Craig Newton
Analytical filmreviewof the Force Awakens
Star wars the Force awakenswasdirectedbyJ.JAbramsunderthe studioof LucasFilmwhichwas
acquiredbyDisney.ItwasfilmedinAbhuDhabi,PinewoodStudios,IrelandandGreenham common
Berkshire England.The estimatedbudgetforthe filmwas$245 millionUSdollars. The filmwasshot
on 35mm filmand65 mmIMAX film.Thisattractstwo differenttypesof audiencesaspeople that
are newto the franchise mayonlywishtowatch itin standard35mm film, whereasfansof the series
may wishtopay extrafor 65mm IMAX filmviewing.Due totheirlove of the seriesor are a filmbuff.
Thiswas a big deal formanyas many believe thatthisisthe bestwayto filmasit istraditional
methods,anddistancesitself furtherfromthe prequelsastheywere shotdigitally.
Withinthe trailera clear80’s style can be seen,Abramswill have usedthisinordertoappeal tothe
olderfansof the seriesandagainfurtherdistance thisnew trilogyfromthe prequel films.
The filmwasmade in orderto create a profit,yetitcouldbe saidthat on a verybasic level itwas
made to educate as Childrencangaina verybasicunderstandingof moralswiththe keytheme of
goodand evil.
An example of thiswouldbe Reyinneutral coloured clothingwith abrightlycoloureddroidnextto
herwe nowknowandlove as BB8 Thissuggestshow she isleaningtowardsthe side of goodeven
withthislittle informationdue toherlackof an offensiveweapon,asitisa staff whichcouldbe
consideredtobe a defensive weaponorwalkingaid.The droidwithbrightcolourssuchasorange
whichhave positive connotationsof thingssuchasthe sunsuggestsitis goodand therefore soisRey
as he is withher. Thiscombinedwiththe lonelychordsanddialogue of “I’mnoone”suggeststhat
she isalone inthisvast openworldseeninthe backgroundof the shot andshe can therefore cause
no real harm to anybody.
The lowreverbof the base inthisshot grabsthe audience’sattentionandmakesitclearthatwhat
theyare watchingismade byLucasFilm. Thisalsowouldsuggesttoan audience if theyhadnot
alreadyfiguredoutthatthisa Star Wars film.

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Mediumshot,contrastingredagainsta grey andwhite colourpalate createsconnotationstothatof
a Nazi rally.Immediatelysignifyingwhothe villainsare.The uniformlookof stormtroopersalsoadd
to thisand excite fansof the franchise astheyare instantlyrecognisable andareal indicatorthat
theyare watchinga Star Wars filmthathas remainedtrue tothe originals.The numberof Storm
troopersalsosuggestthatit isa powerful army.Theyare alsoorganisedandhave a hierarchysystem
thisisclear throughthe singularmanin the centre of the shot above the stormtroopers.Thiswould
suggestto oldfansof the franchise howthe Firstorderisstill asstrong if not more powerful thanthe
Empire.

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Thiswouldhave created excitementbetweenmanyfansof the originalsasthisisthe firsttime thata
storm trooperhasbeenseenwithouthishelmeton,itwouldhave alsodrawnina wideraudience to
the filmas theyhave cast thisclearleadrole,evidentbecause of the removal of hishelmetandthe
bloodstainonthe frontsignifyinghe isimportant,asa blackactor. The dialogue of “Iwas raisedto
do one thing”createsexcitementforolderfansastheyknow that storm troopers are raisedto be an
unquestioningarmy. Therefore thisdialoguewillexcitemanyasitposesthe chance thata storm
trooperwill be changing sidesfromthe darkside tothe lightinthe upcomingfilm.
Thissticksto the codesand conventionsof Sci-fi showingaTi-Fighterspirallingoutof control in
space.Thisadds to nostalgiaasit isrecognisable fromthe originalfilmsexcitingolderfansbutalso

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allowinganewaudience torecognise the filmasa SCi-FIfilm.Thisisbecause of the codesand
conventionsof the genre are evidentinthisshotdepictinga twoshipsflyingthroughspace andone
of themcrashing.
Thisshot depictsthe new characterof KyloRenwiththe coloursredand blackbeingthe maincolour
palate of the scene allegiance tothe darkside withthe redlightingtheme inthe shotwhichis
prevalentinthe FirstorderandEmpire.Thisimmediatelyallowsanyaudience of it toestablishhim
as the villainof the filmdue tothe colourconnotationsof redbeingdeathandevil.The additionof
stringsand hornsinthisshot alsoallowsanaudience torecognise the significanceof thischaracter
and alsolinkbackto the original filmsasDarth Vaderhadtrumpetsandhorns inhistheme music.
Thisis an example of the basicmoral learningthatayoungeraudience cangetfrom the film

