March 28, 2024

The movie we need, not the movie we deserve

Editor’s note: This column was first published Dec. 24, 2015.

If you’re a frequent reader of my column, you will not be surprised and might have already guessed what I’m going to speak of this week. Yes, we are now living in a world where “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” has been revealed to the world. And it was awesome.

As a movie-goer, I’m typically offended by many of the big-budget Hollywood action movies that believe a recognizable face, a few one-liners mixed with two hours of explosions is all it will take to win over an audience. Film makers should really give the public some credit. We want witty dialogue, we want character development, we want to care about the characters being created in front of us on screen and be concerned about their fate. The new Star Wars movie does that with a little something extra.

Director J.J. Abrams is the ultimate fan boy. He is a master at paying homage to some of his favorite films — cue the Tie-Fighter silhouettes flying in front of a setting sun. A little “Apocalypse Now” to be sure. Although Abrams might lack some originality in his plot points, the director does exactly what he needed to do. He created a smart, fast pace film that held true to the original Star Wars Trilogy but still managed to further the story, and it was exhilarating.

He facilitated on-screen chemistry between lead actors Daisy Ridely and John Boyega that was missed in the prequel trilogy. It made us forget about some of the bigoted online comments about Boyega’s race from folks who probably wouldn’t enjoy Star Wars anyway because it’s lighthearted and caring — two traits some of the racist, online trolls in the lead-up to the film do not share.

When the original Star Wars was released in 1977, Americans were in need of a moment — in need of a distraction from the wake of Vietnam and Watergate, from an economic downturn and a lack of energy. They needed a little fun.

I see similar parallels in today’s world. We are constantly bombarded with sad news on a global scale. From the war refugee crisis in the middle east, to the shootings in Paris and the bombing in San Bernardino, people need a to be reminded there is still fun left in the Galaxy. Although the feeling will never reach the scale of those who are directly affected, strife can weigh heavily even on observers. That’s what Star Wars is for me — a way to leave that grief stricken world, if only for 120 minutes.

Star Wars classic archetypes of good vs evil — especially when we know good will ultimately triumph —family and unity under a common cause brings out the youthful idealism in all of us. And, if only for a few moments, it gives movie-goers the feeling the world will overcome its challenges. It has to. It’s the will of the Force.

Contact Mike Mendenhall at

mmendenhall@newtondailynews.com