Finally, after weeks and weeks of speculation and promise, the first teaser trailer for J.J. Abrams’ Star Wars: The Force Awakens has arrived. What are you waiting for? Watch it already!
The 88-second clip generated a lot of headlines leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday as Abrams first said that the trailer was going to be in theaters and, later, admitting it would be online on Black Friday. Patrons still will have the option to screen the trailer in theaters today at participating locations. But you stayed in your pajamas and avoided the crowds, and for that, you have been rewarded.
No joke. I cried. Everything about this trailer is an incredible win. It makes all of the right decisions, starting with the fact that it doesn't feature ANY of the original cast members. All newcomers, starting with John Boyega in what looks like a Stormtrooper suit. The Daisey Ridley boarding an individual craft. And Oscar Isaac in an X-Wing fighter. INCREDIBLE.
We also get our first glance at the villain of the piece, but only from behind, so it tells us very little. Except they have a great new lightsaber.
When the trailer gets to the part about "The Light" being in opposition to the Dark Side -- and the Millennium Falcon comes roaring across the screen to take on Tie Fighters... well, if you grew up with this stuff, that's when the waterworks probably started. John Williams' score triggers a flood of emotions. The Falcon soars. And all of a sudden, you are a little kid again, tracking the progress of Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Han Solo.
This is the first step in a year-long marketing campaign that will push the latest Star Wars sequel into the pop-culture landscape. Because it's not just The Force Awakens that needs to be introduced. There will have to be a broader education to the larger universe that Disney wants to build here. Spinoffs. Solo features directed by up-and-coming filmmakers. The continuation of this trilogy that J.J. Abrams is kick-starting. This is the first step, but there will be plenty more.
Star Wars roars back to life when J.J. Abrams' The Force Awakens reaches theaters on December 18, 2015.
