STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS has inspired our look at some of the craziest Star Wars fans from extreme tattoos to wedding proposals, plus read our full film review here.
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| Star Wars tattoos are just the tip of the iceberg |
Star Wars fever has well and truly struck.
Most of us have simply scrambled to get tickets for the blockbuster of all time but some people aretaking things to a whole new level.
From extraordinary body art (which we like to cleverly call 'tattoos to Tatooine?') to actual marriage proposals, Star Wars fans are on a whole different planet.
Probably one in a galaxy far, far away...
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| One fan transformed a home drone into the Millennium Falcon |
Some clever fans have used the film as inspiration for chat up lines. Thankfully not, "Is that a lightsaber in your pocket or are you just pleased to see me?"
Others have been doing some serious collecting.
If you think your tatty posters and ironic "Die, Rebel Scum" mug are impressive, check out the fan who has amassed over 500,00 items so far.
Our Star Wars extreme fan infographic next:
SCROLL DOWN FOR OUR STAR WARS FILM REVIEW
STAR WARS FILM REVIEW:
It's been a dodgy year for blockbusters with most ending up on the Dark Side. Terminator was terminated, and the last Bond film was not all that we had ex-spectred. Can The Force Awakens really live up to thirty years of expectations?
The answer is a resounding, and very relieved, YES.
JJ Abrams has delivered a masterful and majestic new chapter in the saga, with beautifully judged nods to the past and bright eyes and an open heart firmly fixed on the future.
Oh yes, from the moment the opening music kicked in and the screen scrolled through the opening lines of Chapter VII, my geese were bumped and my spine was tingled. I perched giddily on the edge of my seat as just over two hours flew by faster than the Millennium Falcon in the Kessel Run.
There are some HUGE plot twists and reveals, which I will not give you, despite any attempts to use Jedi mind tricks on me. But over the last few months, 'Where is Luke?' has been the theme of endless debate, theory and trending hashtags.
Well, it seems the whole galaxy is wondering the same thing.
The opening chapter crawl tells us that Luke has disappeared but only he can restore the Jedi to the universe and bring balance to the Force. A new Republic is in charge, but, basically the fate of the entire universe will be duked out between the evil First Order and the good old Rebel Alliance. And both sides are desperate to find Luke.
From the very beginning, there are unashamed echoes of Episode IV: a New Hope. A huge battle cruiser rumbles overhead and we discover that there is a secret hidden inside a loveable droid, BB-8. There are baddies in billowing cloaks and a terrifying planet-destroying secret weapon that may just handily have one hidden flaw.
Most powerfully of all, there are tragic rifts between parents and children which can only have the most heart-breaking of endings.
JJ Abrams has managed to go back to all the crucial elements that made the original three films such an enduring success. Those same elements that were so often lacking or replaced in the subsequent recent trilogy.
He wisely keeps us away from the glitter and gloss of the Republic – no boring trade delegations or interminable council meetings this time. It's a shrewd return to the space opera roots and gun-slinging Western magic of the original trilogy.
Obviously, much has been made of the triumphant return of Ford, Fisher and Hamill as Han Solo, Leia and Luke. It is an undeniable thrill to see all three back on the screen,and each one rightfully has his or her spine-tingling moment.
They are integral to the plot, but, crucially, they do not overwhelm it.
It's all about the new kids.
After the disasters of the moppet Anakin and grown up Hayden Christianson in the last films, Abrams delivers four fantastic new characters.
Daisy Ridley is spectacular as Rey, striding over sand dunes and kicking all hell out of desert warriors. She's like Keira Knightley with balls and her story builds to one hell of a jawdropping climax.
John Boyega is great as the Stormtrooper Finn who flees his evil masters. Lost and alone he finds a touching blend of bravado and puppyish yearning to belong as he hooks up with Rey on the run. Their budding relationship has bantering shades of Luke and Leia, although we seem to be blessedly safe from any whiff of incest this time around.
Oscar Isaacs is a testosterone-fuelled new incarnation of the Han Solo type. With just the right combination of swagger and honour, he is handsome, humorous and makes the most of the sharp and smart script.
Adam Driver has the hardest role of all and gives the standout performance of the film. Confined behind the gleaming black mask of Kylo Ren for much of the film, he is the poster boy for the First Order and wields the coolest cross-guard lightsaber this side of Naboo.
He is also an emotional basket case. His explosive rages are terrifying, but also give a moment of delicious light relief as two Stormtroopers quickly run back around a corner when they hear him having a tantrum in his room. As the film progresses and his mask comes off, it all boils down to daddy and granddaddy issues that build to a tremendously devastating showdown.
Abrams also learned his lessons from the last three films and wisely avoids 3-D trickery because there is simply no need for it. Every screen is already filled to the brim with glorious starships, exotic planets, dramatic action and quietly tender moments.
He sparingly delves in his bag of CGI tricks, preferring to use real locations and real actors.
A rebel base, space pirate's palace or intergalactic gambling and drinking den looks and feels totally real. (Music fans take note, reggae makes a comeback in the dodgy bars of the far distant future.)
Robots, droids and aliens are brought to life by prosthetics and gorgeous costuming, living and breathing on the screen in all their weird and wonderful glory.
This is a triumphant reboot of the biggest film franchise of our lifetimes and fully earns its place as the soon-to-be biggest film of all time.
The Force is awake and kicking ass.
RATING: 5 STARS
STAR WARS THE FORCE AWAKENS IS OUT IN UK CINEMAS AT 12.01 AM ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17
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