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Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Star Wars: The Force Awakens

7.3

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

PG-13·2015·136m

Summary

Thirty years after defeating the Galactic Empire, Han Solo and his allies face a new threat from the evil Kylo Ren and his army of Stormtroopers.

Cast

Harrison Ford

Harrison Ford

Han Solo

Mark Hamill

Mark Hamill

Luke Skywalker

Carrie Fisher

Carrie Fisher

General Leia Organa

Adam Driver

Adam Driver

Kylo Ren / Ben Solo

Daisy Ridley

Daisy Ridley

Rey

John Boyega

John Boyega

Finn

Oscar Isaac

Oscar Isaac

Poe Dameron

Lupita Nyong'o

Lupita Nyong'o

Maz Kanata

Andy Serkis

Andy Serkis

Supreme Leader Snoke

Domhnall Gleeson

Domhnall Gleeson

General Hux

Anthony Daniels

Anthony Daniels

C-3PO

Max von Sydow

Max von Sydow

Lor San Tekka

Peter Mayhew

Peter Mayhew

Chewbacca

Gwendoline Christie

Gwendoline Christie

Captain Phasma

Joonas Suotamo

Joonas Suotamo

Chewbacca Double

Pip Andersen

Pip Andersen

Lead Stormtrooper

Simon Pegg

Simon Pegg

Unkar Plutt

Kiran Shah

Kiran Shah

Teedo

Sasha Frost

Sasha Frost

Jakku Villager

Pip Torrens

Pip Torrens

Colonel Kaplan

Andrew Jack

Andrew Jack

Major Ematt

Rocky Marshall

Rocky Marshall

Colonel Datoo

Greg Grunberg

Greg Grunberg

Snap Wexley

Emun Elliott

Emun Elliott

Brance

Brian Vernel

Brian Vernel

Bala-Tik

Yayan Ruhian

Yayan Ruhian

Tasu Leech

Sebastian Armesto

Sebastian Armesto

Lieutenant Mitaka

Maisie Richardson-Sellers

Maisie Richardson-Sellers

Korr Sella

Warwick Davis

Warwick Davis

Wollivan

Cailey Fleming

Cailey Fleming

Young Rey

Mark Stanley

Mark Stanley

Knight of Ren

Ken Leung

Ken Leung

Admiral Statura

Iko Uwais

Iko Uwais

Razoo Quin-Fee

Anna Brewster

Anna Brewster

Bazine Netal

Harriet Walter

Harriet Walter

Dr. Kalonia

Tim Rose

Tim Rose

Admiral Ackbar

Erik Bauersfeld

Erik Bauersfeld

Admiral Ackbar (voice)

Mike Quinn

Mike Quinn

Nien Nunb

Bill Kipsang Rotich

Bill Kipsang Rotich

Nein Nunb (voice)

Michael Giacchino

Michael Giacchino

FN-3181

Nigel Godrich

Nigel Godrich

FN-9330

Judah Friedlander

Judah Friedlander

Bar Patron

Victor McGuire

Victor McGuire

Bar Patron

Miltos Yerolemou

Miltos Yerolemou

Bar Patron

Billie Lourd

Billie Lourd

Lieutenant Connix

Leanne Best

Leanne Best

Min Sakul

Crystal Clarke

Crystal Clarke

Ensign Goode

Jeffery Kissoon

Jeffery Kissoon

Rear Admiral Guich

Claudia Sermbezis

Claudia Sermbezis

Lema Eelyak

Gerald W. Abrams

Gerald W. Abrams

Captain Cypress

Jim McGrath

Vice Admiral Resdox

Philicia Saunders

Philicia Saunders

Tabala Zo

Morgan Dameron

Commodore Meta

Jessica Henwick

Jessica Henwick

Jess Testor

Tosin Cole

Tosin Cole

Lieutenant Bastian

James McArdle

James McArdle

Niv Lek

Stefan Grube

Yolo Ziff

Dixie Arnold

Dixie Arnold

Resistance Soldier

Hannah John-Kamen

Hannah John-Kamen

First Order Officer

Kate Fleetwood

Kate Fleetwood

First Order Officer

Thomas Brodie-Sangster

Thomas Brodie-Sangster

First Order Officer

Brian Herring

Brian Herring

BB-8

Dave Chapman

Dave Chapman

BB-8

Jimmy Vee

Jimmy Vee

R2-D2 (uncredited)