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Thisshot of the millenniumfalconagainattractan olderaudience as theyrememberitfromthe
original filmsanditalsofollowsthe codesandconventionsof the SCi-Figenre asitdepictsa
spaceshipflying.
Thisshowsthe character of Han Solothiscreatesnostalgiaashe was a character from the original
filmsof the franchise andstaystrue to the story. The character havingagedalsoshowsthe time in
whichthe filmissetafterthe original films.
Thisis nostalgicformanyoriginal fansasthisis a returnof anothercharacter fromthe original films
R2D2. The hoodedfigure isnotimmediatelyidentifiable,howeverisheavilyhintedtowardsbeing
that of Luke Skywalkerdue tohisrobotichand.Which againcreatesexcitementfororiginal fansas
thisisthe returnof anothercharacter from the original films.The risinginvolume withtrumpetsand

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the original theme forthe rebelswill allowmanyoriginal fansinthe audience torecognise thisas
beinga goodcharacter.
Thiscollectionof shotsdisplayawide arrayof explosionsattractingyoungeraudience withthe
promise of excitementanddanger.Italsodepictsbothsidesbeingdamagedbyexplosionsthis
wouldsuggesttoan audience the intensewarbetweenthe twofactions.
Thisshot clearlyidentifiesthe filmasStarwars and the title of the film, andexcitesmanyaudience
membersinstantlyrecognisethe fontbefore the wordsitself.

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Mise en scene
Shot1: Close upof Rey, directtoaudience.Hasfeaturesrelatingtothe stormtroopers,Tuskan
raidersandJawa. Thisuseslonelyseparatedpianochordsthatreflectthe lonelyenvironmentshe is
in.
Shot2: Longshotwide shot.Climbing/scavenginginsideaship.Inthe engine room, showingshe
knowswhatshe’slookingfor. She’sonherown.
Shot3: High angle shot,manoeuvringdownachamberon herown,brave willingtotake chances.
Shot4: Longshotto showhowinsignificantandtinyshe is.Relatestothe storyof how the firstorder
ishuge comparedto the rebels.
Shot5: Reyis shownwithouthermaskandhas the staff in the openingshot,allowinganaudience to
recognise her.Clothesare similartoLuke’sandthe shot issimilartoLuke’sbeginnings.She’sfemale.
Audience recognise arebel droiddue tothe patterns.
Shot6: Genre conventionspace shipflyingthroughthe air. Wide angle,onherown.

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Shot7: Mediumshot,Hardworkingyoungfemale,human,she canhandle technology,brave and
Look of longingforthe future.
Shot8: Mediumshot,contrastingred againsta grey and white colourpalletecreatesconnotations
to that of a Nazi rally.Immediatelysignifyingwhothe villainsare.The uniformlookof stormtroopers
alsoadd to thisand excite fansof the franchise astheyare instantlyrecognisable andareal indicator
that theyare watchinga Star Wars filmthathas remainedtrue tothe originals.The numberof
Stormtroopersalsosuggestthatitis a powerful army. Theyare organisedandhave a hierarchy
system.
Shot9: Close up,redfingerbloodstainssignifythisstormtrooperasspecial,astheyare always
immaculate inall of the scenesseeninthe franchise sofar.Oldfanswill alsorecognise thatthisis
the firsttime a stormtrooperhasbeenseenwithhishelmetoff makinghimspecialandkeytothe
narrative. He is alsoblackand a leadrole whichisuncommoninmanyblockbusterfilms,therefore
attractinga widertargetaudience.
Shot10: Trackingshotleft,thisstickstothe codesandconventionsof Sci-fi showingaTi-Fighter
spirallingoutof control inspace.Thisadds tonostalgia as itis recognisable fromthe original films.
Shot11:Longshot of Finnoutof the stormtrooperuniformshowshow he isbrave torebel against
the firstorderand is holdingajacketthat isnot part of the firstorderuniformssuggestingthatitis
importantas he isholdingontoitdespite beinginthe middle of adessertwhichhe isvisibly
sweatinginthe heatof. SimilarlocationtoReylinksthemtogether.
Shot12: Close up,showshisdeterminationandexhaustioninthe heatof the dessert,whilstalso
allowingthe audience togeta properlookat what isa clear protagonistinthe film.
Shot13: Dollyzoomonto KyloRensuggesthisimportance andallegiance tothe darkside withthe
redlightingtheme inthe shotwhichisprevalentinthe FirstorderandEmpire.Thisimmediately
allowsanyaudience of ittoestablishhimasthe villainof the film.
Shot14: Close up, the helmetaddsasense of mysteryashe losesall humanfeaturestherefore
creatingfearof the unknown.Tofansof the franchise thisisnostalgicasthishelmethas clearlinksin
designtothat of Darth Vaderinthe original filmsof the franchise.
Shot15: Panningupwardsclose up,thiscreatesexcitementforfansof the franchise asthey
recognise thistobe the helmet of Darth Vader.The darkcolours of the setcontrastedby the single
lightbeingshone onthe helmetalsohelptosignifyitsimportance.
Shot16: Close up,thisbeingimmediatelyafterthe shotof Darth Vader’shelmetsuggeststoan
audience thatthe twocharacters are relatedinsome form, andthat ithas real significance.The
audience hasnotseenKylo Ren’shanduntil thispointwhichsofaris the onlyidentifyingfeature
that he is a human.
Shot17: Close up, thisclose upof Poe Dammeretshowsthe clearpainhe is in,KyloRenbeingthe
cause of thispain portrayshimas the villainandstaystrue tothe codesandconventionsof Sci-fi as
there isa clear goodand evil.
Shot18: Longshot,the forestbeingblownapartagain indicatesthe styleof filmtoanaudience.
Shot19: Followshot, thiscreatesasense of nostalgiaasfansof the seriescanrecognise the shipto
be that of the millenniumfalcon,the settingof thisshotstaystrue to the C&c’sas it displaysa
dystopianfuture.

