‘Star Wars’: What was the point?

MAYBE I have been doing this for too long. Maybe I have been bamboozled by the genius of the Marvel cinematic franchise. But something just does not sit well about JJ Abrams’ take on the “Star Wars” franchise.

It has been said over and over again that Abrams was born to make a “Star Wars” and that his works on “Lost” and “Star Trek” were auditions for the job he was truly created for.

The reality is not impressive.

If Abrams’ job was to re-introduce “Star Wars” to the world, then “The Force Awakens” subtitle and the US$2 billion the film has grossed since release late last year make it a success.

Still, I am not impressed.

I have tried for months to come up with a clear position on why this hugely popular and commercially successful entry into the “Star Wars” series has failed to impress me. The best explanation I have conjured is that I am now immune to commercial drivel.

Commercial success does not always translate to substance.

The minute it was announced that “Star Wars” was returning after a 10-year hiatus, it was more or less guaranteed box office success. After all, no other series commands a bigger following and fans had waited a decade.

Signing on JJ Abrams as director was a stroke of genius as the guy has one of the biggest followings in his field, especially after his work on “Star Trek” and the “Mission Impossible” franchises.

“Star Wars — The Force Awakens” takes place 30 years after the events of the last entry as Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) is in hiding after having failed to conquer the dark side and train a new crop of Jedi warriors.

Princess Leila (Carrie Fisher) is now a general leading the resistance against a new enemy known as the First Order. Han Solo and Chewbacca are now renegades who roam the galaxy.

As clues to the disgraced Skywalker’s whereabouts emerge, the First Order seeks him out to destroy him.

The film appears to be a mere introductory act to reintroduce the franchise and build some hype for the next two editions in 2017 and 2019.

Yes, it was a nice nostalgic moment to catch up with a few of our beloved, and now aged, characters like Han Solo, General Leila and CP3O. But nothing really happens.

As far as introductions are concerned, this would rank fairly high on my Top 10 of the worst ever introductions of new characters into a franchise.

While so much time was spent on the “nostalgia factor” the new characters were completely neglected and lack screen time or material for us to invest any interest in them.

John Boyega (Finn) who could play a bigger role in the franchise going forward, was reduced to being the “token black”.

Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) lacks the presence and commanding voice that James Earl Jones brought to previous Darth Vaders.

While I am happy that the franchise has made its return, it is my hope that the next two instalments will be better.

Given the colossal disappointment that is “Star Wars — The Force Awakens”, it will be next to impossible for them to do any worse.

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