Okay, so this is now the newest film I’ve blogged about in this list of 100 movies. I waited until I’d seen it twice to be sure on my opinion. There’s no spoilers here for anyone that’s worried.
First off, relax, Star Wars: The Force Awakens is miles better than the prequels. Indeed, its light years better. Essentially this is a visit back to the first film forty years on – in both story terms and real life cinema terms.
Regular faces are back in Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher. There are also some great new faces in Daisy Ridley and John Boyega. Oscar Issac also adds a little bit of extra class.
This is a great reboot of the original series and unlike the prequels it feels like it’s in a real universe, shot on film, with genuine light. This isn’t a film made within a computer; however, the script is a little bit like a Star Wars greatest hits compilation.
The first time I saw it, I admit that my hopes were too high, and I sit rigid in my cinema seat for the first forty minutes before I could relax and then start to actually enjoy the film. The second time I watched the film I was more relaxed and got carried away by the sheer fun of the picture.
The real discovery is Daisy Ridley who is just great stuff in her role; she carries the film and is the real discovery as this young female Jedi.
Finally, the comedy awakens in this Star Wars film, and it’s actually very funny in parts. Harrison Ford does some good bits, Boyega is funny and even new droid BB8 has a few comedy moments.
Go see it, the future of the franchise looks safe to me.
So, 43 films to go…
Matthew Cooper has written for Emmerdale, Eastenders, Hollyoaks and Family Affairs. He was winner of the first ever Lloyds Bank Channel Four Film Challenge and the Oscar Moore Screenplay Prize. His first short film starred a then unknown Ewan McGregor and was picked up by Channel Four when Matthew was 19 years old. He’s been a script writer for hire and filmmaker for hire for over 20 years.