Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens

Release Date: December 18, 2015

Watch Date: June 20 – June 21, 2024

“Visionary director J.J. Abrams brings to life the motion picture event of a generation. As Kylo Ren and the sinister First Order rise from the ashes of the Empire, Luke Skywalker is missing when the galaxy needs him most. It’s up to Rey, a desert scavenger, and Finn, a defecting stormtrooper, to join forces with Han Solo and Chewbacca in a desperate search for the one hope of restoring peace to the galaxy.”

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   Bob doesn’t like the new trilogy.

   Something about Rey surpassing Anakin, who is the chosen one, and Luke, who both took years and actual education via masters to reach the level of achievement as Jedi/Sith that they did, and Rey taking all of a year? Less than? He doesn’t like Kylo Ren. He doesn’t really like Snoke, but if you’re going to have a villain he’d rather have it be Snoke than whoever it ends up being by the third movie.

   I guess there’s a lot to hate? But he doesn’t really like ‘The Acolyte’ either so what do I know? Not a lot. Basically. But we all know that. I’m just doing my best here and enjoying the ride.

   I saw “The Force Awakens” in theatres when it first came out. Don’t ask me why. It seemed like the thing to do, see a Star Wars movie in theatres. People cheered at the reveal of the Millennium Falcon, and Han and Chewie, and Leia. There was a lot of cheering. And at the time I thought it was a little odd. But I get it now. Of course, through the series I haven’t spent time with any of their characters as much as I have with Obi-Wan and Anakin, so I still don’t feel as attached to them, but I think I get why, if you grew up loving those characters, stories, and iconic ships, you might be stoked to see them back on the big screen for the first time in decades. I saw them a few nights ago, but recalling the feeling in the theatre, I get it now.

   Maybe my feelings on the ‘new’ trilogy might shift as I watch the next two films, but as of right now, I don’t know, it seems fine. It’s adventurous. I don’t feel like it’s extraordinary to have a strong female protagonist, being familiar with Osha and Ahsoka, plus I have seen Rey kick butt. I think there’s a lot of potential, and I’m trying to ignore Bob in my ear telling me that this trilogy will only disappoint me. I choose instead to be positive.

   Man, my positions on Star Wars have changed so much since my first foray into these films. I’m actually trying to be positive and not just mean to Jar Jar Binks. How the turn tables…

   So let’s try and prove Bob wrong! Let’s find things to like as this trilogy. Like potential. New worlds! A lack of Jar Jar Binks! A love story, maybe several? Who knows!