STACK NZ APril 2016 Issue 72

26 / 47

No movie could possibly live
up to the hype and fervent
expectation that surrounded The
Force Awakens, but J.J. Abrams
has admirably delivered the first
worthy successor to the original
Star Wars trilogy. He gives diehard
fans exactly what they want and
introduces the galaxy far, far
away to a whole new generation
through a trio of thoroughly endearing new characters.
Winsome scavenger Rey (Daisy Ridley), defecting
stormtrooper Finn (John Boyega), and loveable ball droid
BB-8 join forces with seasoned vets Han Solo, Chewie
and Leia to take on the First Order – an evil regime that
has risen from the Dark Side and the ashes of the fallen
Empire. There are stormtroopers, a masked Dark Lord, a
planet-destroying superweapon, the Millennium Falcon
being pursued by TIE Fighters – it’s pure Star Wars as
we know it and love it. Although set 30 years after the
events of Return of the Jedi, narrative similarities with A
New Hope are unavoidable – and no doubt intentional.
By using a familiar template as the springboard for a
new trilogy, and leaving enough unanswered questions
to set up Episode VIII, the Star Wars universe can now
expand in new and unexpected directions.
Scott Hocking
The Force is strong in this one
STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS
After watching him in a trilogy
of Expendables movies over
the last five years, it’s easy to
forget that there’s a good actor
inside of Sylvester Stallone.
His supporting role Oscar
nomination this year for Creed
was a reminder that Rocky
Balboa is undeniably Sly’s
greatest screen creation, and
after six movies in and out of
the ring, he’s back to mentor
the son of late rival and friend
Apollo Creed in Ryan Coogler’s spirited spin-off.
Adonis Johnson (Michael B. Jordan) is determined
to follow in his father’s championship footsteps, but
he needs the now retired Rocky to help him do it.
With its strong focus on character complementing
the fight scenes and training montages, Creed feels
like a natural continuation of a franchise that reached
its conclusion with 2006’s Rocky Balboa. By passing
the torch and repurposing the first film’s winning
formula, Creed reinivorgates the series and reminds
seasoned viewers what they loved about the early
Rocky movies. Much better than expected, and highly
recommended. SH
Rising son
CREED
BD ONLY
Secrets of The Force Awakens:
A Cinematic Journey
The Story Awakens:
The Table Read
Crafting Creatures
Building BB-8
Blueprint of a Battle:
The Snow Fight
ILM: The Visual Magic of
The Force
John Williams: The Seventh
Symphony
Deleted Scenes
Force for Change
Star Wars: A New Hope
EXTRAS
FURTHER VIEWING
Release Date: 13/04/16
Format:
Southpaw
EXTRAS
FURTHER VIEWING
Release Date: 06/04/16
Format:
TOP
HITS
Ryan Coogler wanted to uphold
the series’ father/son theme.
“It’s a sport where you need
to lean on other people,”
the filmmaker said. “You see
fighters have this bond with
their trainer. We saw it with
Tyson and Cus D’amato. We
saw it with Rocky and Mick.
It’s a very special bond. We
wanted to capture that.”
DID YOU KNOW...
visit DVD&BD REVIEWS
26 APRIL 2016
DVD&BD
TOP
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DVD & BD
Becoming Adonis
BD ONLY
Know the Past, Own the Future
Deleted Scenes