Often, what you see on a screen when it comes to Hollywood blockbusters is not at all what the initial footage looked like. Whether it’s CGI, practical effects, models, costumes, make-up or any of the other numerous tactics employed to create movie magic, the finished product is almost always enhanced in some manner, especially when it comes to big budget films.
Thankfully, nearly every major blockbuster has its production recorded and documented by photographers and over the years, some truly incredible, exciting and often hilarious behind the scenes photos have made their way online. And so, on that note, join us today as we settle into another edition of our weekly column, where we’ll be exploring the sci-fi epic that is J.J. Abrams’ Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Released in 2015, and sitting at an outstanding 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, the seventh chapter in the iconic saga was a hit both critically and commercially, praised for injecting fresh energy into the franchise and introducing audiences to a ton of new characters who instantly made their way into our heart.
Simply put, it did exactly what it needed to do. Where George Lucas’ poorly acted, CGI-heavy prequels left us cold and empty, The Force Awakens returned us to a universe into which we can fully immerse ourselves. Watching it felt good, in a way that was reflected by Han and Chewbacca, as they burst onto the deck of the Millenium Falcon, and declared, “We’re home.”
But, The Force Awakens also needed to bring new audiences into the fold and, with our beloved heroes returning to the screen to guide a new generation of characters, the film achieved its primary mission – rebooting the franchise by bridging a generational gap.
To conclude, Star Wars: The Force Awakens is a modernized summation of all that made the original movies great, with new actors and special effects perfectly complementing the old styles. It’s family-orientated science fiction done right and we’re happy to now be able to take a closer look at it thanks to the behind the scenes photos in the gallery above.
