Star Wars: The Force Awakens a sense of hope and wonder

No spoilers – so read on!
Nostalgic exuberance best describes the latest chapter in the Star Wars saga. From the beginning director JJ Abrams throws the audience back to their childhood. When Star Wars presented hope and wonder that influenced numerous generations.

The opening scene harks to the original film – creating an eerie foreboding. SW fans sense the dark side still has a strong presence in the galaxy. Even though the Emperor and Vader have perished, the First Order has risen to take hold of the power vacuum.  The legendary actor, Max von Sydow, reminds us the Force is out of balance and warns Resistance pilot, Poe Dameron.  A new character introduced by Abrams while interspersing old favorites.  There is no heavy handiness to his method of reintroducing favorite characters – organic and inorganic.  Viewers will appreciate the comedic comradery of stormtrooper Fin (John Boyega) and the fiercely independent Rae(Daisy Ridley). Both have somber pasts that offer only vague insights to the last 30 years. It tantalizes the audience and reminds fans what has happened to Luke, Leia, Han and Chewbacca?

With all the action and nostalgia, Episode 7′s story focuses clearly on this fan’s primary question, the influential role of the Force throughout the galaxy. “The Force Awakens” begins seeding this question in the minds of the audience. Essentially, how can a dying “faith” as stated in Episode 4 (the original Star Wars) come back from the brink of extinction? What role does it play 30 years after Episode 6, “Return of the Jedi.”

Masterfully, Abrams shows us the wonder and terror of the Force throughout Episode 7. Like First Order warrior and leader, Kylo Ren (played by Adam Driver), the audience is unsure of the present situation. Although Kylo Ren is a menacing master of the dark force, his lightsaber unsheathed shows the shakiness of his path. Looking closely the audience can see the serrated edges of his lightsaber. Nothing like the clean perfect lines of his predecessors and their light sabers. Episode 7 is introducing fans to a whole new aspect of the Force. 

With the latest CGI technology balanced with amazing real life-size sets, the technical crew of this film is truly the shining stars. In some ways they steal many scenes.  “The Force Awakens” sends the audience to spectacular terrains and harsh landscapes without the need of supercomputers crunching vast data. The landscapes, like John William’s virtuoso score, set the emotional pitch throughout the film.  

The Force is everywhere; it surrounds us and binds us. Episode 7 shows us again how it can be a sense of hope and wonder.
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Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Episode 7) review in IMAX 3D by benMUSA
Starring Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill,Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong'o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Max von Sydow

​#HARRISON FORD #MARK HAMILL #CARRIE FISHER #ADAM DRIVER #DAISY RIDLEY #JOHN BOYEGA #OSCAR ISAAC #LUPITA NYONG'O #J.J. ABRAMS #GEORGE LUCAS #STAR WARS #THE FORCE AWAKENS