Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens

Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) marked a monumental return to a galaxy far, far away, directed by J.J. Abrams and produced under Disney's newly acquired Lucasfilm. Set 30 years after the fall of the Galactic Empire, the film introduces a new era of characters including Rey, Finn, Poe Dameron, and the conflicted antagonist Kylo Ren. Blending fresh faces with the legendary trio of Han Solo, Leia Organa, and Luke Skywalker (in a surprise cameo), the film effectively reboots the saga while remaining deeply rooted in its mythological past. Shot on 35mm film, with heavy reliance on practical effects and real-world locations like Abu Dhabi and Ireland, the movie aimed to recapture the original trilogy's grounded aesthetic. John Williams returned to compose the iconic score, with Lin-Manuel Miranda even contributing a cantina song. Financially, the film was a behemoth. With a net budget of approximately $447 million, it grossed over $2.07 billion worldwide, breaking records as the highest-grossing film of 2015 and the fastest to reach $1 billion (in just 12 days). Critics widely praised the film for its pacing, emotional beats, and visual splendor. It holds a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and received five Academy Award nominations. However, not all reception was glowing—some criticized its heavy reliance on nostalgia and structural parallels to A New Hope. Notably, Vatican media described Kylo Ren as “insipid” and critiqued the visual effects as “tacky,” while George Lucas himself lamented the lack of innovation. Despite these critiques, The Force Awakens succeeded in reinvigorating the franchise and setting the stage for a new trilogy.