Harrison Ford in Star Wars: The Force Awakens

The Force Awakens is a wonderful addition to the Star Wars saga. It technically may be a little too reminiscent of the original film, but I don't really care because I thoroughly enjoy every second of it.





Harrison Ford of course returns as Han Solo, and I must say right off bat that there will be spoilers in this review, although you really should have seen the movie by this point.

Ford first appears in the film as he stumbles upon Fin (John Boyega) and Rey (Daisy Ridley) hiding away in the Millennium Falcon. This is a fantastic scene as Ford burst on the scene poised like the action hero we know Han Solo to be. His immortal delivery of the line "Chewie, we're home" is absolutely wonderful as he lets the audience feel the same nostalgic joy that Han is feeling in that moment. After this, he discovers Fin and Rey hiding out and he becomes the Han Solo we remember from the previous films. Ford is exceptional in this regard as he seems so comfortable to the point that that you almost forget that he hasn't played this part in several decades.

Now I must say, as with his previous portrayals of Han Solo (my favourite Star Wars character, for the record) Ford is just an absolute blast to watch here. He is basically charisma incarnate as he is so charming while at the same time being, frankly, a snarky wise-ass. This aspect is the same as the previous film, but I find it especially enjoyable here.

There's more to his performance than just that though, as we must not forget that is an older, wiser Han Solo. In effect, Han plays the role of mentor to Fin and Rey, much in the same way that Ob-Wan was the mentor to Luke. Ford is excellent in this aspect because  he doesn't betray the character of Han, in fact he portrays him exactly how you'd imagine him as a mentor. Ford presents sort of an outward reluctance and annoyance in his role as mentor, but it's made clear through mostly brief moments, that this is only on the outside. One of my favourite moments of Ford's performance is when he tells Fin and Rey that all the stories they've been told are true. Ford in this one scene shows just how much the previous films have changed him. Where he was once a man who believed that "hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster by your side", he is now freely willing to admit that "it's true. All of it."

Some of Ford's best scenes are his interactions with his wife Leia (Carrie Fisher, of course). Ford is brilliant in these scenes as he shows the entire history of their relationship since Jedi through just the way he interacts with her.

Here's where the spoilers begin. It's revealed that the main villain of the film, Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) is in fact Han and Leia's son Ben. Anytime Han and Leia discuss their son, Ford is incredible in that he shows a deep love for his son and at the same time a deep regret that he couldn't keep him from turning to the dark side. This all leads to what is perhaps the best scene in the film.

The scene I'm referring to is of course when Han finally confronts his son. Ford and Driver actually only share this one scene in the entire film, but that's all that's needed. Ford is absolutely amazing throughout this entire scene as Han tries one last time to reach through to his son. Ford is heartbreaking as he shows that even though it's probably a lost cause, Han still has hope that some good remains in his son. This is of course shattered when Ben murders Han. Ford's reaction here is absolutely flawless in that more than any physical pain he's feeling, he shows that Han is heartbroken that he could not save his son.

This is an absolutely fantastic performance from Harrison Ford as he's not only the Han Solo we know and love from the previous films, he manages to go further than that and give a complete portrait of this man who's gone through so much. After so many years of phoning it in, it's so good to see that Ford still has it in him to give a great performance.

Rating: 5/5