Skip to main content
Games Radar
  • Newsarama
  • Total Film
  • Edge
  • Retro Gamer
  • SFX
Total Film The smarter take on movies
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
flag of UK
UK
flag of US
US
flag of Canada
Canada
flag of Australia
Australia
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • More
    • PS5
    • Xbox Series X
    • Nintendo Switch
    • Nintendo Switch 2
    • PC
    • Platforms
    • Tabletop Gaming
    • Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • SFX
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Newsletters
    • About us
    • Features
Gaming Magazines
Gaming Magazines
Why subscribe?
  • Subscribe from just £3
  • Takes you closer to the games, movies and TV you love
  • Try a single issue or save on a subscription
  • Issues delivered straight to your door or device
From$12
Subscribe now
Trending
  • Best Netflix Movies
  • Best movies on Disney Plus
  • Movie Release Dates
  • Best Netflix Shows
Recommended reading
Rey in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
Star Wars Movies Every new Star Wars movie and TV show currently in the works
Alexander Skarsgård in Murderbot
Streaming Services 6 new movies and shows to watch this weekend on Netflix, Prime, Disney Plus, and more (May 16 - 18)
Michael B. Jordan as 'Smoke' and Miles Caton as 'Sammy' in Ryan Coogler's new vampire horror Sinners
Streaming Services The best new shows and movies streaming this week on Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and more
Daisy Ridley in Cleaner
Streaming Services 6 new movies and shows to watch this weekend on Netflix, Prime, Disney Plus, and more (June 13 - 15)
Natasha Lyonne as Charlie Cale in Poker Face.
Streaming Services The best new shows and movies streaming this week on Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and more
A couple of train crew look on in fear in Bullet Train Explosion.
Streaming Services The best new shows and movies streaming this week on Disney Plus, Netflix, Prime Video, and more
Havoc
Streaming Services 6 new movies and shows to watch this weekend on Netflix, Prime, Disney Plus, and more (April 25 - 27)
  1. Entertainment
  2. Movies
  3. Sci-Fi Movies
  4. Star Wars Movies
  5. Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Movies to watch this week at the cinema: Star Wars: The Force Awakens, more...

Features
By Total Film Staff published 14 December 2015

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Out on Friday 18 December

Out on Friday 18 December

Star Wars: The Force Awakens isn't the only film out. (Although your cinema listings may say otherwise.) Yes, heres this weeks new releases. Click on for our reviews of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Sherpa and Sparks & Embers. For the best movie reviews, subscribe to Total Film.

