8 reasons why J.J. Abrams suits Star Wars VII.
Sort by:
Showing 8 items
Decade:
Rating:
List Type:
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
Heās Proven Himself With Star Trek.
2009ās Star Trek reboot was a superbly entertaining ride that re-introduced the characters of Kirk, Spock and the rest for a new generation and told a fun story along the way. It also managed the supremely sneaky trick of rebooting the timeline to avoid the usual prequels-canāt-surprise-us problems without disrespecting the original series (thank you, alternate universe!), a move of pure chutzpah weāre still marvelling at. While we imagine Abrams wonāt have quite as much latitude with Star Wars, Trek proves that he knows how to deliver the effects, the story and the characters of a major space opera in one thrilling package. What weāve seen of Into Darkness makes us even more convinced heās the man to go to War(s). And just think: if one director manages to reboot both Trek and Wars, it could unite these warring fandoms and bring peace to the galaxy.
2009ās Star Trek reboot was a superbly entertaining ride that re-introduced the characters of Kirk, Spock and the rest for a new generation and told a fun story along the way. It also managed the supremely sneaky trick of rebooting the timeline to avoid the usual prequels-canāt-surprise-us problems without disrespecting the original series (thank you, alternate universe!), a move of pure chutzpah weāre still marvelling at. While we imagine Abrams wonāt have quite as much latitude with Star Wars, Trek proves that he knows how to deliver the effects, the story and the characters of a major space opera in one thrilling package. What weāve seen of Into Darkness makes us even more convinced heās the man to go to War(s). And just think: if one director manages to reboot both Trek and Wars, it could unite these warring fandoms and bring peace to the galaxy.
SJMJ91's rating:
There Will Be Surprisesā¦
Abramsā determination to keep a tight lid on spoilers will fit right in with Lucasfilmās secretive nature. As heās said on the subject before, āThe real damage isn't so much that the secret gets out; it's that the experience is destroyed. The illusion is diminished ā which may not matter to some. But then what's the point of actually seeing that movie or episode? How does knowing the twist before you walk into the theater ā or what Lostās island is really about before you watch the finale ā make for a richer viewing experience?ā So while we know someone will be mining for every last nugget of news, thereās reason to hope that Abrams will be able to keep some things back to surprise us once the iconic words are finished crawling across the screen. Maybe a paternity test will prove that Darth Vader wasnāt Lukeās father after all!
Abramsā determination to keep a tight lid on spoilers will fit right in with Lucasfilmās secretive nature. As heās said on the subject before, āThe real damage isn't so much that the secret gets out; it's that the experience is destroyed. The illusion is diminished ā which may not matter to some. But then what's the point of actually seeing that movie or episode? How does knowing the twist before you walk into the theater ā or what Lostās island is really about before you watch the finale ā make for a richer viewing experience?ā So while we know someone will be mining for every last nugget of news, thereās reason to hope that Abrams will be able to keep some things back to surprise us once the iconic words are finished crawling across the screen. Maybe a paternity test will prove that Darth Vader wasnāt Lukeās father after all!
SJMJ91's rating:
Hopefully Cool Creatures.
Sure, he produced Cloverfield rather than writing and directing, but Abramsā paw prints were all over that monster mash ā and consider the giant beasts he had Cloverfield designer Neville Page conjure up for just a quick segment in Star Trek. Star Wars has a long history of spawning great creature creations, so imagine what Page might do if Abrams hires him to work on Star Wars. Plus, while Star Wars itself is really enough of a lure for any talented types, Abramsā name stencilled on the directorās chair should ensure a great crew. Incidentally, he also has a good reputation as an actorās director, so should bring in a good cast. Not least, he could bring auld mucker Simon Pegg, another long-time Star Wars fan whose approval would augur well for the reinvigorated franchise.
Sure, he produced Cloverfield rather than writing and directing, but Abramsā paw prints were all over that monster mash ā and consider the giant beasts he had Cloverfield designer Neville Page conjure up for just a quick segment in Star Trek. Star Wars has a long history of spawning great creature creations, so imagine what Page might do if Abrams hires him to work on Star Wars. Plus, while Star Wars itself is really enough of a lure for any talented types, Abramsā name stencilled on the directorās chair should ensure a great crew. Incidentally, he also has a good reputation as an actorās director, so should bring in a good cast. Not least, he could bring auld mucker Simon Pegg, another long-time Star Wars fan whose approval would augur well for the reinvigorated franchise.
SJMJ91's rating:
He Respects Mythologies.
