The Force Awakens passes the lightsaber to a new generation

Pat Owens

Guest Reporter 

Language arts teacher Pat Owens, Carson Owens, sophomore Cutler Owens, and senior Cordell 
Parks at the premiere of The Force Awakens at Copper Creek theater Thursday night. Pat Owens photo.

SPOILER ALERT—I am a big fan of the Star Wars Saga, especially the original trilogy, so this will be a favorable review.

Thirty-eight-and-a-half years ago, I fell in love for the first time. Okay, maybe I had loved a pet or two before, but all that was cast aside when my dad took me to see the original Star Wars (before the subtitle Episode IV—A New Hope was added to the 1981 re-release). “I saw the most unbelievable movie,” he said. “I have to take you to see it.” Being an excited seven-year-old, I don’t remember much, but what I do remember is the feeling I had afterwards and how that carried on through my childhood and adolescence, even into adulthood, as Star Wars became one of the most iconic series in popular culture.

Fast-forward to the past three years (Episode VII was announced on October 30, 2012, coinciding with Walt Disney’s acquisition of the Lucasfilm franchise). Questions were asked, rumors swirled, cast members’ involvements were announced, “teaser” and full-length trailers were released . . . along with hopes that a big part of my childhood would be rekindled, making up for being left somewhat disappointed with the prequels that were released in 1999, 2002, and 2005. At the premiere I attended last night, 32 years of waiting were put to rest.

The Force Awakens brings back the principal players from the original trilogy (Han Solo, Chewbacca, Princess Leia Organa, C-3P0, R2-D2) plus a number of new characters, both good (Rey, BB-8, Poe Dameron) and evil (Kylo Ren, Captain Phasma).

The story begins by bringing the audience up to speed on the current situation of the galaxy: the Empire is now the New Order, seeking to destroy the Resistance, formerly the Rebel Alliance. The only person who can ultimately help the Resistance is Luke Skywalker, but he has gone into seclusion for reasons that will not be revealed here.

The first part of the film introduces each of the new characters, with hints of what is to come from each of them. Then, it happens—Han Solo and Chewbacca appear on-screen, with Han saying the lines we’ve all heard since the release of the second teaser trailer April 16: “Chewie, we’re home.” And from that point on, so was I.

From there, the audience is taken on the mission to deliver BB-8 and his important message to the Resistance (if you know anything about Episode IV—A New Hope, this should sound a bit familiar). Along the way, of course, there are encounters between the forces of good and evil, including hand-to-hand combat, firefights, and aerial battles, all choreographed in ways previous audiences have never seen lightsabers clash, laser blasters fire, and X-wings, TIE fighters, or the Millennium Falcon fly.

True to its predecessors, the action is interspersed with bits of humor, romance (not the sappy Anakin/Amidala type in the prequels), and yes, some surprising revelations and events. One huge piece of character information is dispensed early (don’t miss it) and plays itself out; another can be seen building along the way; audiences have to wait until the very end for another.

Even though my sons are a bit older (16 and 11) than when I saw the first movie in 1977, Star Wars: Episode VII—The Force Awakens allowed me the opportunity to introduce them to my original experience, bridging one generation to the next, just like the film does with its cast of characters, old and new.