...I saw STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS, and while it wasn't as great as A NEW HOPE (or the original STAR WARS, if you've been hiding out in a cave for the past 38 years), it was nowhere near as bad as THE PHANTOM MENACE. (Jar Jar Binks?!? Come On, Man!) The problem with MENACE, THE CLONE WARS, and REVENGE OF THE SITH, as well as RETURN OF THE JEDI, is that George Lucas didn't take the franchise seriously enough, while J. J. Abrams, the creator of ALIAS, LOST, PERSON OF INTEREST, and the mastermind behind the STAR TREK reboot, takes it a tad TOO seriously. Still, serious Force acolytes can take heart that Disney hasn't added any (pardon the expressions) goofy or mickey-mouse modifications like the Ewoks or the aforementioned Mr. Binks. (Kudos to Bob Iger for NOT saving Mr. Binks!) Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford magnificently reprise their roles as GENERAL Leia Organa and Han Solo.
Joining the cast are Daisy Ridley as Rey, the spirited young freedom fighter intent on meeting the legendary Luke Skywalker, John Boyega as Finn, a stormtrooper for the dreaded First Order who defects to the light side of the Force, Oscar Isaac as flying ace Poe Dameron, and Adam Driver as Kylo Ren, the son of Han and Leia who defects to the dark side. At times, FORCE tends to mimic its predecessors and come off as derivative, but most of the time, it proves to STAR WARS fans and newbies alike that it can dish out that combination of Saturday-afternoon-edge-of-your-seat excitement and high tech magic. For me, the highlight is when Han steps onto the Milennium Falcon and says, "Chewie...WE'RE HOME!" Longtime STAR WARS fans will also feel at home, although it COULD use a SKOSH more remodeling.
If I were down to my last and I could ONLY buy either a ticket for this movie or a sandwich, I'd buy a ticket.
Live long and...OOPS! I mean, MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU!
Steve out!
