Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens

Name: Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
Released: December 18, 2015
Duration: 135 min
Rating: 80
Cast: Adam Driver, Carrie Fisher, Daisy Ridley, Domhnall Gleeson, Harrison Ford

2015

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 55 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 7961 Ratings

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6.7

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6.7	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 7961 Ratings

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Star Wars: The Force Awakens

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Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens

Movie Details & Credits

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures | Release Date: December 18, 2015 | PG-13

Starring: Adam Driver, Carrie Fisher, Daisy Ridley, Domhnall Gleeson, Harrison Ford, John Boyega, Mark Hamill, Oscar Isaac

Summary: Thirty years after the Battle of Endor, a new threat has risen in the form of the First Order and the villainous Kylo Ren. Meanwhile, Rey, a young scavenger, discovers powers that will change her life -- and possibly save the galaxy.

Director: J.J. Abrams

Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Fantasy

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 135 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Isaac Feldberg

Dec 14, 2016

Star Wars: The Force Awakens is some kind of miracle. It works on every imaginable level - as a heartfelt love letter to fans, an irresistible invitation to newbies, a visual marvel and a blockbuster of unparalleled emotional heft and cultural significance. Read full review

100

Calvin Wilson

Dec 16, 2015

Perhaps the greatest triumph of Star Wars: The Force Awakens is that it justifies the enormous hype. Working from a screenplay that he co-wrote with Michael Arndt and Lawrence Kasdan, director J.J. Abrams (“Star Trek”) brings fresh energy to the franchise while adhering to the storytelling values that made it matter in the first place. Read full review

Peter Rainer

Dec 16, 2015

If the sequels to “The Force Awakens” are as good as this film, that will probably be because they follow the same formula: heavy on the human side, more comedy, less CGI, more fresh faces, and more delightful droids. And, yes, one must pay homage to the Force. Read full review

Alonso Duralde

Dec 16, 2015

Abrams had the benefit of learning what didn’t work in Lucas’ prequels, and he’s gone in the opposite direction. He’s also set an interesting course for moving forward with this engaging cast playing new characters making their way through this beloved universe. Read full review

James Berardinelli

Dec 16, 2015

So what’s the final verdict? A mixed bag. It’s a good start to a new trilogy but hardly the hoped-for masterpiece. It’s a solid space opera spectacle with enough nostalgia to overpower even the most hard-hearted child of the ‘70s and ‘80s but it relies a little too much on recycling old plot elements. Read full review

Michael Roffman

Dec 16, 2015

Abrams and Kasdan’s respective humor and pathos push the characters beyond some of the more rote and redundant storytelling. So while it’s not always compelling, it’s always fun. Read full review

Andrew O'Hehir

Dec 16, 2015

You can choose to understand The Force Awakens as an embrace of the mythological tradition, in which the same stories recur over and over with minor variations. Or you can see it as the ultimate retreat into formula.... There are moments when it feels like both of those things, profound and cynical, deeply satisfying and oddly empty. Read full review

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User Reviews

Deathstroke_42

Dec 18, 2015

“This will begin to make things right.” So speaks Max Von Sydow in the first words of The Force Awakens; and how appropriate that is. In short, The Force Awakens is an enormous triumph, a return to the ways of the original trilogy, and, specifically, what made them so loved, and so good. All“This will begin to make things right.” So speaks Max Von Sydow in the first words of The Force Awakens; and how appropriate that is. In short, The Force Awakens is an enormous triumph, a return to the ways of the original trilogy, and, specifically, what made them so loved, and so good. All due respect and admiration to George Lucas for creating the Star Wars universe, but JJ Abrams truly seems to understand what made the originals so damn good better than Lucas himself- intrigue. Mysticism. Tragedy. Fun. Is it a perfect movie? No. No movie is, truly. But for everything that didn’t quite sit right- of which there aren’t many- there were a plethora of other things which Abrams and his crew perfectly hit the target with.

The Force Awakens is a sequel worth waiting 30 years for (and it is, make no mistake, the best Star Wars movie since at least 1983), with a stellar cast (Ridley and Driver shine, but every new and old face alike command the screen and so obviously want to be there, and that brings the whole thing to life); incredible direction and smart writing; and stunning aliens, visuals, and great characters- all of which are so fresh and unique with the perfect blend of old and new it injects life into this universe sometimes just by aesthetic, with Chewie, Han and C390 still bringing the laugh, while new additions like BB-8 cement themselves as worthy, the quirky droid destined to be a fan favourite and loved as only two droids ever have been. How I’ve missed the magic of this galaxy, far, far away. And here we are, launched back into two and a half hours of sheer brilliance, with all of the magic, wit and fun which made the original trilogy what it was. Episode VII is certainly a great indicator for things to come, leaving you craving more with its phenomenal ending and, even still, it provides a triumphant, hugely satisfying adventure on its own, realising my hopes as a fan, and surpassing them. Accordingly, while no movie is perfect, it gets a 10 from me.… Expand

