So I just watched the Star Wars – The Force Awakens teaser trailer. I’m going to avoid the urge to just write “OH MY GOD…OH MY GOD…OH MY GOD…” over and over again. My wife was curious if it was possible to convey the fact that I was just dancing around my living room. The spoiler free review of this thing is that it was magic…pure magic. As a Star Wars fan, and in my opinion, it was exactly what we needed more then a year out…88 seconds of awesome. If you haven’t watched the trailer yet…GO WATCH IT!
If you still haven’t watched it, ye be warned…thar be spoilers ahead! I really didn’t want to do a shot by shot breakdown of this teaser trailer, but it’s really not avoidable considering the shortness of the thing. The trailer features the now common practice of throwing a few seconds of black screen between each new shot. From a fans standpoint I hate it. It’s a way to make the trailer longer without showing anything. From an editorial standpoint it’s a brilliant way to get you on the edge of your seat waiting for the next shot, and you know what? It worked.
The trailer opens with a shot of what must be Tatooine. A voice over kicks in: “There has been an awakening. Have you felt it?” Actor John Boyega in Stormtrooper armor pops up, and we hear droid sounds similar to the “droidspeak” from the probe droids sent down to Hoth in the Empire Strikes Back.
Still on Tatooine, a fast moving shot of a small droid moving through a ship yard of some kind…this guy is GOING to be a toy, I have no doubt.
A couple quick shots of the new Stormtroopers follow, they appear to be on some sort of troop transport or drop ship. We see the helmet design that was teased months ago, along with a quick look at one of the new blasters.
Next up is Daisy Ridley back on Tatooine piloting some sort of speeder. Still speculation, but she is rumored to be playing Han and Leia’s daughter.
The X-Wings follow, and they look amazing. Yes we got a nice look at one of them in a video that J.J. posted months ago, but it’s no less amazing to see them in action.
A black robed, hooded character is seen walking through a dark, snowy, forest right out of Game of Thrones. He ignites a red lightsaber. With Count Dooku we got a scimitar style Lightsaber. With this character we get our first look at a broad sword style Lightsaber. We know that Adam Driver is set to play a villain in this film, so this may be him. The only other vocals in the trailer can be heard over this shot: “The Dark Side…and the light,”
So we clearly got a peek at the Dark side, what do we get from the light?
The Millennium Falcon! No surprise here either, we knew it was going to be in the film…but it’s flying, and there are Tie Fighters!!!
And that’s it. No Carrie Fisher, no Harrison Ford, no Mark Hamill, no C3-PO or R2, and no Chewbacca. Upsetting? Yes! But that’s from a fan perspective…I WANT TO SEE THEM! That said, mission accomplished teaser trailer, you teased. I’m amped up for this movie and I NEED more. Looks like we have to wait for the full trailer, which we shouldn’t expect for another six months or more. Well played J.J….well played.
Until next time kids, may the Force be with you!