Star Wars: The Force Awakens
2015 · Directed by J.J. Abrams
Original language: English
- adventure
- action
- science fiction
The story
Thirty years after defeating the Galactic Empire, Han Solo and his allies face a new threat from the evil Kylo Ren and his army of Stormtroopers.
What it’s like
Sun-bleached desert planets, rusted scrap yards and cramped starship corridors, shot with warm, flare-streaked lens light that gives the whole film a lived-in, slightly dusty glow. Its images lean on anamorphic widescreen compositions, sweeping aerial shots of Jakku's dunes and the slow reveal of a shattered super-weapon, while the John Williams-inspired score swells in big brass fanfares that quiet down into intimate moments on the Millennium Falcon. The vibe is nostalgic adventure with a hopeful undertow, the kind of comfort-rewatch blockbuster that suits a weekend afternoon or a long-haul flight. Pacing is brisk and often breathless, with chases, dogfights and lightsaber duels punctuating quieter scenes of banter and loss. Its arcs follow a scavenger discovering her own strength and a stormtrooper deciding he will not fight for the wrong side. Violence is frequent but largely bloodless, with blaster battles, explosions and a few deaths handled with restraint, and the menace of Kylo Ren's masked intensity is more unnerving than gory. It suits fans of classic space opera who want spectacle and warmth in equal measure.
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