The Force Awakens

I know that countless reviews have been posted already. That lists of the awesome moments, and biggest faults are all over the internet. That interviews, the trailers, the books, the toys... You really can't escape it.



And you know what? I'm okay with that.

Because I saw it, and it was good.

JJ Abrams did a good job bringing Star Wars back to the big screen, and restoring balance to the force after the Dark Times of the prequels. And I say this as a Star Trek fan who grudgingly got through Star Trek (2009) and really hated Into Darkness. And it's interesting how many of the things I liked about The Force Awakens I hated in Abrams' Star Trek. Mainly, the callbacks and references to what came before. In Star Trek they felt pandering. Like he put them in because he had to, to cater to the fans. In The Force Awakens, it felt right. I mean, if you're going to focus on the Skywalker family, then everything has to come around again.

I also really appreciated the return to practical effects. Not only does it give the actors something to work with, and avoids situations where, for instance, you've got Sir Ian Mckellen breaking down crying on a green screen set, but it also looks more real to the audience. It has actual weight, and that comes across.

No one wants this!

I liked the new characters, from Rey and Finn to Poe and Maz. I'm less sure about the Supreme Leader, and I think Kylo Ren has the potential to develop into a very interesting character. Really, it would be fascinating if this trilogy was really his story more than Finn and Rey's, but I think that'll be better served as a book, rather than the focus of the movies.

On the other hand, I'm really excited that it does seem to be more focused on Rey. She's interesting... a hard scrabble scavenger who's had to scratch out a life on a desert world... clearly force sensitive...

And clearly able to take care of herself! 

I have my own theories about where they'll take the story, but I'm happy to go along for the ride at this point.

Also, can I just say how much I enjoyed the YT-1300's getting crashed about??