STACK April 2016 Issue 138

38 / 98

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. SH • See page 28
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. • See page 26
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
JB HI-FI EXCLUSIVE
Limited Edition Blu-ray
Steelbook
Star Wars: A New Hope
EXTRAS
FURTHER VIEWING
Release Date: 13/04/16
Format:
Southpaw
EXTRAS
FURTHER VIEWING
Release Date: 06/04/16
Format:
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visit DVD&BD REVIEWS
38 APRIL 2016
DVD&BD
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...
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DVD & BD
Becoming Adonis
BD ONLY
Know the Past, Own the Future
Deleted Scenes