Directors like Michael Bay can talk all they want about āchannellingā the Transformers story or other properties. But Abrams understands storied mythologies on an instinctive level; heās created several of them with, for instance, Alias and the work he did on the Lost pilot. With Star Trek, despite not even being a particular fan of the original series, heās managed to produce something that kept fans and newcomers happy. In contrast, heās such a Star Wars fan that he said his love was one of the reasons he didnāt want to take on George Lucasā universe, for fear of disappointing, er, himself. But that deep love and knowledge should be a plus when it comes to helping Star Wars take its next cinematic step. And heās never been afraid to tackle big subjects...
Directors like Michael Bay can talk all they want about āchannellingā the Transformers story or other properties. But Abrams understands storied mythologies on an instinctive level; heās created several of them with, for instance, Alias and the work he did on the Lost pilot. With Star Trek, despite not even being a particular fan of the original series, heās managed to produce something that kept fans and newcomers happy. In contrast, heās such a Star Wars fan that he said his love was one of the reasons he didnāt want to take on George Lucasā universe, for fear of disappointing, er, himself. But that deep love and knowledge should be a plus when it comes to helping Star Wars take its next cinematic step. And heās never been afraid to tackle big subjects...
SJMJ91's rating:
He Can Handle Franchises ā And Bring Something To Them.
Some directors get the brass ring and either make a hash of the first one or burn out by the time the sequel arrives. Abrams has played in franchise territory for years and has yet to put a foot wrong ā and heās managed to mix real emotional heft in with, for instance, Keri Russellās fate in Mission: Impossible III or the opening sequence of Star Trek. Even if he does step aside after making one Star Wars film, chances are heād oversee the following movies in Disneyās new planned trilogy, and we know that can help keep the quality levels up. Case in point? Mission: Impossible ā Ghost Protocol is even better than Abramsā own M:I III. Hmmā¦ Maybe Brad Bird can be called up for a second Wars film after 1952 is done?
Some directors get the brass ring and either make a hash of the first one or burn out by the time the sequel arrives. Abrams has played in franchise territory for years and has yet to put a foot wrong ā and heās managed to mix real emotional heft in with, for instance, Keri Russellās fate in Mission: Impossible III or the opening sequence of Star Trek. Even if he does step aside after making one Star Wars film, chances are heād oversee the following movies in Disneyās new planned trilogy, and we know that can help keep the quality levels up. Case in point? Mission: Impossible ā Ghost Protocol is even better than Abramsā own M:I III. Hmmā¦ Maybe Brad Bird can be called up for a second Wars film after 1952 is done?
SJMJ91's rating:
He Can Make A Film His Own Without Making It All About Him.
With Super 8 Abrams showed the chops to direct an original story, but itās a film seen through the filter of one of his own favourite directors, Steven Spielberg. While we donāt exactly want Abrams copying George Lucas (Lucas himself tried that with the prequels and couldnāt re-discover his eye), his baked-in knowledge and appreciation for the original trilogy could see him managing something like Irvin Kershner did when he so memorably turned The Empire Strikes Back into the best of the movies. Splicing together what worked about the originals with his own skills could make Episode VII something truly special.
With Super 8 Abrams showed the chops to direct an original story, but itās a film seen through the filter of one of his own favourite directors, Steven Spielberg. While we donāt exactly want Abrams copying George Lucas (Lucas himself tried that with the prequels and couldnāt re-discover his eye), his baked-in knowledge and appreciation for the original trilogy could see him managing something like Irvin Kershner did when he so memorably turned The Empire Strikes Back into the best of the movies. Splicing together what worked about the originals with his own skills could make Episode VII something truly special.
SJMJ91's rating:
He's Available.
No, this is not damning with the faint praise of scheduling. We simply mean heās not busy on some other huge project that heād need to be dragged away from. Abrams is a busy man, particularly as a producer, but his only directing task is the nearly done Star Trek Into Darkness. Other huge and likely names are largely committed to other things. Brad Birdās making 1952. Joss Whedonās directing the Avengers sequel. The only possible loser here is the Star Trek franchise, which, if Into Darkness is another hit, will need to find someone else to direct a third outing.
No, this is not damning with the faint praise of scheduling. We simply mean heās not busy on some other huge project that heād need to be dragged away from. Abrams is a busy man, particularly as a producer, but his only directing task is the nearly done Star Trek Into Darkness. Other huge and likely names are largely committed to other things. Brad Birdās making 1952. Joss Whedonās directing the Avengers sequel. The only possible loser here is the Star Trek franchise, which, if Into Darkness is another hit, will need to find someone else to direct a third outing.
SJMJ91's rating:
NOTE: This is not actually my list. This is a list from popular British film magazine EMPIRE. After having a read through this, I thought I'd share it with you guys seeing as there are many of you who aren't British and perhaps haven't read much from EMPIRE.