Cecep Arif Rahman

Cecep Arif Rahman

Crokind Shand (uncredited)

Ian Whyte

Ian Whyte

Bollie Prindel / Roodown (uncredited)

Daniel Craig

Daniel Craig

Stormtrooper (uncredited)

Ewan McGregor

Ewan McGregor

Obi-Wan Kenobi (voice) (uncredited)

Frank Oz

Frank Oz

Yoda (archive sound) (uncredited)

Alec Guinness

Alec Guinness

Obi-Wan Kenobi (archive sound) (uncredited)

Tom Kane

Tom Kane

Hosnian Citizen / Starkiller Technician (voice) (uncredited)

Catherine Taber

Catherine Taber

Hangar Officer / Starkiller Technician (voice) (uncredited)

Matthew Wood

Matthew Wood

Ello Asty / Quiggold / Niima Thug (voice) (uncredited)

Sam Witwer

Sam Witwer

Stormtroopers / Star Destroyer PA Announcer / Star Destroyer Officer (voice)

Meredith Salenger

Meredith Salenger

Resistance Technician (voice) (uncredited)

James Arnold Taylor

James Arnold Taylor

First Order Stormtrooper (uncredited)

Michael Donovan

Starkiller PA Announcer (voice) (uncredited)

Devon Libran

Devon Libran

Hangar Officer / Starkiller Stormtrooper (voice) (uncredited)

Robert Stambler

Red Eyed Sand Alien (voice) (uncredited)

Verona Blue

Verona Blue

Resistance PA Announcer (voice) (uncredited)

Fred Tatasciore

Fred Tatasciore

Niima Scavenger / Forest Stormtrooper (voice) (uncredited)

Patrick Correll

Resistance Medic (voice) (uncredited)

Karen Huie

Karen Huie

Niima Scavenger (voice) (uncredited)

Orly Schuchmacher

Desert Scavenger (voice) (uncredited)

Ben Schwartz

Ben Schwartz

Stormtrooper (uncredited)

Mark Dodson

Mark Dodson

Niima Scavenger (voice) (uncredited)

Liang Yang

Liang Yang

FN-2199 (uncredited)

David Acord

David Acord

FN-2199 (uncredited)

Jamie B. Chambers

Jamie B. Chambers

Heavy Gunner Stormtrooper (uncredited)

David M. Santana

David M. Santana

First Order Stormtrooper / Snowtrooper Commander / Heavy Gunner Stormtrooper (uncredited)

Francesca Longrigg

Francesca Longrigg

Bar Patron

D.C. Barns

D.C. Barns

Bar Patron

Tom Edden

Tom Edden

First Order Officer

Richard Riddell

Richard Riddell

First Order Officer

Jefferson Hall

Jefferson Hall

First Order Officer

Jack Laskey

Jack Laskey

First Order Officer

Daniel Adjei

Daniel Adjei

Jashco Phurus (uncredited)

Charlie Akin

First Order Stormtrooper / Resistance Fighter (uncredited)

Adrian Allan

Rebel Soldier (uncredited)

Samantha Alleyne

Samantha Alleyne

First Order Stormtrooper (uncredited)

Paul Biddiss

X-Wing Pilot (uncredited)

Hannah Blamires

First Order Officer (uncredited)

Rony Bridges

Rony Bridges

First Order Admiral (uncredited)

Stuart Budd

Stormtrooper (uncredited)

Calvin Chen

Calvin Chen

Resistance Engineer (uncredited)

Alan Chimes

Alan Chimes

Stormtrooper (uncredited)

Jamie Clay

Stormtrooper (uncredited)

David W. Collins

David W. Collins

Hangar Officer / Forest Stormtrooper (voice) (uncredited)

Cavin Cornwall

Cavin Cornwall

Durteel Haza / Sidon Ithano (uncredited)

Rowan Cox

Storm Trooper (uncredited)

Nathalie Cuzner

Nathalie Cuzner

PZ-4CO (uncredited)

Rimmel Daniel

Stormtrooper (uncredited)

Keith De'Winter

Goss Toowers (uncredited)

Adrian Derrick-Palmer

Adrian Derrick-Palmer

Stormtrooper (uncredited)

Cameron Edwards

Jakku Villager (uncredited)

