0
The trailer for JJ Abrams’s continuation of the Star Wars saga, The Force Awakens was released a couple of days ago and I have been compelled to throw my tuppence into the fray.
If you haven’t watched it already, do so and then come back to me, see if you agree. First of all, some perspective on my experience of the Star Wars Franchise…
Even as a child, I was not the biggest Star Wars fan and only had a few figures. I never had a Millennium Falcon like some. I think I only watched the originals once each as a child. My favourite part of the films were always the light saber battles – the sound they made with the slightest movement, when green clashed with red. I was more of a Transformers fan truth be told: “Megatron must be stopped, no matter the cost!” Cue Stan Bush’s You Got The Touch.
Fast forward to 1998 and the right honourable George Lucas announces a trilogy of prequels concentrating on the descent of Anakin Skywalker into the depths of the dark side. No human living above rocks could help being captivated by such potential. I re-watched all the originals and enjoyed them immensely. The strong characters, the humour, the space battles. I couldn’t wait for the prequels.
I enjoyed the prequels when they came out. They had enough action for me and I really liked what they did with Yoda. He kicked a lot of ass in those films. I also felt Anakin’s descent was well depicted. How naive I was.
Last part of this retrospection now, I promise. We’re in 2010 and Red Letter Media release their meticulous dissection of The Phantom Menace. I couldn’t believe this was the same film I watched and enjoyed as a teenager. It was an education for me. It changed the way I look at all films forever.
Mike Stoklasa, through his depraved character Mr Plinkett, made crystal clear how cynical those prequels were. Primarily a money-making exercise more than anything. Star Wars by-the-numbers on the surface but in reality lazy film-making with ridiculous acting and plot-holes. Don’t get me started on “NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”
Now JJ Abrams has been given the reins and last week’s trailer is the first fruit of that labour. I have to say I was impressed. It’s breaking new ground straight away by including the first black storm trooper. It crams in a lot more in 88 seconds without telling you an awful lot about anything.
The main mission of this teaser must have been to give some peace of mind to the die-hard Star Wars fans that the franchise is in safe hands. They did this by including most of the standards you would expect in a Star Wars Movie. You had Storm Troopers, Droids, X-Wings, Light Sabers.
But the biggest revelation for me and I’m sure for most Star Wars fans, and why I have felt the need to start a new paragraph to further emphasise the importance of this, is the appearance of the Millennium Falcon in all its wondrous glory. What a wonderful feat of design that ship is. To see it do a sort of loop-the-loop set my heart a-racing more than anything else.
The way the narrator sets it up is tremendously done: “The dark side” cue Sith Lord with cool Light Saber that looks more like a sword from Game of Thrones but made of red laser fire. Then three simple words followed, uttered in darkness: “And the light.” BANG! The Millennium Falcon comes spectacularly into view with the John Williams Star Wars Theme in tow. I’m feeling emotional as I type this, that’s how much an impact that made. I challenge any geek to go “MEH!” after watching that.
After feeling indifference and apathy about the new Star Wars movies, I have now become excited to see what they have created. Stage one successful. Bring it on, Abrams!