7. The Casting Elevates The Film
If the Star Wars films have never really been about great performances or acting (aside from a few obvious instances), then The Force Awakens ardently corrects that. Ill talk about Daisy Ridley and John Boyega in the next entry, so here lets look at two of the best actors alive, a pair who undoubtedly lift The Force Awakens into a greater echelon: Oscar Isaac and Adam Driver. The former has the least screen-time of the leads, and its fair to say that his arc is far less developed than that of Rey's, Finn's, and Rens, but theres still enough here to suggest his monumental talent and his ability to be a franchise star as well as an indie actor. My vote for the best contemporary actor alive, Isaac brings a bona fide star-power to proceedings, taking up the charismatic, cocky Han Solo figure to add a bit of flair to a cast whose other main leads are relative unknowns (though clearly not for long). Driver, on the other hand, has much more to do, and in doing it he proves himself the newcomer MVP, a title which Boyega and Ridley could realistically also hold but which Driver just shades because hes so damn distinctive. One of the most unique actors around, Driver is a true oddball, his elongated face and inimitable delivery setting him apart from the majority of Hollywoods bland, young talent. And hes absolutely electric as Kylo Ren, menacing and foreboding with his mask on, distressed and susceptible to emotion with it off. Add to that the likes of Domnhall Gleeson and Lupita Nyong'o, and you have the Star Wars film with the best bench of acting talent in the saga so far.