SPOILER ALERT! Catching the nostalgia bug is easy when your childhood is rebooted THIS GOOD! In Star Wars VII we find ourselves 30 years in the future where the Force and Luke Skywalker have become mere legend among the new generation. In this episode we follow the adventures of ex-storm trooper Finn and scavenger Rey, who we think may be the new main protagonist in this epic series.
(Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images for Walt Disney Studios)
I watched Star Wars VII three times and I still felt the same level of nostalgia every single time. The movie opens up in the original title scene (sending chills down my spine) and we learn that Luke has been in hiding for some time now. The entire plot of the movie revolves around finding the map to Skywalker’s location, which our cute droid “BB-8” carries a piece of. We are then greeted by The First Order’s “Starkiller Base,” what seems to be the new “Death Star,” which is probably 15 times the size of the original. Ironically the base becomes an actual star by the end of the movie.
The First Order has sent storm troopers to the desert planet, Jakku, in their search for the map to Luke Skywalker. On this planet we meet our first NEW face. Po Dameron, Resistance pilot, is visiting an ally in regards to information leading to Luke’s whereabouts. Before he can return to the Resistance base, he is taken captive by The First Order, but not before he sent BB-8 (his droid) on his way with the information Po recovered. Po and BB-8 are very interesting characters and bring something very refreshing to the story. BB-8 is the cutest little thing I think I have ever seen. He looks like he rolled straight out of a Pixar movie.
Our next new face is Finn. Well, at first he has a series of numbers and letters as his “name.” So far, we know he was born into the The First Order and has only ever known being a storm trooper. Throughout the first few minutes of his screen time, we see an internal conflict in Finn. He can feel that what is happening on the Starkiller Base is wrong and just wants out. So when Po is brought on board, Finn sees an opportunity. Basically Finn helps Po escape and they steal a Tie Fighter and make their way back to Jakku. Unfortunately, their ship gets shot down and when Finn tries to save Po from the remains of the ship, there is an explosion and Po is believed to be dead.
This is where the internet goes absolutely crazy! The only thing Finn was able to save from the wreckage was Po’s jacket. Later we find out that Po is not dead and him and Finn embrace each other in the most adorable way. The internet ships them and so do I! I call BB-8 their adopted child. Just one big happy family!
Another new face, my favorite face, is Rey. I suspect her to be our new main protagonist. We don’t know much about her and I feel like her back story is going to be very interesting. The fact that a WOMAN is our new main Jedi is unexpected and PERFECT. We also meet her first on Jakku, where she also finds BB-8 and saves him from another scavenger. Before Po escaped from the Starkiller Base, Kylo Ren (wannabe Vader) was able to force out of him where the piece of the map was hidden (inside BB-8). After Finn lands on Jakku he finds himself in the same town as Rey and BB-8 recognizes Po’s jacket. This is the moment that brings the three together. Eventually, after Finn lies about who he is, storm troopers find the trio and we begin our chase scene.
Needing to find means of transportation, Rey and Finn try to find a ship quickly. The ship they find themselves on happens to be the MILLENNIUM FALCON. I don’t think I can put into words how many feels hit me when I saw that beautiful piece of “garbage”.
After finally escaping the storm troopers and leaving Jakku, the trio is picked up by another ship(we assume it belongs to The First Order). Come to find out, here comes Chewy and Han Solo just walking into the Millennium Falcon like nothing has changed. The most epic line of the entire movie is when Han says “Chewy, we’re home.” I almost burst into tears.
So let’s forget about the plot and focus on Han Solo. HE HAS A SON!? I don’t remember Han being very compassionate, so I never pictured him with kids. But I guess he did show his more nurturing side when he met Leia. Han’s son is named Ben (after Obi Wan “Ben” Kenobi?), also known as Kylo Ren. Apparently Ben was in training with Luke when he was younger and something went terribly wrong. We believe that is why Luke went into hiding. He probably felt it was his fault that Ben fell into darkness. Sounds like something Luke would do. Anyway, in the movie when the Resistance is planning an attack on the Starkiller Base, Han and company must destroy the weapon that is on board the base. While doing this, Kylo Ren shows up and he’s walking across this long catwalk (no side rails, because safety isn’t a concern here) and Han decides to confront him and try to bring him home.
So, Father and Son are standing in the middle of this catwalk (familiar?) and Han is trying to talk Kylo Ren into coming home. He tries to convince him that they can fix everything and be a family again. Kylo Ren looks at Han and says “I know what I need to do, but I don’t know if I have the strength to do it. Can you help me?” Before Han says anything, there is a pause, and it seems to be understanding in his eyes. I don’t know if he realizes what is about to happen or if hen genuinely thinks his son is finally going to come home. Either way, Han Solo let his compassion be his downfall. Kylo Ren killed his father, Han Solo.
There is so much more that happens in this film and if I keep going on this may turn into a novel. I encourage everyone to see this film and bask in all it’s greatness. If you want to chat more about the film please comment below, tweet me and also make sure to follow Pop Hearts TV.
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