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'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Journey back to the galaxy far, far away
Robotic reunion: The golden droid C-3PO (right) is reunited with resourceful astromech droid, R2-D2
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Robotic reunion: The golden droid C-3PO (right) is reunited with resourceful astromech droid, R2-D2.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens recaptures the old Star Wars spirit while enriching the saga with new charming characters.
With Star Wars having rooted itself in our popular culture, the latest installment is undeniably one of the most-anticipated films in recent memory. And it's worth the wait.
Director JJ Abrams pays homage to the beloved original trilogy, delivering thrilling adventure, familiar plot twists and some old faces ' most notably Harrison Ford as Han Solo.
Most importantly, The Force Awakens, the seventh installment of the Star Wars franchise, introduces us to a new generation of heroes and dark forces.
The film takes place approximately 30 years after the Battle of Endor depicted in Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983).
Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), the last Jedi, has vanished. The First Order, successor to the Galactic Empire, scours the galaxy to find him.
Representing the Light Side of the Force is the Resistance led by Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher), now referred to as General Leia Organa.
The Force Awakens ushers in a new hope through Rey (played by Daisy Ridley). She is a scavenger on a desert planet, Jakku. The feisty girl is hungry for adventure but opts to stay on the planet in hopes that her family, who left her behind years ago, will come home.
Rey's galactic adventure begins after encountering the stranded BB-8 droid, which carries a map on Luke's whereabouts ' crucial information desired by the two competing powers, the First Order and the Resistance.
Rey receives help from Finn (John Boyega), a First Order stormtrooper who ditches his uniform after having an epiphany about the First Order.
Star Wars fans will be happy to see the remnants of spaceships from the original trilogy, including the dusty Millennium Falcon spaceship of Han Solo.
Together with Rey and Finn, Han Solo and his Wookiee first mate, Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew), join the Resistance's fight against the First Order as the evil regime is finalizing a superweapon capable of destroying the entire star system.
The story is packed with funny and touching moments ' particularly from the endearing Han Solo, with references to the franchise's previous films. Audiences are reunited with the golden droid C-3PO, which has a new red arm, and the resourceful astromech droid, R2-D2.
We will see how past events have changed Princess Leia. She is a committed leader but feels somewhat brokenhearted.
The seventh episode also ignites a romance between Rey and Finn. The film quickly escalates into drama when it is revealed that the First Order commander, Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), who is the son of Han Solo and Leia.
The father-and-son drama is reminiscent of the relationship of Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader. However, such drama works once again in this new episode and culminates in a shocking moment.
Indonesian audiences will be excited to see martial art stars ' Iko Uwais, Yayan Ruhian and Cecep Arif Rahman ' appear as part of the notorious intergalactic criminal organization, Kanjiklub Gang.
Yayan plays the tough leader, Tasu Leech, while Iko and Cecep take on the roles of gang members Razoo Qin Fee and Crokind Sand, respectively. Their roles made them the first Indonesians to be immortalized in Lego mini figures.
Other than Rey, Ren and Finn, the film also introduces the enigmatic Pirate Queen Maze Kanata, who runs a bar full of galactic misfits. She is created through motion capture and the voice of Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong'o.
There is also Kylo Ren's master, preposterous-looking Supreme Leader Snoke (Andy Serkis) and chrome stormtrooper Captain Phasma, played by English actress Gwendoline Christie, best known for her Game of Thrones' role as Brienne of Tarth.
The film may only reveal a few things about them but there is a good chance Abrams will explore these interesting characters in the next installment.
The Force Awakens feels familiar and fresh at the same time. Abrams delivers plenty of nostalgic moments from George Lucas' original trilogy while also expanding it in bold ways through the addition of new figures and conflicts.
Intriguing mysteries left unresolved leaves audiences wanting more, but they'll just have to impatiently wait for the next episode.
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