Some Quick Notes:
There is no Star Wars without John Williams. Period. His ability to generate emotional and thrilling compositions in many different scenes is unparalleled. He hits the old, familiar themes from the previous eight films yet blends them at different points to make you tear up. The soundtrack alone is a trip and journey through forty years of Star Wars music. I was happy he finally got a cameo in a Star Wars film.
Sheev had sex. Sex = babies. That makes sense if you consider how powerful Rey is and also the jabbing motion with her lightsaber she is fond of making. Now, let’s also process the fact that Palpatine KILLED his own SON. But we can’t since we have to jump around.
Daisy Ridley as Rey was perhaps one of the two best decisions that JJ Abrams made. No matter what role she is in, she always gives it her all and is very effective at conveying the complexities of human emotion while kicking ass in a very physical and visceral way. She took what she was given and threw herself into it.
The other best decision JJ made was choosing Adam Driver. I wanted to see more Adam Driver as Ben Solo. That cockiness at the end with the lightsaber made me realize for a moment that I can see how he is Han and Leia’s kid. Him smiling at the end was a gut punch. I want more smiling Ben Solo kicking ass! COME ON! He’s a good actor!
An orphan learns her past lineage and tries to run from it and become a better person. She tries and fails many times, resulting in some mishaps and a tragic event that shapes her, only to rise again and reject what is wrong and seeks to do right. I would say there’s some pathos and a Shakespearean tragedy to unravel. GREAT IDEA. MEDIOCRE EXECUTION.
So, the Force can let you send sabers over the Force Cloud now. Okay, I guess I can see that and….WAIT FORCE HEALING...WHAT? So many questions!
Chewie got his medal. I clapped. He deserved it.
Wedge Antilles? Very unexpected and a nod to the fans.
Rey made her own gold lightsaber, from her own staff as well. Now that is cool BUT... how and when did she find time to do that?