Page 1 of 4
Page 1 of 4
STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS

STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS

Blue letters on black: A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away And then: STAR WARS. And if that doesnt elicit goosebumps, the receding crawl that follows straightforward, enticing, with not a jot of gobbledegook about trade tariffs thrillingly echoes the openers of the original trilogy. This is old-school stuff, pitched just right, and so it is with most of the film that follows. Forget the overstuffed, over-polished, over-pixelated, underwhelming prequels by George Lucas. The look and feel of J.J. Abrams seventh episode in the beloved space saga is just what fans have been waiting for since 1983s Return Of The Jedi. Its time to party like an Ewok: the Force is strong with this one. But back to that crawl. The First Order has risen from the ashes of the Empire; and the Resistances (nee Rebellion) General Leia Organa has sent her most daring pilot to the planet of Jakku on a desperate mission (were paraphrasing here). That pilot is Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac). Hell team up with Finn (John Boyega), an AWOL Stormtrooper, and the pair will go in search of Damerons BB-8 droid, conveyor of a vital piece of a vital map... On Jakku, scavenging to survive, resides Rey (Daisy Ridley), the at-first-dubious-but-increasingly-proud owner of (you guessed it) a BB-8 droid. But no sooner have Rey and BB-8 started to roll together than they find themselves targeted by a death squad. Stop holding my hand! Rey yells at Finn, whos turned up in the nick of time to drag her to safety. Pointedly, thrillingly, she then grabs his hand to haul him into a rusting ship, their only hope of escape If any of this sounds convoluted and we havent even mentioned the First Orders Big Bads General Hux (Domhnall Gleeson) and Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), and its even Bigger Bad Supreme Leader Snoke (Andy Serkis, mo-capping once more) its not. Abrams and co-writers Lawrence Kasdan (who co-wrote The Empire Strikes Back and Return Of The Jedi) and Michael Arndt (Toy Story 3, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire) bring clarity and purity to the storytelling, returning to the part-mythological, part-Saturday-serial vibe of A New Hope. The images, too, are uncomplicated and unfussy. Just as Abrams jettisons the antiseptic sheen of the prequels in favour of the clunky, lived-in world of the originals, and uses CGI more to take away than to add (opting for practical effects and props wherever possible), so he refrains from the kamikaze camera and ADD-cutting of so many modern blockbusters. Yes, theres a mobility and immediacy to the battles that wasnt possible 30 years ago, but it never jars, always serves story. The use of irises and wipe-edits, meanwhile, is adopted for house style. Of the new triangle of characters, Boyega brings intensity and a surprisingly honed comic timing (I love the Resistance, he gabbles when Rey asks him if thats who hes with); Isaac is amiable and handsome and a welcome throwback in his effortless derring-do; and Ridley, always likeable, overcomes some initial woodenness to handle the heavy lifting of later emotional scenes. Of the old triangle, here making fan-pleasing returns, Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Leia (Carrie Fisher) set bottom lips a-trembling whenever they share the screen, while Luke (Mark Hamill) well, that would be telling. Lets just say theres good reason J.J. has guarded this aspect of the plot with the tightness of a Force choke, and instead focus on Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew), still rocking the greatest backcomb in movies. The hairy guy has also sharpened his sense of humour over the last 32 years his bickering double-act with Han will have you choking laughter like youre bringing up a fur ball. But its Drivers Kylo Ren who steals the show, a match for Darth Maul when sporting his car-grill mask, and something else entirely when he removes it. Star Wars, in many ways, is all about clearly defined lines and black and white, but this is the kind of anguish and soul-searching youd expect in an Ingmar Bergman movie. Albeit with a really cool lightsaber. Star Wars: The Force Awakens is not perfect nor could it ever be. But for every niggle (Snoke is pure Voldemort, one tentacular beast better belongs in Men In Black 3) there are 10 things that are exactly right, and it says much that no one will leave disappointed despite going in with hysterical levels of expectation. There are images here that brand the brain: Rey dwarfed by a crashed Star Destroyer as she toboggans down a huge hill of sand; Hux addressing thousands of Stormtroopers like its some Nazi propaganda rally filmed by Leni Riefenstahl; Starkiller Base, boasting firepower to make the Death Star(s) look like a Zippo lighter, destroying multiple planets. And if Episode VII is almost too slavishly reverential, its every sub-plot mirroring or reversing those that have gone before, and its nods and winks so plentiful as to border on the distracting, it is better this than to repeat Lucas prequel mistakes. This, undoubtedly, is the movie that fans wanted, the movie that fans deserve. And its only fitting that it is, beneath the scintillating action and striking world-building, a film about parents and children, about the effects of one generation on the next, about legacy. Star Wars: The Force Awakens will be viewed and passed down for many years to come. THE VERDICT: No need to have a bad feeling about this. J.J. Abrams movie will thrill youngsters and transport millions more back to their childhoods far, far away. Director: J.J. Abrams Starring: John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver, Domhnall Gleeson, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill Theatrical release: 17 December 2015 Jamie Graham

Page 2 of 4
Page 2 of 4
SHERPA

SHERPA

Jennifer Peedoms documentary explores Everest from the point of view of local Sherpas, for whom undertaking the dangerous ascent in assistance of travelling westerners is simply part of the day job. Theres a damning political undercurrent here, highlighting how the now-huge Everest industry mistreats and takes advantage of the Sherpas. Peedom does a great job of building tension to subtly demonstrate how low-paid, non-white workers are expected to be submissive and, via candid footage, exposes the shockingly self-centred and entitled attitudes of some of the western climbers. Director: Jennifer Peedom Starring: Phurba Tashi Sherpa, Russell Brice, Ed Douglas Theatrical release: 18 December 2015 Stephen Puddicombe

Page 3 of 4
Page 3 of 4
SPARKS & EMBERS

SPARKS & EMBERS

A lack of charms the harm in Gavin Boyters seasonal romcom, despite its nifty two-timeframe plot. When sacked record-label schlub Tom (Kris Marshall) gets stuck in a lift with corporate downsizer Eloise (Annelise Hesme), he ogles her bra, she huffs and love ignites. Five years on, they meet post-relationship as shes about to leave town. A classic will she/wont she scenario emerges, with game leads and Richard Curtis-esque draws (London landmarks, comedy carol singers, bantz): but we dont care because hes a regressive dork, shes an out-of-touch cipher and the chemistry never sparks. Director: Gavin Boyter Starring: Kris Marshall, Annelise Hesme Theatrical release: 18 December 2015 Kevin Harley

Page 4 of 4
Page 4 of 4
CATEGORIES
Disney Plus Streaming Services
Total Film Staff

The Total Film team are made up of the finest minds in all of film journalism. They are: Editor Jane Crowther, Deputy Editor Matt Maytum, Reviews Ed Matthew Leyland, News Editor Jordan Farley, and Online Editor Emily Murray. Expect exclusive news, reviews, features, and more from the team behind the smarter movie magazine. 

