Disney's new Star Wars sequel trilogy kicked off with the highly anticipated The Force Awakens. This new adventure saw old favorites from the original trilogy return alongside a cast of completely new characters who would continue on this epic story in a galaxy far, far away.
It was thrilling to see these iconic characters return to the big screen after so many years, although many fans wished some of them had a little more coverage than they were given. But the majority of the screen time was given to the new generation of Star Wars characters who were ready to take center stage.
When this movie was announced, it promised fans a new adventure that brought back Han, Leia, and Luke. However, with Luke, that turned out to be a bit of a bait and switch. Throughout the movie, viewers are told that Luke has left the Resistance and exiled himself somewhere.
After discovering his location, Rey visits the small island where she finds Luke and offers him his old lightsaber. Then the movie ends without Luke Skywalker uttering a single word. It was frustrating to some, but a great cliffhanger for others.
Despite only communicating through a series of beeps, R2-D2 is one of the most iconic characters in the Star Wars universe. Unfortunately, in The Force Awakens, he is quite literally pushed aside until there is some need of him.
The audience finds R2 being hidden under a tarp like some forgotten junk in your garage. It is explained that he has been powered down since Luke left. Conveniently, he awakens at the end of the movie to reveal the rest of the map to Luke's location.
The very first line in the new sequel trilogy goes to a new character named Lor San Tekka. He is someone connected to the past of the rebellion and the one who discovered the map that leads to the location of Luke Skywalker.
Sadly, Tekka's purpose in the movie is to provide that piece of information and then quickly be killed off by Kylo Ren in the first scene. Though he likely didn't have much else to do in the story, it does seem like a waste of a great actor like Max von Sydow.
With BB-8 stealing the show, some of the classic droids get pushed to the back. This includes C-3PO, who is introduced near the final act of the story while sporting a new red arm.
C-3PO is still by Leia's side at all times, worrying and complaining instead of actually helping out the rebellion. However, he does have some funny moments like when he fails to recognize that he is interrupting Leia and Han's emotional reunion.
In a way, Captain Phasma is like the Boba Fett of the sequel trilogy. She is a cool-looking character who had a lot of hype but ultimately did nothing. She is the captain of the stormtroopers who is particularly intimidating towards Finn.
After being introduced at the beginning of the movie, Phasma disappears from the story only to show up near the end, where she is easily captured by Finn and Han Solo. A bit disappointing for a promising character.
Ever since R2-D2 and C-3PO, droids have been used as fun comic relief characters in these stories. The Force Awakens introduced a new droid named BB-8 who quickly stole the show. This rolling ball of a droid takes after his predecessor R2-D2 and doesn't speak, but that doesn't stop him from getting a decent amount of screen time.
Like with R2-D2 and C-3PO, the movie begins with BB-8 on a journey carrying some valuable information. He then partners with Rey and Finn to go off into the galaxy and deliver the supposed location of Luke Skywalker.
With Darth Vader gone, a new villain had to emerge in this storyline, and Kylo Ren made a fitting replacement. Sporting a stylish Vader-inspired mask, Kylo looks to follow in the footsteps of the Sith Lord and it is ultimately revealed that he is the son of Han and Leia.
Like Vader, Kylo is a looming threat for most of the story, not coming face-to-face with the heroes until later in the movie. However, the final act is really when the character becomes interesting as Adam Driver is able to remove his mask and get some great scenes, including the shocking reunion with his father.
Though most of the original cast as in supporting roles in this movie, it seems that J.J. Abrams couldn't resist playing around with Han Solo. Once Rey and Finn take the Millennium Falcon, it was only a matter of time before Han and Chewbacca showed up.
Han accompanies the two new heroes on their mission to bring the map to the Resistance and then helps Finn infiltrate the Starkiller Base. That is where Han finds his son and after a tense reunion, Harrison Ford finally gets his wish to see Han Solo killed off.
One of the most fascinating new characters introduced in this movie is Finn. He is a stormtrooper who has trouble dealing with the evils of his position. He decides to abandon his post, save Poe Dameron, and flee the First Order. This causes him to cross paths with Rey and start a new adventure.
Though Finn's character isn't developed very well in the later entries, this first movie makes him a complex and strong hero. He even gets to fight Kylo Ren with a lightsaber in the climax.
Without a doubt, the main character of the new sequel trilogy is Rey. When viewers meet her, she is an orphaned girl with no parents living on a desolate planet hoping to someday escape and see the rest of the galaxy. Obviously, she shares some similarities with Luke Skywalker.
Despite feeling a little too familiar at times, Rey's journey in this first movie is quite thrilling to watch. Seeing her go out into the galaxy, join the Resistance, and discover her own Jedi powers is an emotional and exciting ride that really makes us invested in this character.
