Reviewed by Victor Rebikoff.
Director: J.J Abrams, Lucasfilm and Walt Disney Pictures, M 142 Minutes.
There is no doubt that J.J.Abrams, the director of ‘Star Wars – The Force Awakens – Episode V11’ has made a spectacular finale to the franchise through this grand-scale production and stunning special effects.
It’s hard to believe that George Lucas created the Star Wars saga in 1977, releasing Episode 1V, V and V1 with leads Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford and Mark Hamil, followed later by the prequels Episode 1 to 111.
By 2015, ‘Episode V11’ was released under Abrams’ direction featuring new characters Rey (Daisy Ridley), Finn (John Boyega), Poe (Oscar Isaac) and Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) together with Fisher, Ford and Hamill in their iconic roles.
With the demise of Hans Solo at the hands of his son Kylo Ren (Ben Solo) in Episode V11 and that of Luke Skywalker in Episode V111, there was also the untimely death of Carrie Fisher in 2016.
It’s now left to Rey, Finn and Poe to rejuvenate the remaining members of the resistance as they face-off again with the First Order – led by Kylo Ren – unaware of the mysterious return of Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid).
What ensues is an exciting battle for the control of the galaxy which sees Rey engage in a drawn-out lightsaber duel with Kylo Ren that will test her Jedi powers.
To Abrams’ considerable credit, he has fashioned a fitting finale in this concluding chapter to the saga started by Lucas 43 years ago by embellishing the memory of Fisher, Ford and Hamill as forerunners of the Star Wars story.
Apart from the movie duration – which includes the lengthy fight scenes between Rey and Kylo Ren and their final showdown – there are many emotional scenes, with the reappearance of Fisher, as well as an acknowledgement to past friends.
To this end, one is mindful of Fisher’s perfectly-pitched performances in all the Star Wars movies, without overlooking those of Harrison and Hamill, Ridley and Driver.
In conclusion, it’s interesting to note that part of the Star Wars mythology is the power of the Force that Abrams addresses in this final Star Wars movie – which each Jedi refers to after completing a mission – “May the Force be with you”.
Vic’s Verdict: 3 ½ Stars