563 of 809 users found this helpful563246

vaskoprasko

Dec 23, 2015

This movie is pure awesomeness, starting from the characters who are done soo good like Kylo Rey BB-8 with a lot of emotions and passion, the plot is pretty good too a little bit similar to the first one but i did not mind that, also the effect were stunning and the acting on spot. The filmThis movie is pure awesomeness, starting from the characters who are done soo good like Kylo Rey BB-8 with a lot of emotions and passion, the plot is pretty good too a little bit similar to the first one but i did not mind that, also the effect were stunning and the acting on spot. The film is also full of twist wich I really diged. All and all a movie worth every penny and a great 10/10 ( 5/7 :D )… Expand

6 of 36 users found this helpful630

flemieux

Dec 22, 2015

Star Wars The Force Awakens IS nostalgic, flashy, cheesy, romantic, funny, cute, dramatic, predictable, commercial BUT... and most importantly... it is Fun.
Star Wars The Force Awakens IS NOT gritty, hardcore, realistic, thought provoking, logical nor does it take itself too seriously and IStar Wars The Force Awakens IS nostalgic, flashy, cheesy, romantic, funny, cute, dramatic, predictable, commercial BUT... and most importantly... it is Fun.
Star Wars The Force Awakens IS NOT gritty, hardcore, realistic, thought provoking, logical nor does it take itself too seriously and I can see why self-defined hardcore fans can have a problem with that. I saw Empire in theatres when it came out. I read Zahn, played the RPG and devoured SW lore my entire life. I had and At-At and a Falcon and a bunch of figurines only My Vader did not stay in its plastic container, it came out to play and, eventually, broke and went to garbage compactor heaven.
For those fans trying to recapture that feeling they had when they were 10... No Movie, no matter how awesome, will do that for you. You can't keep your childhood in a neat plastic wrapper.
This Movie hit all the right notes for me. It managed to eclipse the horror that are the prequels and satisfied my inner geek.
When all is said and done this is a fun movie with a great cast and a truly wonderful nod to the creators and actors of the originals.… Expand

7 of 29 users found this helpful722

Darragho

Jan 2, 2016

Rushed, shallow and a very safe play character and storywise. Some great sound design and visuals in there. Let's hope Rian can bring something new for the next one.

15 of 30 users found this helpful1515

Deadly_Traveler

Dec 23, 2015

People who can't make a cartoon without over9000 singing scenes just can't make adorable content.

Well unfortunately this movie is horrible. I don't even understand why they made a movie with pro jedi woman who had never used light sword and then wrecked this ugly freak antagonist in 20People who can't make a cartoon without over9000 singing scenes just can't make adorable content.

Well unfortunately this movie is horrible. I don't even understand why they made a movie with pro jedi woman who had never used light sword and then wrecked this ugly freak antagonist in 20 sec. Stupid black troop who isn't jedi but is pro at fighting on swords (seriously?) etc. The movie just doesn't feel like something good, it's blank and boring. Better don't watch it or watch when the whole trilogy is out.… Expand

30 of 50 users found this helpful3020

Raven25

Jan 5, 2016

Worst villain of any star wars movie yet, rivaled only by Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader in Episode III and played by a terrible actor. The 'all angsty teenagers with anger management issues go to the dark side' theme didn't work in Episode III and it sure as hell doesn't work now. As a matterWorst villain of any star wars movie yet, rivaled only by Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader in Episode III and played by a terrible actor. The 'all angsty teenagers with anger management issues go to the dark side' theme didn't work in Episode III and it sure as hell doesn't work now. As a matter of fact, its even worse this time because at least in Episode III it was original.

Half the story is taken directly from A New Hope. Originality fail - the movie is predictable and boring because of this. Too much time in the movie is spent dwelling on the point that women can do what men can too. I counted a solid 20min. I want to see Star Wars, not Gender Wars. I'm not sure what to think about the black stormtrooper - on one hand - its affirmative action nonsense yet on the other hand they've made the character as hateable as Jar Jar Binks - overly enthusiastic about everything, overacting everything and nonsensical attempts at comic relief.

**Spoiler Alert**

The only good character in the movie (Han Solo) who is played by a great actor gets killed off in the most predictable and unglamorous way. Stabbed in the front and thrown off a bridge,

The next best character whose acting is great is not a human at all. Its BB-8. This is very sad.

Not gonna bother spending time/money on the next one.

JJ Abrams should return to Star Trek and not further tarnish his otherwise great reputation in Sci Fi with this nonsense.… Expand

73 of 125 users found this helpful7352

Erimud

Oct 25, 2019

Protagonist goes from learning about the force to mastering it over the course of a couple days. Antagonist is an under developed whiny gimmick and the actor who plays him (Adam Driver) has the most stiff and uncoordinated chirography I've ever seen in a star wars film.
I can force myself toProtagonist goes from learning about the force to mastering it over the course of a couple days. Antagonist is an under developed whiny gimmick and the actor who plays him (Adam Driver) has the most stiff and uncoordinated chirography I've ever seen in a star wars film.
I can force myself to re-watch Episode 1 and find moments in the film I enjoy, the same cannot be said about this episode.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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68	#68 Best Movie of 2015
1	#1 Most Discussed Movie of 2015
1	#1 Most Shared Movie of 2015