Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) Review

"Assume everyone will betray you, and you will never be disappointed" - Beckett.

It really doesn't feel like any time has passed since Star Wars: The Last Jedi arrived to split audience opinion into extreme love or extreme hate for the latest instalment in the space epic franchise. Now, before Episode IX is released to no doubt divide opinion, we have the next entry in the "anthology" series: Solo: A Star Wars Story. 2016's Rogue One was an excellent addition to the series, as it brought a fresh angle to an already known story and some big risks, most notably the use of CGI to "resurrect" the late Peter Cushing. Solo, however, is a completely different take, opting to a tell a relatively more optimistic tale than Rogue One. Despite flying the Star Wars banner, Solo has performed far below expectations financially than any other before it. But is the film itself actually any good?

After the Galactic Empire has taken control of the galaxy, a young Han Solo (Alden Ehrenreich), alongside love interest Qi'ra (Emilia Clarke), makes a daring attempt to escape the murky streets of Corellia. Unfortunately, things don't go to plan, and Han soon finds himself teaming with a criminal gang led by the charismatic Beckett (Woody Harrelson). Eventually hired by crime lord Dryden Vos (Paul Bettany) for a new job, Beckett's crew, including wookie Chewbacca (Joonas Suotamo) and gambler Lando Calrissian (Donald Glover), set out to make the legendary "Kessel run" and settle their debt to Vos, all whilst being pursued by the mysterious Enfys Nest (Erin Kellyman).

Of all the recent Star Wars projects, Solo's premise is certainly the one that makes you think: "is this really a story we need to know?". The answer is, unfortunately, "no". We already know Han's personality and goals from the other films, and seeing him in his youth doesn't add any sort of depth to his character. Alden Ehrenreich does fine with the material he's given, but the script is severely lacking Han's trademark sarcasm and wit. There are moments when Ehrenreich breaks past the script and gives us a hint of a young Harrison Ford, but these are sparingly displayed and Han instead takes a back seat to the other characters (in a film that is named after him!). Whilst not all the characters in Solo are particularly memorable, Donald Glover's portrayal of young Lando Calrissian is a standout. Glover flawlessly embodies the charming but untrustworthy characteristics that Billy Dee Williams first introduced us to in 1980's The Empire Strikes Back. The mannerisms and inflections were spot on for Lando, which confuses me how the film can do a supporting character justice, but not its lead. Woody Harrleson brings his usual charisma to Beckett and makes a good pairing with Westworld's Thandie Newton in a brief role. Emilia Clarke, best known as Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones, brings a softer edge to the film as Qi'ra, but she also gets her chance to be tough and proves to be an essential member of Beckett's team. 

If there's one quality that makes the Star Wars films an essential piece of science-fiction, its the villains. From the dark lord himself, the Emperor, to iconic baddies such as Darth Vader,  Boba Fett, Darth Maul, Count Dooku and Kylo Ren, these characters are instantly recognisable and have resonated with audiences for years. In Solo, Paul Bettany is our primary antagonist, Dryden Vos. Though we are given a hint of his history with Beckett, we learn very little about Vos, and he never comes across as much of a threat. Whereas Boba Fett and Darth Maul weren't the most developed characters, their design and actions cemented them as instant fan favourites. Vos on the other hand isn't very distinguishable and, like Ehrenreich, Bettany tries his best to elevate the character above the script he's been handed. The mysterious Enfys Nest is a complete waste, appearing out of the blue and making no impact on the story whatsoever. It just goes to show that a cool design simply isn't enough to be a great Star Wars character, especially given the series rich history of iconic heroes and villains.

From a story perspective, I think there should have been an entirely different focus from what Solo gives us. I don't think we needed to see the Kessel run, as it's only a small anecdote in A New Hope and actually shows us nothing that we didn't already know. I would have preferred to see a story that challenges our opinion on the characters. Why not a story that shows Han working for Jabba the Hutt where he has difficult moral decisions to make due to the nature of his work? The plot of Solo does nothing to make us think differently or feel any deeper connection to Han. Its also worth mentioning that the humour throughout the film felt forced (no pun intended), something which many people found to be a problem with 2017's The Last Jedi. There are too many moments of pausing for laughs, that and the jokes themselves aren't actually that funny. The only one I really liked was hearing the famous Imperial March music being played in a major key for a piece of Empire propaganda.