Craig Newton
Shot20: Wide shot,showsthe actioninthe filmandoldfans will recognisethese chase sceneswith
the falconto be like manyinthe original films,asHanSolowouldalwaysgetintotrouble,thisagain
createsnostalgiaasthiscreatesthe possibilitythatHanSoloand Chewbaccamay still be inthe story.
Shot21: Panleft,thisindicatesthe styleof filmandisSci-fi due tothe spaceshipsanddogfights
Shot22: Mediumshot:PortraysReyand Finnwithclose proxemics,suggestingthattheyare close to
one anotherand are friends.Finnisalsonow wearingthe jacket thathe was holdinginshot11. The
setis alsorecognisable tomanyfansasthe inside of the millenniumfalcon creatingnostalgiaasthis
was keytothe original films.
Shot23: Close up,showsthe characterof Han Solothiscreatesnostalgiaashe was a character from
the original filmsof the franchise andstaystrue tothe story. The character havingagedalsoshows
the time inwhichthe filmissetafterthe original films.
Shot24: Establishingshot,thischange inspeedtothatof “Lightspeed”craftsnostalgiatothe original
films.Also,stayingtrue tothe codesand conventionsof the sci-fi genre.
Shot25: Crabbingrightlongshot,thisshowsthe falconatlightspeed whichagainestablishesthe
genre as Sci-fi
Shot26: Longshot,KyloRenisstoodwitha redlightsabre againconveyinghisvillainyandallegiance
to the dark side,the raincreatesa sense of patheticfallacyalsoindicatingthis.Whilstthe dead
bodiesaroundhimalso addto this.
Shot27: Mediumshot,focusingonKyloandhislightsabre portrayhow he hasan original lightsabre
that has neverbeenseeninthe seriesbefore.Himbeingsurroundedbyuniformedmeninblackalso
highlighthismenace andcreate connotation tothatof the Nazisagainas theyare like the Gestapo
or SS whilstStormtroopersare like regularNazi soldiers.
Shot28: Crabbingrightwide angle, thisshowsacollectionof X-Wingswhichtofansof the originals
can recognise as Rebel fighters.The clearlushforestandlake inthe setalsosuggesthow the rebels
are fightingforthe goodside.
Shot29: Crabbingrightmediumshot,Stormtroopersanddestructioninthe backgroundsuggesthow
the firstorderare evil whereasthe rebelsare tryingto restore peace towhat wasan idylliclocation
featuredinthe lastshot.
Shot30: Establishingshot,thisshotconfirmsthisandshowshow the Firstorderhas caused
devastationtothe area.
Shot31: Trackingshot, suggestshowFinnhasnow joinedthe rebelsandPoe hasescapedKyloas
well asthe rebelsbeingthe goodside due tothe greenhillsandtreesevenatthe base fora war.
Shot32: Highangle tracking, Again,show the destructionof the Firstorder.
Shot34: Longshot,thisshowshowFinn,ReyandBB8 are all friendsandhow destructive the First
Orderare withthe Ti-Fighterinthe sky.
Shot35: Mediumshot,showsReybeingdefensivewithherweaponprotectingFinnandBB8this
againshowshowRey isstrongand brave.