Jesse Michael Fullington

Jesse Michael Fullington

First Order Stormtrooper (uncredited)

Gloria Garcia

Gloria Garcia

Jakku Defender (uncredited)

Salo Gardner

Salo Gardner

Bar Patron (uncredited)

Caroline Garnell

Caroline Garnell

Rebel Alliance (uncredited)

Chris Geden

First Order Officer (uncredited)

Versha Grant

Rebel (uncredited)

Steven James Griffiths

Snowtrooper (uncredited)

Gary Hailes

Gary Hailes

Stormtrooper (uncredited)

Tim Hammersley

Rebel (uncredited)

Chris Hastings

Chris Hastings

First Order Stormtrooper (uncredited)

Marina Hayter

Bar Worker (uncredited)

Kelvin Hewlett

Resistance (uncredited)

Matthew Hobbs

Resistance Fighter (uncredited)

Phil Hodges

Phil Hodges

X-Wing Pilot (uncredited)

Leigh Holland

Stormtrooper (uncredited)

Kevin Hudson

Kevin Hudson

Rebel Alliance (uncredited)

Phoenix James

Stormtrooper (uncredited)

Zander James

Stormtrooper (uncredited)

Tobias James-Samuels

Tobias James-Samuels

Fun House Officer (uncredited)

Paul Kasey

Paul Kasey

Ello Asty (uncredited)

Aaron Kennedy

Cloaked Messenger (uncredited)

Aidan Knight

Aidan Knight

Tie Fighter Pilot (uncredited)

Sanj Krishnan

Resistance Engineer (uncredited)

Lukas Landau

Lukas Landau

X-Wing Pilot (uncredited)

Andrei Lenart

Andrei Lenart

Resistance Soldier (uncredited)

Jorge Leon Martinez

Jorge Leon Martinez

Rebel Alliance (uncredited)

Julia Leyland

Julia Leyland

Rebel Medic (uncredited)

Billy James Machin

Stormtrooper (uncredited)

Hamza Malik

Jakku Villager (uncredited)

Raymond Mamrak

Raymond Mamrak

Stormtrooper (uncredited)

Kelsey Edwards

Kelsey Edwards

Resistance Fighter (uncredited)

Kenny-Lee Mbanefo

Kenny-Lee Mbanefo

First Order Stormtrooper (uncredited)

David McCarrison

Bar Patron (uncredited)

Sandeep Mohan

Sandeep Mohan

First Order Stormtrooper (uncredited)

Benjayx Murphy

Benjayx Murphy

Officer of the Rebel Alliance (uncredited)

Robert Strange

Robert Strange

Professor Allium (uncredited)

Charlie Nevett

Bar Patron (uncredited)

Jason Nicholls

Stormtrooper (uncredited)

Terry Noble

HoM 56 (uncredited)

David Norfolk

David Norfolk

Politician (uncredited)

Tatsujiro Oto

Tatsujiro Oto

Bar Patron (uncredited)

Gillian Pittaway

Resistance Member (uncredited)

Nathan Plant

Hassk Thug (uncredited)

Elroy Powell

Elroy Powell

Rosser Weno (uncredited)

Jay Rincon

Jay Rincon

Stormtrooper (uncredited)

Marc Rolfe

First Order Stormtrooper (uncredited)

Julio Romeo

Resistance Fighter (uncredited)

Arti Shah

Arti Shah

Power Droid (uncredited)

Kat Sheridan

Kat Sheridan

Resistance Medic / Forest Stormtrooper (voice) (uncredited)

Stephanie Silva

Stephanie Silva

ME-8D9 (uncredited)

Jasper Skinner

Senior Resistance Officer (uncredited)

Sandy Kate Slade

Lady Astronaut (uncredited)

Clem So

Clem So

Resistance Fighter (uncredited)

Benito Sovrano

Stormtrooper captain (uncredited)

Karol Steele

Karol Steele

Jakku Village Elder (uncredited)

François Sternkiker

X-Wing Pilot (uncredited)

Frank Stone

Rebel General (uncredited)

Andy Sweet

X-Wing Pilot (uncredited)

Peter Theobalds

Nima Outpost Scavenger (uncredited)

Pablo Verdejo

Pablo Verdejo

Rebel Soldier (uncredited)

Ashley Ward

Bar Patron (uncredited)

Paul Warren

Paul Warren

Varmik (uncredited)