Whilst it has moments of being a fun adventure, Solo is an ultimately pointless venture. The flashes of good performances and the odd set-piece aren't enough to separate it from the many similar blockbusters seen in cinemas nowadays. Star Wars became a sensation for breaking new ground with old stories. Solo simply plays it safe and offers nothing more than "here's Han Solo in his youth". Even then, the character hardly resembles the rough scoundrel we know and love, making this arguably the weakest entry in the saga to date.

Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (2017) Review

"I only know one truth. It's time for the Jedi... to end." - Luke Skywalker

Chances are by the time this review is posted, you will have already seen the newest entry in the Star Wars saga. If you haven't, consider this your spoiler warning. I don't think I can truly say how I feel about this particular film without discussing major plot points and characters, and that's down to the fact that Star Wars: The Last Jedi is a completely different entry in what's perhaps the biggest and most popular film series ever made. The reception of this film from fans and critics is one of the most divisive I've ever seen, and that's something I really didn't expect. As always, I'll be sticking to my own opinion and ignore being swayed by what other's think of the film. That being said, let's dive into the maze that is Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

After a hard earned victory against the sinister First Order at the end of The Force Awakens (2015), the brave Resistance now find themselves on the back foot. With the armies of the First Order, led by the mysterious Snoke (Andy Serkis) closing in, it's up to Finn (John Boyega), Poe (Oscar Isaac) and Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher, in her final film role) to hatch a plan to save what's left of their side of the fight. Meanwhile, Rey (Daisy Ridley) has finally come face-to-face with Jedi Master Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), and hopes that she can convince him to re-join the conflict and confront his former student, Kylo Ren (Adam Driver). As Rey learns the ways of the Force, she is conflicted with whom she can entirely trust, with neither Luke or Kylo seeming entirely as she first thought...

One of the joys of The Force Awakens was seeing how the new characters interacted with the classic Star Wars heroes, and The Last Jedi continues this effectively with the teacher/student relationship between Luke and Rey. Her training scenes are some of the film's standout moments, and director Rian Johnson adds his own spin on portraying the effects of the Force. During a meditation, we are able to see what Rey sees, which is shown through several edits of different parts of the island, which I found to be a particularly intriguing choice. In terms of Rey's progression as a Jedi, we see her growing into a more confident, independent warrior, even besting Luke in combat in one scene. I really enjoyed Rey's introduction in the last film, and her journey continues to be the most fascinating part of this trilogy for me. Mark Hamill effortlessly brings his charisma as Luke Skywalker back to the series, but this is an altogether different take on the character. Being that he feels he failed the Jedi order in not stopping the rise of Kylo Ren, Luke is now a distant, tragic figure. His trademark optimism is completely absent, something which Mark Hamill was initially concerned about. For me, it was cool to see a new interpretation of the character, as so much time has passed since Return of the Jedi (1983). However, some moments are a little jarring, such as him comedically throwing away his old lightsaber, which isn't entirely how I think Luke would react, regardless of age.

The other heroes are a bit hit-and-miss, but thankfully the returning Finn and Poe are still a delight. Poe's role is greatly expanded in this film, with us finally seeing him becoming a leader and willing to do whatever's necessary to help the Resistance. I felt like we barley got to see him in The Force Awakens, but The Last Jedi has definitely made me feel more of an attachment to the character. John Boyega is still as witty and likeable as ever, with Finn given an important quest to find an ally to help them escape the clutches of the First Order. Finn adds levity and charm to this quest, which is definitely needed considering his companion, Rose (Kelly Marie Tran), isn't much fun. I found her character to be a bit all over the place, with her quickly forming an attachment to Finn despite her first scene with him ending with her electrocuting him for attempting to flee the fight. She never seems to lighten up, even in the company of such charismatic people like Finn and Poe, and so I never really found myself caring for her too much.

