Movie Review Wars: Episode VII – Return of the Nostalgia
It is a time of rejoicing for Star Wars fans everywhere. The newest installment of the film series that changed movie making forever has blasted its way from a galaxy far, far away and into a theater near you.
With fans of all ages together for the first time in a decade, a new hope has come to banish the dark days of George Lucas and his prequels to the farthest and most desolate reaches of the film history universe and restore peace and unity to the galaxy…
Those who grew up with Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Princess Leia have been waiting to see what happened after the events of Return of the Jedi for over 32 years. Those of us who weren’t around then haven’t been waiting quite that long, but we still felt like the story could have continued once the Empire had fallen.
Unfortunately, 32 years is a long time. In trying to stick to the original trilogy as much as possible, there are a lot of characters, quotes, music, choreograph, camera shots and just about anything else you can think of from those first three movies. Luckily, it works. It’s actually surprising how well fueling almost the entire movie with nostalgia, throwbacks and Easter eggs worked in its favor.
With the Galactic Empire defeated thirty years ago, the galaxy now faces a new threat in a faction named the First Order. Their main mission is to rule the galaxy and destroy all who oppose them—just like the old Empire—under their commander, the ruthless, mysterious and powerful Kylo Ren.
Kylo and his followers are on the search for Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), the last of the Jedi and the only one able to restore order to the Force. Luke’s unknown location is also a main concern for his sister, Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher), a general from the Resistance—a new faction of the rebellion also on the search for Luke.
In their search for Luke, Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Chewbacca meet some new companions: Finn, a defective First Order Stormtrooper, and Rey, a scavenger from the desert planet Jakku who acquired Luke’s location through BB-8, a droid from the Resistance. This unexpected team is required to not only take on the First Order, but also to find Luke Skywalker before it’s too late.
The absolute best parts of this movie are the first 45 minutes, about 10 minutes in the middle and the 10 minutes in the very end. In that opening third, and the other few scenes in the middle and end, it is Star Wars. They have the exact same look and feel and give off the same impressions as the first film in 1977, and it’s all because there is so little dialogue.
This film is so good at showing instead of telling, the latter being what killed the prequels. In the first third, you understand these characters right away by seeing what they do, not hearing them say what they do.
In the other parts, the story is classic Star Wars in the best way. The dialogue is cheesy and hilarious in the best way. The emotions and expressive movements are powerful and effective in the best way. Those parts made the movie as amazing as it is.
On the other hand, about half of the other parts are good. Not bad, not great. Extremely well done, but just good. And that’s where the overly nostalgic throwbacks start to drive the movie. Now, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t.
The one element that worked the whole time was Harrison Ford as Han Solo. Even at 73, Ford is still an awesome hot shot. His one-liners are snarky, but charming. The way he talks himself out of trouble is adorable.
But Solo is also a changed man who has been through a lot. For once in a long time, it’s not Harrison Ford overcompensating and trying to act 30 again. It’s an older Solo who has lived every minute of the past 32 years, and it’s taken its toll on him.
Unfortunately, the basic rehash of the first film, the recycling of the same lines and phrases in every film and the in-jokes in the Millennium Falcon, the cantina and the base of the Resistance is a bit too much.
Yes, it’s all meant to tug on your childhood heartstrings, and it does successfully throw you back into the Star Wars universe without skipping a beat. More of the new and different ideas and plot points would have gone a lot farther than everything dragged over from the original trilogy.
However, this is still a great film. Fans, both old and new, will eat it up. There is enough intrigue, phenomenal filmmaking and overall world building that will keep casual moviegoers entertained. And it’s a great first chapter that brings everyone back to that galaxy far, far away with ease.
Remember, this is just another part one of three. Don’t expect it all to be here and now. Just enjoy this one for what it is: another Star Wars movie.
Quigley Films Unlimited 