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Shot36: Longshot,showsFinn,BB8,Han Soloand a droidthe brightlycolouredflags suggesthow
thisarea issafe for themto enteraswell asthe grassindicatingthisthe colour palate alsodoesasit
doesnotfeature the coloursassociatedwiththe FirstOrder.
Shot37: Close up, thisisnostalgicformanyoriginal fansasthisis a returnof anothercharacter from
the original films.The hoodedfigure isnotimmediatelyidentifiable,howeverisheavilyhinted
towardsbeingthatof Luke Skywalkerdue tohisrobotichand.Whichagaincreatesexcitementfor
original fansasthisis the returnof anothercharacterfrom the original films.
Shot38: Longshot,thisagainconnoteshow the Firstorderare the villainsasthe backgroundisfilled
withblacksmoke andthere isfire and lots of stormtroopers.
Shot39: Thiscrabbingleftshotalsohighlightsanew characterwhichhas the appearance of a
stormtrooperhoweverthe armourisdifferentcolouredtothe restsuggestinghow thischaracteris
significantinsome way.Aswell asherbeingacaptaindue to the clothon hershoulder.
Shot40: Thislowangle shotsuggeststhe powerof Kylomakingthe audience feel small compared,
threatenedbythe lightsabre of his
Shot41: Close up,thisisthe firstshotin whichReycan be seento be visiblyupsetanddistraught,
the dark coloursof the setand lightingalsoconnote thisemotionthatshe portrays.
Shot42: Crabbingright,thissuggestshow the charactersHan Solo,ChewbaccaandFinnhave wound
up introuble.Whichishumorousformanyfans as thiswasoftenthe case forHan Soloand
Chewbacca.Thiscan be inferredfromthemholdingtheirhandsbehindtheirheadsandthe fire
belowthe treesinthe background.Suggestingdestruction.
Shot43: Close up,thisdepictsBB87 inan X-wingbefore the onslaughtof anattack froma squadron
of Ti-fighters,manyfanswill recognisethistobe like R2D2 inthe backof Luke’sshipinthe original
films.
Shot44: Highangle,thisdepictsawar betweenthe Rebel squadronsandFirstorder inanother
desolate landscape,linkstoHoth
Shot45: Lowangle,depictsthe exitof seeminglyendlessstormtroopersfromashipwhich creates
the ideathat the Firstorder isseeminglyunstoppable.Itfollowsthe same colours
Shot46: Close up,ShowsReyforthe firsttime visiblyangryfiringalaserpistol inwhatisa wood.
Shot47: Mediumshot,showsastormtrooperbeingdefeated byarebel X-wingthis provesthatthe
Firstorderis defeatable if nothardto achieve.
Shot48: Close up,depictsKylousingthe force staringatthe audience tomake themfeel weakand
threatenedbyhim.There isthe reoccurringtheme of coloursusedbythe darkside inthisscene too,
as well ashislightsabre beingakeyiteminthe frame.
Shot49: Showsexplosions anddamage beingcausedbybothsides,makingmore destructionlike
that seeninthe firstshot in the wreckage Reyisclimbingthrough.
Shot50: Longshot, Showsthe destructionof animperial cruiser,thisagainhighlightsthe war
betweenthe twofactionsandhow bothtake heavylossesinthiswar.

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Shot51: Close up,showsPrincessLeiawhichcreatesexcitementfor original fansasthisisthe return
of yetanothercharacterfrom the original films,itshowedherbeingcomfortedbyHanSolowhich
presentsthe qualityof theirrelationshipbeingveryclose toone another.
Shot52: Mediumshot,shows Finnholdingalightsabre inthe recognisable fightingstance creating
speculationastowhetherhe isa Jedi or not.The lightingiscraftedinaway that youare forced to
focuson the lightsabre andFinnsface whichisvisiblyaggressive and readyforbattle.
Shot53: Mediumshot,showswhatcan be assumedtobe KyloRenaboutto attack Finndue to his
lightsabre and,Finnis visiblyscaredinthisharshwinterenvironment.Thisisthe firstshotinthe
trailerinwhichKyloRenhas appearedwithouthishelmeton.Although,hisface isnotvisible sohis
age cannotbe confirmed,yetthe colourof hishairmaysuggestthat he is younger.Itbeingblack
may alsosuggestthe evil thathe containsdue to the connotationsof the colouroftenbeingdeath
and emptiness.
Lonelypianochordsthat ECHO UNACOMPANIED,ONLYINTERUPTED BY DIALOGUE. Buildingin
intensityasthe timpani drumsechothrough.
Dark side use hornswhichrelatestothe darth vadertheme tune
The filmisdirectedbyJ.J Abrams,thisisevidentfromhissignature effectfeaturedinthe filmof lens
flares.