If you thought Kylo Ren was conflicted in The Force Awakens, you haven't seen anything yet. Just about the most angst-y character created for Star Wars, Ren aka Ben Solo's journey to the Dark Side is complex and engrossing. Having murdered his father and "given everything" to embrace the darkness, his master, Snoke, sees him as a failure. This makes Ren more determined than ever to thwart the Resistance and become "the new Vader". I really enjoyed the dynamic between Ren and Snoke, especially Snoke referring to Ren at one point  as being "just a child in a mask". However, just as I was looking forward to seeing more of them together and possibly finding out more about Snoke, he is killed off and Ren becomes the new Supreme Leader. Whilst his death scene is pretty cool, I feel Snoke is ultimately a missed opportunity. He appears to be strong with the Force, but we never learn of how he corrupted Ben Solo or where he came from. Even though these things can still be explained in the next film, it would have fleshed out his character whilst he was still alive. And speaking of wasting characrers, Captain Phasma (Gwendoline Christie) is back for a brief encounter with Finn and is then quickly killed off, too. Having done very little in the first film, only having her appear in one sequence and then being killed makes the character look like a bit of a joke. 

The final performance I should mention is of course the late Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia. The main thing I want to talk about is her final scene with Luke, which was a very special moment. This is her standout moment in these new films for me, as she plays the emotional aspect of the reunion with her brother very well. I still feel using her american accent doesn't quite suit the character, but this is only a minor complaint. She does have other notable scenes, one in particular splitting the fans as to whether it was awesome or the most ridiculous thing they've ever seen. After being blasted out into space, Leia uses the force to pull herself back to safety, and soon recovers completely. Whilst it is pretty silly, I personally didn't have a problem seeing Leia use the Force, as she is after all the sister of Luke Skywalker and has most likely learned to use it between Episodes 6 and 7. Maybe it would have been better to not have her use it to do something as far-fetched as surviving the vacuum of space, but then again, this is a series with laser swords and a 900 year old little green muppet being able to do flips and levitate ships, so I guess I can't complain too much.

Much has been said about the film's run-time and whether it was necessary for the film to be two and a half hours long. I wasn't too concerned, considering the prequel films were all close to that run-time, and surely it would make the film feel grander? Well, yes and no. There are moments here that truly deserve a lot of time dedicated to them, such as Rey's Jedi training, and other sequences that over stay their welcome. The subplot of Finn and Rose searching for a "master codebreaker" to help them escape from the First Order drags at times, and a lot of it feels more like something you'd see in a Harry Potter film than in Star Wars. Whilst the chase scene in this subplot is well done, it could easily be cut from the film and you wouldn't feel like anything was missing, and maybe the film would flow better as a result. With so much drama between Rey, Luke and Kylo, the stuff with the Resistance doesn't feel as important as it should, despite the performances of Isaac and Boyega.

Rian Johnson certainly deserves credit for being willing to take risks with The Last Jedi. He's created a Star Wars film that is truly his own. Some of these gambles didn't sit too well with me the first time around, but after a second viewing, I appreciated them more. The heroes of this new trilogy are quickly becoming my favourite part about them,and I also look forward to seeing what the next stage in Kylo Ren's development is. Whilst some moments feel a little bloated or naff, The Last Jedi has enough charm and drama to keep you invested in the characters and story. It may not be as satisfactory an experience as The Force Awakens, but it's still a fun and intriguing adventure, and a worthy addition to the saga. 

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) Review

"We have hope. Rebellions are built on hope!" - Jyn Erso

Happy New Year to all. I've held off reviewing the latest Star Wars as by the time this review goes out, I will have seen the film twice. Being that Star Wars is one of my favourite film series, I think it's only fair to give my full opinion after having seen it again in the cinema. One of the biggest films of last year, Rogue One has been a massive hit with critics, but more of a mixed bag with fans. Me personally, I'm leaning more to the critics side for this one. Finally, I'd like to mention that this review does contain spoilers, so if you have yet to see the film, check back here after you've seen it.

