It’s here, it’s finally here. We’ve been a wreck at Cineworld Towers this morning, waiting, waiting and waiting for the first trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Then, at 3.14pm, Sean looked up and yelled across the office, “It’s here!” and we all huddled around his monitor to watch the first new Star Wars footage in nine years (or 31, if you don’t count the – spit! – prequels).
The new trailer - what the team think:
Steve: Well, it certainly feels as though it has some connective tissue to old-time Star Wars, while still feeling thrillingly modern. It’s great to see the Falcon again, and the swooping, dizzying camerawork certainly sets it apart from the original trilogy. I’m bummed that we didn’t get to see Luke, Leia or Han, but then again we need something to keep us hungry for the next trailer. One big question though – who’s that speaking? (Sounded to us like Smaug). But yeah, generally, a big thumbs up to J.J. It looks like you’re doing us proud, mister.
Sean: So the trailer’s finally arrived with a massive splash of publicity and, perhaps inevitably given the film is a year off, it can’t help but raise tantalizing questions. Who’s the bloke in the cloak with the spangly new lightsaber? Is Harrison Ford’s Han Solo piloting the Millenium Falcon? And where are Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher as Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia? Answers will no doubt be forthcoming but at least the promo excitingly teases director J.J. Abrams’ emphasis on practical, in-camera effects (the spaceships look suitably weathered). And John Williams’ thunderous soundtrack contribution is thrillingly exciting. Roll on, December 2015!
Rachael: There’s not really anything about this that I don’t like. Millennium Falcon? Good. Capable-looking female pilot? Good. The little dude who looks a bit like what R2-D2’s offspring would look like, if droids could have children? I already love it. They’re mixing it up but keeping it recognisable enough that people can still feel connected to it. Those are the droids I’m looking for. It has the tangibility that I love about films like the original Star Wars trilogy, Blade Runner and Alien – a lived-in realism and grubbiness. My only quibble is the weirdly-shaped lightsaber, but perhaps all will become clear. The force is strong in this one.
Dean: From the entrance of John Boyega to the lightsaber igniting faintly at the end, this is 88 seconds of trailergasm that made my inner eight-year-old Star Wars fanboy weep tears of long overdue joy. Highlights? Three X-Wing Fighters skimming over the water's surface, the rough-looking Sith lightsaber and the Millennium Falcon swooped majestically over the dunes – which I'm presuming could well be Tatooine. And, thankfully, there was a noticeable lack of lens flare, too…
Here it is, kids! (Only another year to go!)
