Film Review - Star Wars Episode VII - the J J Abrams version

The new villians - Kylo Ren and Storm Troopers from the First Order

As Star Wars VII The Force Awakens finishes its cinema run, Star Wars VIII is already in production continuing a substantial film franchise established by George Lucas in 1977 when Star Wars Episode IV was released. Since Disney bought LucasFilm in 2012 for $4.06B there is a new Star Wars owner bringing some changes to the overall method of storytelling most notably with the appointment of Director J J Abrams to continue the series.

The story picks up thirty years into the future and introduces a new generation of characters and reintroduces old favourites. New characters are Rey (Daisy Ridley), Finn (John Boyega) and Poe Dameron (Oscvar Isaacc). Old favourites such as Hans Solo (Harrison Ford), Princess [now General] Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher), the androids R2D2 and C3PO and the wookie, Chewbacca also return.  The Empire is gone along with Darth Vader, the Emperor and the Death Star however the remnants have regrouped as the 'First Order' aligned with the Dark Side of the Force. A fledgling Republic is re-established which supports the ongoing Rebellion Forces (its not clear why the forces are still termed as 'rebels' at all) and continues to be threatened by the ambition of the First Order.

As the First Order gains strength and threatens to topple the re-established Republic, the new quest is to search and find the remaining Jedi Knight and Rebel leader Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) who has gone into seclusion many years previously.  

As with many Abrams efforts there is a strong reliance on instantaneous gratification and unyielding, almost continuous action. Subtlety and development of plot are missing and key elements of back story to give context are not mentioned. Whereas in the original first three films, Luke Skywalker needed tuition and training from Jedi masters such as Yoda to handle a light sabre and  develop a connection to the mystical 'Force', the new heroine Rey, just picks up a light sabre and starts combat with no training at all.  Many characters are very stereotypical and more so than the original Lucas versions - there is the remorseful Stormtrooper, Finn, who deserts his Division and reluctantly joins the Rebel forces; the young female heroine, Rey, a scavenger outcast who has some latent powers of the Force and can immediately use Luke Skywalker's own light sabre; and the X-Wing fighter pilot, Poe who is reminiscent of a younger Hans Solo of sorts (Hans Solo was an contrary-hero figure in the first film).

This is a film well pitched at a Gen Y audience, easily digestible, predictable and with few surprises. Familiar motifs, images and settings abound grounding this film strongly with the previous six films. Of interest, the forward planning is to proceed to Star Wars IX for release in 2019.