In the opening text of 1977's Star Wars, we are informed that the Rebels have stolen plans to a weapon known as the Death Star, an enormous space station used by the Galactic Empire to spread fear throughout the galaxy. Rogue One takes place a few days before this event, where we meet Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones), whose father Galen (Mads Mikkelsen) has been captured by Director Orson Krennic (Ben Mendelsohn) to complete the Death Star's construction. In an attempt to rescue her father, Jyn joins the Rebels, teaming up with Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) and droid K-2SO (Alan Tudyk). Upon learning that the plans to the Death Star are located on a planet occupied by the Empire's military, Jyn assembles a rag-tag group of soldiers to launch a desperate assault against the Empire in a bid to rid the galaxy of their rule.

When I first heard of the plot of the film, I wasn't too excited. Granted, we've never seen the story of how the Rebels stole the plans to the Death Star, but I didn't think it was an interesting enough idea to sustain a two-hour plus blockbuster. However, upon the reveal of a new plot point that will change the way you look at the original Star Wars, I was fully immersed. One thing most people point out as being one of the silliest aspects in the first Star Wars was how easy it was to blow up the Death Star. In Rogue One, that issue is addressed with a clever solution as to why that is. From that point on, I was completely drawn in, and it allowed me to appreciate director Gareth Edward's new angle for a Star Wars film. Tone-wise, Edwards has crafted a very different look to previous entries in the series, appropriately going for a grittier, darker presentation. The violence isn't highly stylised, instead opting for intensity and suspense. There is no slick choreography or crazy stunts like in the prequel trilogy, which allows for greater drama and engagement. It's the first Star Wars film to actually feel like a war film, which was a good decision given the nature of the story and to give audiences something new.

Like The Force Awakens, fans were excited to meet new characters in the Star Wars universe, as well as the return of some familiar faces. The new characters comprise the main cast, with Jyn Erso as our protagonist and Orson Krennic as the primary villain. Jyn is very similar to Rey in The Force Awakens, growing up without a real family and being thrust into a war where she will have a key part to play. Starting out as reckless and eventually learning to care about and trust the Rebels, Jyn goes through quite a journey throughout the film's two hours, and I found her to be an engaging lead. I felt her transition to becoming a leader was well handled, as she shows strength and courage right from the beginning, and she uses these qualities to inspire hope for the Rebels. Orson Krennic is quite the opposite. Completely self-centred and using fear to get what he wants, Krennic is a ruthless individual. Such is his desire to elevate beyond his current position, that he clashes with several other members of the Empire, including Darth Vader. He also has history with the Erso family, capturing Galen and killing Jyn's mother at the start of the film. I was very pleased the story didn't just become a revenge fantasy for Jyn and kept its focus on the greater storyline of the Rebel's struggle against the Empire. Still, when Jyn and Krennic finally come face-to-face, it is an emotionally driven confrontation and was one of a number of highlights in the film for me.

Now the spoiler stuff, which I thankfully avoided completely before my first viewing. One of the big talking points of Rogue One is the inclusion of Grand Moff Tarkin, a character who appeared in the first Star Wars played by Peter Cushing. Cushing died in 1994, and so it seemed his character's inclusion in this film was impossible. However, to my amazement, Tarkin actually shows up, with his first appearance facing away from the camera. When he turned around, there was Peter Cushing. Much has now been written about the techniques involved in creating this state-of-the-art digital recreation, but more so on whether or not bringing back dead actors via this technique is indeed ethical. Seeing how the filmmakers received permission and help from Peter Cushing's estate and that Tarkin is a central character to the Death Star story, I think this inclusion was incredible. It was such a shock to see his face again, but I was delighted to see more of this character. Later on, the same process is used to have Princess Leia appear as she did back in 1977, with her delivering the film's last line. Surprisingly, despite her face only appearing for a few seconds, the effect is inferior to the CGI Tarkin, but I still love that they had her in the film, especially now after the passing of Carrie Fisher.

Then there's Darth Vader. Having already been shown in the trailers, I knew he would appear at some point, but I also didn't expect him to play a large role. He has only a few scenes, but I thought each of them were great. He has arguably the best moment in the film: mercilessly cutting down a group of Rebels like the Grim Reaper. James Earl Jones returns to voice Vader, and it really wouldn't be the same without him. Hearing that iconic voice again reminded me of watching the original trilogy as a child, which is exactly how The Force Awakens made me feel. If they continue to make Star Wars films in this way, I'll almost certainly love each and every one of them. 

