he is a rather fiery evil man with purely evil intentions. But they didn't say that about Hitler when he rose to power.
In short, I loved The Force Awakens. It is a triumphant return to the big screen for one of the most beloved franchises in film history and it did not fall short of expectations. Instead, I would argue that it exceeded mine. I would place this instalment up on top with the likes of Star Wars and only just narrowly beneath The Empire Strikes Back because that film is perfection (and the product of an already great world created in the first much like TFA). The Force Awakens should not be passed over. It won't be. That's absurd. Haven't seen it? Go, you scoundrel! I saw it in IMAX 3D which is definitely worth a screening if you get the opportunity.
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