Movie Review of Star Wars: The Force Awakens

By Meghan Cusack

Thirty-eight years ago, the world was introduced to a galaxy far, far away. There, we met a farmer on Tatooine named Luke Skywalker. Skywalker and his friends Han and Leia, went on to be three of the most iconic characters in cinematic history. After the notorious prequels and cartoon television spin-offs, the original trio is back for another set of adventures. However, they are not the main characters anymore; in The Force Awakens, we meet a new group of characters who will soon become the new heroes of Star Wars for a new generation of fans. I have personally seen the movie twice now and can say that I found it enjoyable. After seeing the original three films back in elementary school, I became a fan and was ecstatic for the release of the new movies. Without going into too much detail of the film (so I do not spoil it for those who have yet to see it), there are a few things that I would like to say about this film. The direction that JJ Abrams took with the new plot was somewhat bold but it paid off. The most likable new character was the female lead, Rey, played by Daisy Ridley. She was one of the better developed characters due to her complex backstory and overall personality. Rey definitely seems to be set to be the main protagonist of the new set of Star Wars movies.

The other new character that dominated the screen was Finn, portrayed by John Boyega. He did not give off the same type of heroic vibe as Rey did, but his character definitely seems like one to watch- he has the potential to be another iconic and memorable character of the saga. Out of the returning Star Wars cast members, a group that included Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford was the most enjoyable to watch. Ford still felt like Han Solo and brought the same humor and charm that he brought to the previous films. To be able to see him and Chewbacca to pilot the Millennium Falcon again was truly a nostalgic moment for fans. On its opening day of December 18th, the film grossed $119.1 million, marking the first time a film has earned more than $100 million in a single day. After five days, it had earned $529 million worldwide- the biggest worldwide opening of any film. It has a 94% approval rating on film critic website Rotten Tomatoes. To those who have yet to see the new film, I would highly recommend that you go see it. For those who have yet to see the originals, I would recommend watching them prior to seeing the new film.