The negatives I have are to do with the pacing of the beginning and ending. I imagine pretty much everybody has seen the original Star Wars, but I think the film was too reliant on this, as it wastes no time in chucking a ton of exposition at you. We visit far too many planets in such a small amount of time, which makes it difficult to establish exactly who the characters are and at what point in the Star Wars timeline we are in. The ending also throws all it can at you in terms of the final battle. There's ground battles, sky battles and a space battle all going on at the same time, ending with Vader's invasion of the rebel ship. Like the opening of the film, I found it difficult to process where all the characters were despite having seen the film twice now. I enjoyed the action overall, but too much at same time is a bit exhausting, especially when the only battle that really mattered was Jyn and Cassian's attempt to steal the Death Star plans.

While some see Rogue One as the beginning of a process that "cheapens" the Star Wars experience, I for one are more than happy to see more anthology films if they are this well made. Though the beginning and ending was a bit too much all at once, the bulk of the film exceeded my expectations. It builds upon previously established Star Wars elements with new ideas and engaging characters, as well as having more than enough well done fan service along the way. Like The Force Awakens did for the sequel trilogy, Rogue One has paved the way for the next instalments in the anthology series by delivering an exciting, intriguing and thoroughly enjoyable Star Wars film. May the force be with the next films, because Rogue One just upped the game. 

SPOILER Thoughts on Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens

My final review of 2015 was of the most anticipated release of that year, Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens. Now that that film has more than likely been seen by everyone, and my review of the film being spoiler free, I would like to post my thoughts on the moments we all agreed not to reveal. So, for anyone who is still yet to see the film, stop reading now! For everyone else, here are my thoughts on three of the biggest spoilers from the new Star Wars film.

Before its release, much of the build up to The Force Awakens centred around the mysterious new villain, Kylo Ren. With his face hidden behind a mask and a distorted voice, no clues where given as to whom exactly he was. We learn his identity not long into the film, which sets up a key confrontation later. The reveal of Ren to be Han Solo's son was one I didn't expect, though it was hinted by Max von Sydow's character that he initially came from a good family. Like Darth Vader in the original trilogy, having a villain with a personal connection to the heroes makes for greater drama and threat. Having learnt his identity, we then see Ren without his mask in some scenes, which allows him to express himself more and further engage with him. It also gives him a vulnerability, which I thought worked well in developing his character. He had some good comedic moments, too, but was still overall a threatening and engaging villain.

Now the big one. The one thing that nobody saw coming. Han Solo is killed off after a confrontation with Kylo Ren. The scene was very dramatic, with Solo trying to convince Ren that he is being manipulated by Supreme Leader Snoke, the film's Emperor Palpatine-like figure. The confrontation between the two was set up nicely, and you could tell something major was going to happen. I felt as though Ren may kill his father, but there is a brief moment in which he appears to be handing over his lightsaber. Though he ends up using it to kill Solo, this was a very powerful moment in the confrontation, and was superbly paced. Fans of the series will know that Harrison Ford suggested Han Solo to be killed off in The Empire Strikes Back, but this was decided against so that he have a part to play in winning the fight against the Empire in Return of the Jedi. Having him killed off in this first of three films may serve as a pivotal part of the story, as Ren has clearly chosen the dark side, and Rey may seek revenge as she considered Solo a father figure.

The final thing I want to talk about is something people may have suspected when they saw the poster for the film: Where is Luke Skywalker? His voice appears in one of the trailers, but we only see him briefly. On the poster, he isn't there at all. There were all sorts of theories suggesting his absence from fans (one of which suggested the Luke has turned evil and is in fact Kylo Ren). From the opening of The Force Awakens, we are told that Luke has vanished, and that The First Order are after a map that will lead them to his whereabouts. Han Solo reveals that Luke was training Kylo Ren to be a Jedi, but fled once he turned evil. Luke does make an appearance, albeit right at the end of the film, The map leads Rey to the planet Luke fled to, and she offers Luke's old lightsaber to him, all without any dialogue. I liked that there was no dialogue in this scene, as the audience was already anticipating seeing Luke, and so just his appearance in the new film was enough to make everyone excited. It is most likely he will have a key role in the next film, but I felt his brief appearance here was done well. The scene ends rather abruptly, but the scene was so well directed that it felt like a more than suitable way to end the film.

