Can the eager first-day viewers of the “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” trailer who saw it 112 million times online be all wrong? What about the true believers who purchased $50 million and counting worth of advance tickets — can they be mistaken about this film too?
No, they’re not, but they can be only half-right, which is what they turn out to be.
Perhaps inevitably, this, the most hotly anticipated motion picture since “Gone With the Wind,” has an erratic, haphazard quality to it. Though a definite improvement on the last three abortive “Star Wars” prequels directed by series creator George Lucas, “The Force Awakens” is only at its best in fits and starts, its success dependent on who of its mix of franchise veterans and first-timers is on the screen.
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Stormtroopers interact with the crowd at the red-carpet premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” in Hollywood.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Daisy Ridley, who stars as the new character Rey, arrives at the red-carpet premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” in Hollywood.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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John Boyega, who stars as Finn, arrives at the red-carpet premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” in Hollywood.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Gwendoline Christie, who plays Captain Phasma, arrives at the red-carpet premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” in Hollywood.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Carrie Fisher, who reprises the iconic Leia, plays with the photographers at the red-carpet premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” in Hollywood.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Lupita Nyong’o, who plays Maz Kanata, arrives at the red-carpet premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” in Hollywood.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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George Lucas, left, creator of the “Star Wars franchise, and director J.J. Abrams chat at the red-carpet premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” in Hollywood.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Adam Driver, left, who plays Kylo Ren, and Oscar Isaac, who plays Poe Dameron, arrive at the red-carpet premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” in Hollywood.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Actor Harrison Ford and his wife, actress Calista Flockhart, arrive at the red-carpet premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” in Hollywood.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Mark Hamill, who plays Luke Skywalker, arrives at the red-carpet premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” in Hollywood.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Oscar Isaac, right, sneaks up on Adam Driver at the red-carpet premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” in Hollywood.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Anthony Daniels, left, who plays C-3P0, and Peter Mayhew, who plays Chewbacca, arrive at the red-carpet premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” in Hollywood.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Gwendoline Christie, who plays Captain Phasma, arrives at the red-carpet premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” in Hollywood.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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George Lucas, left, creator of the “Star Wars franchise, and director J.J. Abrams share a hug at the red-carpet premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” in Hollywood.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Actress Kate Capshaw, left, and her husband, director Steven Spielberg, arrive at the red-carpet premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” in Hollywood.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Actress Carrie Fisher, left, poses with her daughter, Billie Lourd, at the red-carpet premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” in Hollywood.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Actor Andy Serkis arrives at the red-carpet premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” in Hollywood.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Domhnall Gleeson, who plays General Hux, arrives at the red-carpet premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” in Hollywood.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Lupita Nyong’o, who plays Maz Kanata, arrives at the red-carpet premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” in Hollywood.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Adam Driver, who plays Kylo Ren, arrives at the red-carpet premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” in Hollywood.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Gwendoline Christie, who plays Captain Phasma, arrives at the red-carpet premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” in Hollywood.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Photographers swarm droid BB-8 at the red-carpet premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” in Hollywood.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Droids C-3PO, left, and R2-D2 arrive at the red-carpet premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” in Hollywood.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Max von Sydow, who plays Lor San Tekka, arrives at the red-carpet premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” in Hollywood.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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A peek inside the tent at the Hollywood premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” reveals a silvery character.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Statues of characters Rey, Kylo Ren and BB-8 made of Lego bricks are displayed inside the tent at the red-carpet premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” in Hollywood.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Daisy Ridley, one of the new stars of the franchise, walks the red carpet for the premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Luke Skywalker himself, Mark Hamill, gestures toward photographers on the red carpet for “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” in Hollywood.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Harrison Ford and his wife Calista Flockhart pose on the red carpet at the Hollywood premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Carrie Fisher quiets a raucous crowd while walking the red carpet.
(Jason Merritt / Getty Images)
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Director J.J. Abrams greets Spike Lee and his wife Tonya Lewis Lee at the red carpet premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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John Boyega, who plays Finn, arrives at the Hollywood premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Actress and cast member Lupita Nyong’o walks the red carpet.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Adam Driver and Oscar Isaacs clown around on the red carpet for the Hollywood premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Gwendoline Christie, who plays Captain Phasma, strikes a pose at the Hollywood premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Anthony Daniels, who plays C-3P0, poses on the red carpet at the Hollywood premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Billie Lourd, solo, on the red carpet.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Clare Grant and her husband Seth Green, writer Lawrence Kasdan, and producer Kathleen Kennedy and husband Frank Marshall take in the Hollywood premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Peterr Mayhew, who plays Chewbacca, takes to the red carpet with his lightsaber cane.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” actor Andy Serkis makes it known that he is in the seventh installment of the “Star Wars” franchise at the film’s Hollywood premiere.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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C-3PO and R2-D2 at the red-carpet premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” on Hollywood Boulevard.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Mellody Hobson and George Lucas arrive at the world premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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A large Captain Phasma awaits inside the tent housing the red-carpet premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Karrueche Tran, left, and Chantel Jeffries make their way down the red carpet at the premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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The stewards of “Star Wars,” George Lucas, left, and J.J. Abrams, meet and hug on the red carpet.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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J.J. Abrams acknowledges George Lucas as he continues down the carpet toward the Hollywood premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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More of the atmosphere inside the tent housing the red carpet premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Kate Capshaw and Steven Spielberg.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Musician Janelle Monae.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Robert Iger, chairman and chief executive of the Walt Disney Co., arrives on the red carpet with his wife, Willow Bay.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Model Kelly Rohrbach catches photographers’ flashes.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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“Modern Family” actress Sarah Hyland and actor Dominic Sherwood hit the red carpet for “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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“Modern Family” actress Sarah Hyland and actor Dominic Sherwood kiss on the red carpet.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Stormtroopers continue to make their presence felt on the red carpet at the premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Stormtroopers drink in the spotlight on the red carpet -- while keeping order, of course.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Actor Max von Sydow.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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An Empire-themed car is displayed at the “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” Hollywood premiere.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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“Heroes Reborn” actor Greg Grunberg
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Reporters wait for the stars to arrive at the “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” Hollywood premiere.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Actress Zendaya
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Rey, Kylo Ren and BB-8 figures at the “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” Hollywood premiere.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Stormtroopers inside the tent housing the red-carpet premiere of ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens.’
