Let's break down this new Star Wars: The Force Awakens teaser trailer. Many Bothans died to get you this analysis...
If you haven't already, check out the Star Wars: The Force Awakens teaser trailer. Don't worry, we can wait...
Okay, now that you've watched it 50 times, let's break down the trailer, bit by bit, and see what J. J. Abrams has in store for us next December.
"There has been an awakening..."
If that's Max Von Sydow doing the voiceover, it does recall, ever so slightly and perhaps unintentionally, the opening moments of Mike Hodges' brilliant Flash Gordon when Ming utters, "Klytus, I'm booooored." If it's not Max Von Sydow, well, we don't know who it is.
Also, obviously, this is our first shot of Tatooine. Nostalgia is VERY in play in this first trailer. These look like the exact same dunes from A New Hope where the Stormtroopers find the droid parts. "Look, sir, droids."
That's John Boyega as a Stormtrooper. It's significant that he's the very first character we meet in this universe. The fact that he's on the run from something tells us he won't be on the side of the bad guys for too long. Is that the sound of an Imperial Probe Droid we can hear in the background?
New kind of astromech droid! Where was it when the U.S. National Team was playing in the FIFA World Cup? Also, more Tatooine. And are those nods to pod racing in the background?
The new design for the Stromtroopers. Way more sleek. They look just like the grainy pictures we saw earlier this year. After watching this first trailer, we must say that the endless rumor mill hasn't failed us too much this time around.
You can't really tell where they're landing...Maybe a forest world? There is a bit of forest later on, too, so this might all take place on the same planet. Also, are they riding in a Lambda-class T-4a shuttle aka the ship the Imperial baddies usually use to get around?
Welcome to stardom, Daisy Ridley. The cosume design here is very reminiscent of Carrie Fisher's outfits in Return of the Jedi-- the bounty hunter and Endor mission costumes. Or maybe this is more farm girl than that. It does look like the same material used for Luke's outfit in A New Hope. Also, is that a LIGHTSABER hilt on the side of her speeder?
We love the return to the clunkier vehicles of the Original Trilogy. In general, it looks like the "lived in" feel of the Original Trilogy is back for this one. Things were generally shinier in the prequels, and that made sense in context, but this, just by virtue of that element of grit, feels authentic.
The days of the orange speeder bike/land speeder are back...a Skywalker tradition. Is that a hint? And is she riding into Mos Eisley? That would be neat.
Oscar Isaac as a Rebel pilot. Or is this Rogue Squadron? Not only should we note that he already looks like a badass fighter pilot, but the insignia on his helmet and vest signify a Rebel vs. Empire/New Republic vs. Imperial Remnant storyline. Also, Isaac looks a little banged up. The new pilot helmet is awesome, and makes way more sense in terms of communication, etc.
Oh, and peep the targeting computer on his right. Cool. And are they making these babies more spacious nowadays? Luxury X-Wings?
Surfing X-Wings! Rad. It's a mountainous planet, this one. With at least one body of water and clear blue skies. I wonder if this is Naboo or possibly some brand new place...Time will tell. Great shot of the visuals, though.
We imagine that this is probably the new Sith villain for the film, and we guessed this both because of the coincidental timing of the words "dark side" and...
Holy moley, is that a lightsaber broadsword? Not sure what kind of fighting style will go with this new weapon, but it's super awesome nonetheless. This type of lightsaber has been used before in the EU. It's known as a Crossguard lightsaber.
By the way, is that Adam Driver under the hood? The villain's build (tall and thin) sure looks like Driver. Finally, winter and a woodland. This looks like Endor in winter, but don't get any ideas. We're just excited to see a lightsaber duel in the snow (hopefully!).
This shot following the Falcon as it engages in a low-altitude dogfight over Tatooine is probably enough to make a believer out of even the most hardened prequel-hater. Probably. Peep the rectangular radar dish (much like the rumor mill said). It all comes full circle here: A New Hope gave us the Millennium Falcon flying out of Tatooine and The Force Awakens gives us the Falcon frantically flying into the planet while being chased by some TIE Fighters. Yeesh.
They left out a line there, it says "...probably can't get here fast enough." We also have a release calendar for all the upcoming Star Wars movies right here.
See anything we missed? Tell us in the comments!
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