So there you have it, my full thoughts on The Force Awakens. It's not often I do two posts on one film, but the new Star Wars film has offered so many thrills and twists that it felt appropriate to give both a spoiler-free review and my thoughts on those moments that had us talking at length. Next week, I revisit the blood-soaked, fast-talking world of Quentin Tarantino, as I bring you a review of The Hateful Eight...

Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens Review

"I was raised to do one thing... but I've got nothing to fight for." - Finn.

First things first, I won't spoil anything. As much as I would love to write about every single thing that happens, this really is a film that you should watch without having read too much about the plot and character details. So here we go: we have a new Star Wars film and, thankfully, it's a good one. Star Wars was something I really cherished growing up, and was easily a primary factor in kicking off my interest in film from a young age. I was mesmerised by the action and creatures, and learned to appreciate the story as I got older. The first Star Wars film I ever saw was Episode I: The Phantom Menace back in 1999. I was four years old, and soon after, I endlessly watched the original trilogy on VHS. Back then, the idea of Episode VII was just a dream, and I couldn't see it ever being made. Years later, here I am reviewing it.

I'll describe the plot as briefly as I can. The film is set 30 years after the events of Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. After the fall of the Galactic Empire, a new threat has arisen: the First Order. Lead by the mysterious Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), they seek to hunt down any traces of the Jedi, which leads them to the planet Jakku. There, they encounter skilled pilot Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac), who possesses a map that will reveal the location of Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamil). With the map hidden inside his droid companion BB-8, the map must be returned to the Resistance, a small group that oppose the First Order. Eventually, BB-8 joins forces with Jakku resident Rey (Daisy Ridley) and rogue First Order soldier Finn (John Boyega). The team, accompanied by the familiar faces of Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew), set off to join up with the rest of the Resistance in order to stop the First Order from ruling the galaxy.

Like the original trilogy, the focus in The Force Awakens is all on the characters. Star Wars has never been a franchise that has sold itself on the basis of a complex story, and so you need good characters to keep you engaged. The new characters, Rey and Finn, are both very likeable and are given plenty of depth. Finn strives to do the right thing, despite his connection to the First Order and Rey is troubled by her past. The performances of Boyega and Ridley greatly aids their likeability, and the two of them have fantastic on-screen chemistry. Of course, the film would feel empty without the return of some familiar faces. Harrison Ford, much as he did with Indiana Jones seven years ago, slips back into his iconic role with ease. It was such a joy to see the old players in a new Star Wars film, and to have them complimented by such a talented new cast. Kylo Ren is our villain for this latest instalment, and I felt he was a welcome addition to the long line of Star Wars antagonists. I felt the choice to give him some well handled comedic moments was a smart one, as it shows a conscious effort to make him more than just evil. 

As one would expect, the film has plenty of action sequences. Again, I won't go into too much detail for fear of spoiling anything. Compared to the prequels, which certainly placed action as the priority over story, The Force Awakens structures the action in a way that feels better paced and more natural alongside the story. In some moments in the prequel trilogy, it felt like some of the action was there simply because there hadn't been a fight for sometime. In that sense, the action was just there to keep anyone from getting bored by the lengthy exposition. In The Force Awakens, the action works well with the story because the plot is more character driven, and so ensures the action remains exciting rather than simply being a distraction. 

A massive plus for me was the use of practical special effects. I mentioned in my Jurassic World review that I was disappointed by the film using too much CGI when I had heard a more practical approach was going to be used to bring the creatures to life. In The Force Awakens, CGI is only used when necessary, and so the various monsters and set-pieces look far more convincing and impressive. I hope future blockbuster films follow in The Force Awakens' footsteps in this regard. It always looks better if you can have something really there in front of the camera, rather than using CGI all the time.

My only gripe, and its only a minor one, is that the story felt a little too reliant on a previous Star Wars film. Now, this one has plenty new to offer with its well developed characters and old cast returned for expanded roles, but the basic premise felt a bit too familiar. I am willing to be more forgiving for the film's basic plot, however, as it serves as primarily an introduction to the new characters, and needed to be less exposition filled than the prequels. Hopefully the next instalments in this new trilogy can create a bigger scale plot, but not one that falls into the same problems that plagued Episodes I-III.