Topo Wresniwiro

Topo Wresniwiro

Ubert Quaril (uncredited)

Joshua Ásberg

First Order Snowtrooper (uncredited)

Joe Cash

Stormtrooper (uncredited)

Clare Glass

Friend of Big Toad (uncredited)

Kevin Smith

Kevin Smith

Stormtrooper (voice) (uncredited)

Crew

Director, Screenplay

J.J. Abrams

Characters

George Lucas

Characters

Leigh Brackett

Characters

Jonathan Hales

Characters

Dave Filoni

Characters, Screenplay

Lawrence Kasdan

Writer

Michael Arndt

Reviews

F

Frank Ochieng

December 20, 2015

So where were you when the Science Fiction cinema sensation ‘Star Wars’ took shape and captured the imagination of the massive global moviegoers’ escapist expectations back in 1977? Regardless of whether you existed thirty-eight years ago or not, the legend of George Lucas’ highly-heralded SF blockbuster that shattered box office records worldwide was automatically engrained in your cinematic psyche. Now nearly four decades later, the motion picture phenomenon that took place in ‘a galaxy a long time ago…far, far away’ has come to expand its entertaining promise and prominence even after numerous servings of movie sequels, television specials and other fanfare attributes that promoted the ‘Star Wars’ agenda throughout the countless years.

The modern-day arrival of yet another ‘Star Wars’ edition in the millennium movie-making age of technical and tactical brilliance is quite fitting and filmmaker J.J. Abrams is the right choice to helm this sacred film franchise and present a whole new litany of continuing adventurous narratives for a new generation of ‘Star Wars’ personalities dipping their tenacious toes into ‘the force of goodness’ battling ‘the dark side’ of authoritative evil.

In Abrams’s reboot ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’, the anticipation of enhancing and enlightening the reputation and respect of the Lucas landscape of stormtroopers, light sabres and of course the iconic ‘Star Wars’ returnees from the treasured trio of Harrison Ford (Han Solo)/Carrie Fisher (Leia) and Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) registers with a nostalgic blast of appreciation and exhilaration. ‘The Force Awakens’ is a sheer big screen celebration of majestic impishness and intrigue that will fortify the hunger of both casual and rabid ‘Star Wars’ fanatics. Indeed, the hype is warranted and Abrams, the mastermind of the big-budget movie sequelitis, is in top form as he triumphantly presents ‘The Force Awakens’ on a prized silver platter designed for its surging golden moments of charged ebullience.

In looking at the numbers game that is connected to the overall ‘Star Wars’ universe, it is hard to believe that the last prequel was released just a decade ago. Furthermore, it is mind-boggling that the aforementioned ‘Star Wars’ ‘royalty’ in Ford, Fisher and Hamill have shared the same space on film for the first time in over three decades since they last were featured in a ‘Star Wars’ movie together. Nevertheless, no one can deny that ‘The Force Awakens’ does not take the challenge in combining the remembrance of the ‘Star Wars’ installments of yesteryear with the fresh brand of current upstarts willing to engage in another boisterous saga that begins a whole chapter of compelling wonderment. The mix of veterans and novices in ‘The Force Awakens’ is quite interesting but the familiarity of the storytelling heft of good vs. evil is always a solid sell in the realm of the ‘Star Wars’ utopia.

The good news is that ‘The Force Awakens’ not only serves as a bridge that crosses both boundaries past and present in ‘Star Wars’ folklore but it taps into the masterful mystique that Lucas and company worked so diligently to showcase so historically some thirty-eight years ago. Still, some may have lobbied for a stronger storyline in ‘The Force Awakens’ as they may gently dismiss it as being merely thin in its premise while viewing it primarily as a launching pad to develop yet another series of movies to create the ‘Star Wars’ juggernaut for this current-day climax of warped speed wizardry. For those that want a basic outline of ‘The Force Awakens’ pulse it is as such where the beloved yet aging tandem of standouts Han Solo and Chewbacca (yes, good old hulking and walking hairball Chewie is back) is helping out heroic new bloods’ Rey and Finn (played by Daisy Ridley and John Boyega)’ in an effort to groom them for combating the emergence of Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), a villainous representative from the Dark Side of the Force.