See more Movies Features
Read more
Rey in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
Every new Star Wars movie and TV show currently in the works
Alexander Skarsgård in Murderbot
6 new movies and shows to watch this weekend on Netflix, Prime, Disney Plus, and more (May 16 - 18)
Michael B. Jordan as 'Smoke' and Miles Caton as 'Sammy' in Ryan Coogler's new vampire horror Sinners
The best new shows and movies streaming this week on Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and more
Daisy Ridley in Cleaner
6 new movies and shows to watch this weekend on Netflix, Prime, Disney Plus, and more (June 13 - 15)
Natasha Lyonne as Charlie Cale in Poker Face.
The best new shows and movies streaming this week on Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and more
A couple of train crew look on in fear in Bullet Train Explosion.
The best new shows and movies streaming this week on Disney Plus, Netflix, Prime Video, and more
Latest in Star Wars Movies
Darth Vader in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
You now have a chance to own Darth Vader's actual lightsaber from the original Star Wars trilogy thanks to a "grail-level" auction, assuming you've got a cool $3 million to burn
Rian Johnson at the Poker Face season 2 premiere
8 years after it was announced, Rian Johnson's Star Wars trilogy appears to be dead after The Last Jedi director lifts lid on how far he got with it: "Nothing really happened"
Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith
Star Wars fans are debating the biggest what ifs of the saga, from pod race victors to Qui-Gon training Anakin
The Rise of Skywalker
From Ant-Man to The Rise of Skywalker, movie fans are discussing the films that break their own rules
Darth Vader in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
Superman star David Corenswet proves his Star Wars geek credentials with a watch order that everyone should try at least once
Rey in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson says he "had a great time" watching JJ Abrams' sequel The Rise of Skywalker: "I didn’t feel resentful in some way"
Latest in Features
The Fantastic Four: First Steps
The Fantastic Four are in Avengers: Doomsday, and I think I know what that means for First Steps
Naoe looks over at a dense, lush, green forest in Assassin's Creed Shadows from a viewpoint
I took 140 hours to finish Assassin's Creed Shadows, but post-launch updates are making it harder than ever to feel satisfied by RPGs
Ghost of Yotei gameplay showing Atsu sitting on her horse between bright pink cherry blossoms, looking at a distant fortification built against a mountain
I asked Ghost of Yotei's creative directors all of my burning questions, and I don't want to get your hopes up but Sucker Punch's sequel sounds like feudal Red Dead Redemption 2
Steam Deck review
I'm too broke to buy Donkey Kong Bananza, so if you're sharing my FOMO here are the best Steam Deck games I'm playing instead
Skate reboot screenshots
I played 4 hours of the new Skate and caught up with developer Full Circle, who believes "this is the best Skate has ever felt or played"
Cyberpunk 2077 screenshot of female V who has blue hair and wears pink trousers and black jacket and sits on the back of a motorcycle before neon skyscrapers
I've put over 900 hours into CD Projekt Red's RPG, and these are the best Cyberpunk 2077 gigs I always love replaying
  1. DK and Pauline look surprised in Donkey Kong Bananza
    1
    Donkey Kong Bananza Review: "Destruction isn't just a flashy gimmick for the Minecraft generation, it's one of the best inventions Nintendo has had in years"
  2. 2
    Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 + 4 review: "A nostalgic, must-play hit for fans"
  3. 3
    College Football 26 review: “Thanks to rivalries and dynasty, this is the greatest show on turf”
  4. 4
    Mecha Break review: "This mech battler makes up for lacking customization with a varied roster that lets me live out my Evangelion fantasy"
  5. 5
    Death Stranding 2: On the Beach review: "This tarpunk delivery epic is more Metal Gear Solid than ever, for better and worse"
  1. David Corenswet as Superman inside the Fortress of Solitude in James Gunn's Superman.
    1
    Superman review: "A triumphant reinvention and a promising start for the DCU"
  2. 2
    Jurassic World Rebirth Review: "An unscary sequel that needed a little more time in amber"
  3. 3
    M3GAN 2.0 review: "A bold sequel with a slightly underwhelming conclusion"
  4. 4
    28 Years Later Review: "Enough terror, splatter and suspense to satisfy”
  5. 5
    Predator: Killer of Killers review: "Great characters, thrilling action, and gorgeous Arcane-esque animation"
  1. Lee Jung-jae as Gi-hun in Squid Game season 3
    1
    Squid Game season 3 review: "A staggeringly excellent final season wraps up one of the greatest Netflix shows ever"
  2. 2
    Ironheart review: "A relic of Marvel's content-at-all-costs era"
  3. 3
    Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 3 review: "The show's most assured run of episodes to date"
  4. 4
    Doctor Who season 2, episode 8 spoiler review: 'The Reality War' is "a mix of the good, the bad, and the truly baffling"
  5. 5
    Doctor Who season 2, episode 7 spoiler review: 'Wish World' is "an exciting and ambitious" start to the season finale, with hints of WandaVision

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...