I really do want to go into further detail, but everyone has remained so tight-lipped on the details of the plot, characters and action, that I can't help but feel morally obliged to stop here. In short, the film has managed to live up to the huge expectations as both a sequel and re-introduction to series. Gone is the awkward dialogue and length exposition of the prequels, allowing for a more exciting and engaging experience. It celebrates everything that is wonderful about Star Wars, and is sure to please both dedicated fans and new audiences. The force is strong with this one!

Pros:
+ Engaging new characters, and good use of the old players.
+ Good pacing for the action, with plenty of room to develop the characters.
+ Excellent performances from the cast (particularly Boyega and Ridley).
+ The championing of practical effects when possible.

Cons:
- The reliance on a previous Star Wars story formula, but this is only a minor complaint.

A Tribute to Sir Christopher Lee (1922-2015)

It's always a great shame to hear of the passing of such an incredible talent. For me, Christopher Lee was one of those actors that could captivate audiences just from them hearing the sound of his incredible voice. Today we heard the news that he has passed away at the age of 93. Starring in too many films to count, Christopher Lee holds the distinct merit of entertaining audiences from several generations, and his legacy has been firmly cemented throughout his incredible career. 

What I most admired about Lee was his ability to make a role completely his own. The biggest testament to this is his performance as Dracula, a character famously portrayed by Bela Lugosi in 1931. Lugosi's Dracula set the tone for how Dracula would be perceived in pop-culture, with his thick Hungarian accent and piercing eyes. When Christopher Lee first took on the role in Hammer Studio's 1958 remake, he deviated his performance entirely from Lugosi's. Lee's Dracula was a monster for the then modern audience, with a more demented stare and emphasis on Dracula's physicality, performing various stunts and having many variations on how Dracula was defeated in each film. The fact that Lee was able to escape the shadow of Lugosi's iconic portrayal of the character shows just how good a performer he was, with him considered just as good, if not a better Dracula by audiences today.

As a kid, I grew up loving both the Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings series of films. In both franchises, Lee played a primary antagonist: the devious Count Dooku and powerful wizard Saruman the White respectively. Lee's voice alone makes him the perfect choice for both characters. His soft, yet powerful delivery ensured the audience's focus was always held, and added well to both character's display of power. Many people criticise the Star Wars prequel trilogy, but there can be no denying that Lee's portrayal of Count Dooku adds a certain class to the films. Dooku isn't a loud, bombastic villain, and so Lee's calmness allows Dooku's aura to be menacing, but with a sense of serenity. As Saruman in The Lord of the Rings and subsequent prequel trilogy The Hobbit, we again see how Lee completely makes the character his own. It is in these films that his delivery and voice is at its most effective, with Saruman commanding armies and consulting with primary anatgonist Sauron to bring doom to Middle Earth. His scenes with Gandalf (Ian McKellen) are the best, particularly in The Fellowship of the Ring, with Saruman's presence, to Gandalf, being one of hope and aid to defeat Sauron. As the scene progresses, however, we slowly learn that Saruman has joined Sauron's forces, and Lee's performance appropriately slowly builds an atmosphere of uncertainty and dread, making Lee one of the standout performers in such a massive cast.

Outside of film, Christopher Lee was the oldest artist to perform in the genre of Heavy Metal music. Not only lending his vocal talents to bands such as Rhapsody of Fire, but also recording his own albums. In an interview with Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi, it was revealed that Lee was an early influence for the band. They were fans of his horror films, and so they incorporated some of the themes and imagery into their lyrics. Black Sabbath are often cited as the first Heavy Metal band, so the fact that Lee was an influence for their music shows how he affected a vast amount of people, further indicating his importance to the world of not only film, but music.

In short, Lee was a one-of-a-kind talent. The kind of performer that doesn't come around so often. One of the most distinctive and recognisable entertainers to have ever lived, his influence on the entertainment industry will long be around, even now after his saddening departure. Christopher Lee, I salute you. Rest in peace.