Basically, ‘The Force Awakens’ is a grand and stirring homage to the prolific Science Fiction/space fantasy that dared to soar its ambitious wings while taking the old-fashioned concept of the good guys sparring with the bad guys and spinning a whimsical web of dark imperialism while searching for the intrinsic value of brotherhood. One cannot imagine the vitality of ‘Star Wars’ without the inclusion of notable and favorite characterizations that were instrumental in inviting a ravenous response to this filming phenom that has existed in your pop cultural lives for too many years to recount. In addition to joining top dogs in Ford’s Han Solo, Hamill’s Luke Skywalker, Fisher’s General Leia Organa (the former Princess Leia to all you old school ‘Star Wars’ enthusiasts out there) and Peter Mayhew’s Chewbacca, there is the welcomed presence of C3-PO (Anthony Daniels) as well. As for C3-PO’s newest sidekick BB-8, a mechanical rolling ball robot, he is the R2-D2 replacement that should easily win the heart of the kiddies looking for a cute contraption of a companion to treasure on the spot. It should be pointed out that ‘The Force Awakens’ is set 30 years from the last installment and thankfully this update has not lost a magical step since that time.

Anyhow, the First Order’s solar system mechanism needs to be destroyed and must be eradicated by the young talents in spunky and pretty Rey (think the athletic female version of Luke Skywalker) as she teams up with former stormtrooper Finn, a warrior with an uncharacteristic compassion for not killing any designated weak soul as instructed. Naturally, this duo (while under the tutelage of the mature and ragged-looking Han Solo) has their hands full as they clash with the nefarious General Hux (Domhnall Gleeson from ‘Brooklyn’) and his Special Forces protégé Kylo Ren that strikes an immediate comparison to ‘Star Wars’ most notorious bad boy in the deliciously ruthless Darth Vader.

Daisy Ridley's Rey and John Boyega's Finn are having a blast as the touted twosome out to save the day in J.J. Abram's celebrated STAR WARS reboot THE FORCE AWAKENS Daisy Ridley’s Rey and John Boyega’s Finn are having a blast as the touted twosome out to save the day in J.J. Abram’s celebrated STAR WARS reboot THE FORCE AWAKENS Thankfully, the majority of the audience may recall similar elements in ‘The Force Awakens’ that was touched upon in ‘Star Wars’ editions such as ‘A New Hope’ and ‘Return Of The Jedi’ where the same structure and theme of the plot points are somewhat revisited. As charming and stimulating as ‘The Force Awakens’ appears in its glorious presentation of being a beautifully shot and visually vibrant popcorn piece, the real find in Abrams’ spectacular space-aged spectacle is Ridley’s heroine Rey, whose emotional and physical commitment to this futuristic fable feels grounded in genuine suspense and praise. Ridley has legitimate game and carries this hot and heavy galactic actioner on her sturdy shoulders with the overwhelming pressure of headlining a cinema giant looking the re-enter the consciousness of rabid ‘Star Wars’ aficionados everywhere. Clearly, we are invested in Ridley’s Rey whose feistiness never undercuts her feminine convictions or courageousness. She runs circles around her male co-stars in fellow ‘Star Wars’ newbies Boyega/Finn and Driver/Kylo Ren and her sense of empowerment is what drives the authentic Force behind Abrams’ inherited ‘Star Wars’ workload.

‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ gleefully ignites the flashy flames of giddiness that we all associate with George Lucas’ indomitable big screen creation. The signature flourishes from composure John Williams’ commanding musical score to the stunning and innovative technical tweaking to the mixture of the old and new guard in front of the camera all make for an eventful and exciting return to the universal staging for a movie-making moment that will stand the test of time, the immense pop cultural movement at the movies known as ‘Star Wars’.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)

Lucasfilms

2 hrs. 15 mins.

Starring: Harrison Ford, Daisy Ridley, Carrie Fisher, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver, Peter Mayhew, Domhnall Gleeson, Lupita Nyong’o, Andy Serkis, Gwendoline Christie, Kenny Baker, Anthony Daniels and Max von Sydow

Directed and Co-Written by: J.J. Abrams

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Genre: Science Fiction/Action and Adventure/Space Fantasy

Critic’s rating: *** stars (out of 4 stars)

(c) Frank Ochieng 2015

Media

Status:

Released

Original Language:

English

Budget:

$245,000,000.00

Revenue:

$2,068,223,624.00

Keywords

android
spacecraft
space opera