We're still eight months away from the official release of J.J. Abrams' insanely anticipated Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which feels like an eternity. Today, however, that galaxy felt a whole lot closer, as Abrams arrived in Anaheim for Star Wars Celebration, during which he shared the following full trailer. Prepare to have your mind blown:
This isn't the first official look at Star Wars: The Force Awakens footage... but it clearly is the best look. We finally get to see new characters in action, hear Luke Skywalker in voice over, and see Han and Chewie, in person!!
The trailer dropped at the tail end of a lengthy presentation at Star Wars Celebration, where JJ Abrams was joined on stage by Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and several cast members from the new movie. While we don’t get to see Hamill in this new footage, the narration is ALL about the Skywalker heritage. The Force is strong in every member of that clan, from Luke’s father (Darth Vader) to his sister (Leia) to… whomever he is speaking to in the trailer.
There are a number of really important moments to dissect in this new trailer, which is far more action packed than the initial The Force Awakens tease. We get a shot of Luke in isolation, only we now know he is with R2D2, his trusty droid. We see a lightsaber being passed to Leia, and I’m guessing that it’s the one that Rey and Finn will find, triggering the quest to find (and rescue?) Luke. We see more of Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) in action piloting an X-Wing. And we finally see our villain, Kylo Ren, using the Force.
This is an embarrassment of wealthy images to comb over and discuss. Abrams continues to keep a few important cards close to his vest when it comes to the events of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. But this trailer gives us a better idea of the action on display. There are rapid-fire shots of characters running from explosions. There are TIE fighters attacking, and the Millennium Falcon continuing to… I believe the word is "escape" from some threat. And there are Han Solo’s final words. Where is "home" for he and Chewbacca? Where were they before that? And for God’s sake, does he shoot first?
Star Wars: The Force Awakens will be in theaters on December 18. What do you think of the new trailer?
