There are a host of reasons Star Wars became a zeitgeist-capturing megahit, but its sense of adventure and unbridled fun proved to be the deciding factor. Star Wars high entertainment quotient provided a joyous antidote to the sober-minded cinema of the 1970s and audiences ate it up. As the trilogy progressed Lucas & Co never forgot to spice things up with a healthy dose of escapist fun. A vein of self-seriousness infested Star Wars in The Phantom Menace with details like Anakin being born from a virgin birth and the Force being attributed to a bacterial infection. The serious tone continued throughout the prequels with Revenge Of The Sith turning into a full-blown tragedy. The crowd-pleasing trailer for The Force Awakens seems to herald a return to highly-entertaining form. When shooting wrapped up this November, Abrams delivered a thank you note to the cast of The Force Awakens that could stand in for his Star Wars mission statement. Abrams said he intended to make a film that will "entertain millions of people, of all ages, for generations to come". Abrams goals are entirely simpatico with the spirit of original trilogy. Hopefully, The Force Awakens rekindles the old school Star Wars thrills with modern flair. Is Star Wars in the right hands? Or does Abrams not really understand its appeal? Give your take on The Force Awakens down in the comments.