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Peter Mayhew (background) attend the Hollywood premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”
(Jesse Grant / Getty Images for Disney)
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A security dog keeps watch.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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A cosplay staple at “Star Wars” events, the Hip-Hop Stormtrooper arrives for the premiere.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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The red carpet for the Hollywood premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Darth Vader and Stormtroopers decorate a dress at the premiere.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
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Eric Garcetti, Andy Serkis and Domhall Gleeson.
(Left - Ethan Miller/Getty Images; center and right - Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
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Joseph Gordon-Levitt, left; Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee; and Sofia Vergara.
(Left - Michael Kovac/Getty Images; center and left - Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
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Zendaya, Constance Zimmer and Jaime King.
(Left - Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP; center and right - Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
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Actress Gina Rodriguez, left, Chris Hardwick and Lydia Hearst, and Geena Davis.
(Left - Jason Merritt/Getty Images; center and right - Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
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“Game of Thrones” actress Gwendoline Christie, who plays Captain Phasma, takes selfies with “Star Wars” fans.
(Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images for Disney)
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Actresses Carrie Fisher and daughter Billie Lourd attend the “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” Hollywood premiere.
(Jesse Grant / Getty Images for Disney)
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Director J.J. Abrams and fellow screenwriters Lawrence Kasdan and Michael Arndt have come up with some potent new characters and outstanding moments. When all goes as partisans hoped it would, you’re glad you’re in the room.
But “The Force Awakens” is also burdened by casting miscalculations and scenes that are flat and ineffective. Sometimes the Force is with this film, sometimes it decidedly is not.
That hit-and-miss quality was likely unavoidable given that Abrams and company needed to please different masters and satisfy diverse audiences in this story (set 30 years after “Return of the Jedi”) of a search for mysteriously missing Luke Skywalker, part of an ongoing battle between good and evil.
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Job One was passing the “Star Wars” torch to a new generation of actors while simultaneously ensuring that appropriate respect be paid to those who’d come before and helped the series earn $4.4 billion in worldwide gross. And both of those had to be done in the context of a story line that fit within an established cosmos bound by a lot of rules and conventions.
What this meant in practice is an overcomplicated plot and characters that carefully echo the first three “Star Wars” movies, sometimes in the look and style of particular individuals, and sometimes, at its most forced, in positing actual blood relationships between young and old.
At its best, however, “The Force Awakens” basks in the presence of an altogether splendid Harrison Ford who, unlike original costars Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill, has a full-fledged, rip-roaring leading role rather than a cameo. Until he checks in midway through the film, appropriately craggy and battle weary, and elevates everyone’s game, the pickings are slim.
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“The Force Awakens” begins with that familiar crawl placing events “a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away,” followed by even more words bringing us up to speed. The evil Empire has been replaced by the even more evil First Order, the Republic continues to fight the good fight, and everyone wonders where Luke Skywalker has been hiding for all these years.
The plot begins with ace Resistance pilot Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) making a trip to the junkyard planet of Jakku to get a device with clues about Skywalker from local elder Lor San Tekka (Max von Sydow, of all people).
On the verge of being captured by major evildoer and Darth Vader wanna-be Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), Poe secretes the device inside a cute little rolling droid named BB-8 and tells it to keep out of trouble. Fat chance.
Helping Poe escape from the evildoers, including Domhnall Gleeson’s General Hux, is Finn (John Boyega of “Attack the Block”), a former Stormtrooper who has had enough of the First Order ordering him around. Both men return to Jakku so Poe can retrieve the device. They get separated, and Finn runs into the brightest of the film’s new cast members, young British actress Daisy Ridley, who plays a Jakku scavenger named Rey.
For if Isaac, perfectly cast in the Coen Brothers’ “Inside Llewyn Davis,” has too sour a persona here, and if Boyega frankly seems out of his depth, Ridley’s spunky daredevil presence is exactly what the part calls for.
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Also inspired are a pair of motion-capture performances. On the dark side, the great Andy Serkis gives us a sense of what thinking outside the box visually looks like with First Order top dog Supreme Leader Snoke. Pitching for the good guys is Oscar-winning Lupita Nyong’o, who shines as 1,000-year-old Maz Kanata, who runs a rowdy establishment strongly reminiscent of the first film’s Mos Eisley Cantina.
At a certain point, Rey and Finn get hold of the legendary aircraft Millennium Falcon and team up with the ship’s original crew, Solo and the redoubtable Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew), and the action begins in earnest.
Ford has been here before, and it shows. His “It’s all true” speech, featured in the trailer, is a highlight, and his scene kinda offering Rey a job is the film’s intergenerational high spot. Too bad all of “The Force Awakens” can’t be that way, but even in galaxies far, far away, things don’t always go as planned.
