STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS – Third Trailer Breakdown

There is no doubt that Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens is the most anticipated film of winter 2015. Some may even consider it the most discussed of the 2010s so far, if not ever. When it comes to large-scale franchises like Star Wars, with its critical acclaim (at least with the originals) and its overwhelming commercial success, everything about a new instalment is bound to raise excitement.

Fans get psyched from only a still image, or an announcement concerning the cast. Although two teaser trailers were published previously, the third and last trailer for the film just landed yesterday. Rumours have been surrounding the film, and some of the shots in the newest trailer may answer a mystery or two. In this article, I will be looking at some of the key shots from the trailer and will briefly outline the potential significance of each one.

Shot-by-shot Discussion

We see from this shots that Rey (played by Daisy Ridley) is either on a mission or, as her character profile says, scavenging. Her location appears to be within a wrecked ship from a past battle, and it seems the new planet Jakku has an abundance of ruins. This may even date back to shortly after Return Of The Jedi from thirty years prior. Why is she there and what is she trying to achieve?

This shot confirms that Rey was the individual within the wrecked ship. As she wanders through the dessert planet of Jakku, accompanying her is new droid BB-8. Past rumours suggested that BB-8 belonged to X-Wing pilot Poe Dameron (played by Oscar Isaac), but this shot may suggest otherwise. And what is that staff Rey is holding? Will it be another badass double Darth Maul lightsaber? Is it similar to General Grevious’ guards from Episode III: Revenge Of The Sith? Or… is it the one that belonged to the Sith Lord Darth Plagueis?

The latter in itself is a theory to be discussed. In voice-over, she answers “I’m no one” to “who are you?”, asked possibly by Maz Kanata (played by Lupita Nyong’o). This raises a couple of questions – is she really just ‘no one’? And who is asking her?

This shot was seen just before the official trailer was released. It was among the three 10-second teasers that were part of it. Rey is seen here mending something that clearly looks a particle from either the ship she previously entered or one of her own. This shot may raise the theory that she is a Skywalker (either Luke or Leia’s daughter) by having the unique ability to fix things, like her potential grandfather Anakin Skywalker before he turned to the Dark Side of the Force. We’ll find out her origins on the big screen in December.

The first shot in this trailer of our Stormtrooper hero Finn (played by John Boyega). Judging from his expression, he looks to be confused or conflicted by something on what appears to be a First Order ship. This is how we have seen him from stills and previous two trailers. Is there any shot we’re going to see of Finn when he doesn’t look exhausted or anxious? Seriously, though, he looks to appear in a tense situation.

Is he really a Stormtrooper or has he been disguised as one as part of a mission? Like Han and Luke did in Episode IV: A New Hope? Following later shots, he is shown to pursue a path to a Jedi Knight by wielding a blue lightsaber. If he really was a Stormtrooper to begin with, how would he become a Jedi and where does it tie in? It will be interesting to find out. He also says “I was raised to do one thing”, what was he raised to do, fight? And, perhaps more significant, who raised him? Could this answer rumours that he is a descendant of Mace Windu or of Lando Calrissian?

Now this particular shot may be what occurs at the very beginning of The Force Awakens. A TIE Fighter, suggestively Finn’s crash lands onto Jakku from a First Order Star Destroyer, as seen in the top corner of the first shot. This may confirm that he was, indeed, a Stormtrooper, and how he first encountered Rey. In voice-over, Finn says “I’ve got nothing to fight for”. What does this mean? Does he mean that he had lost something and wants to change into something else (perhaps his transformation from Stormtrooper to Jedi)? It certainly seems that the second shot here has significance: are Finn’s Stormtrooper days are over and he now wants to join the Resistance to become a Jedi? We’ll see.

Our first shot of the First Order. This shot is effectively done via zoom-in and the central figure appears to resemble Darth Vader, particularly the helmet if you look closely. Although we know that Vader has been dead long gone (and did have a change of heart in Episode VI: Return Of The Jedi which may not be acknowledged in the film), this figure may possibly be on par with Vader in terms of power. It doesn’t necessarily mean that Vader will be directly recreated in the form of another, but only inspired. More voice-over narrates that “nothing will stand in our way” before cutting to the next shot…

Our first front shot of Kylo Ren (played by Adam Driver). The mask resembles that of a certain Sith Lord from previous instalments. Abrams already said that it’s a nod to that Sith but surely, there must be another significance to it? Perhaps he’s following in the same footsteps as Vader did – a bad guy with good origins. Maybe Kylo has family or former friends on the opposite side. In this shot, he says “I will finish…” as the next shot reveals who’s work he will finish.

Darth Vader! We will at least see this shot of him, specifically his melted mask from the funeral pyre in Return Of The Jedi. How did Kylo Ren even retrieve Vader’s helmet, when he may not even have been born then? How does he know about Darth Vader and why is he so concerned about him?

Rumours suggested that Ren and Vader are, in fact, related as grandfather and grandson; specifically that Ren could be the son of Leia (played by Carrie Fisher) and Han Solo (played by Harrison Ford). This may bring a few more ties to Ren’s obsession with Vader, or maybe his master Supreme Leader Snoke filled him in. Still, Darth Vader seems to have a significant part in The Force Awakens but to what extent? We shall find out.

In this shot, we see Poe Dameron (played by Oscar Isaac). This can mean it is Poe Dameron who Kylo Ren is torturing. He is using the Force to do so but what exactly it is doing to him? It’s not Force-choking as we have seen in both the original and prequel trilogies, so it must be inside his head. Sounds quite sadistic, doesn’t it? Kylo Ren certainly does seem a deadly force (pun intended) to be reckoned with, but what may have been the cause? Could this be a new Force torturing technique instead of the traditional Lightning?

This is similar to what we saw in the second trailer. It features two TIE Fighters of the First Order in pursuit of the iconic Millennium Falcon. Simultaneously in voice-over with the wrecked Star Destroyer in shot, Rey says “there are stories about what happened”. Indeed, what happened? In a following shot, Han Solo seemingly responds to the question, “It’s true, all of it”. This dialogue implies to viewers that there are stories that fill in the gaps between Return Of The Jedi and The Force Awakens.

This shot confirms that both Finn and Rey end up on the Millennium Falcon at some point in the film. If you look to the right of this image, you can see what appears to be a number of spheres of planets. It seems that Finn, Rey, Han and, presumably, Chewbacca are on a mission, but what is it? Where are they going and what are they after? Or, as rumours suggest, are they attempting to navigate to Luke Skywalker’s location?

Is this Kylo Ren and his fellow Knights of Ren? This group was confirmed by J.J. Abrams, the film’s director, co-producer and co-writer, in a recent report. Perhaps they are associated among Sith, or a form of dark Jedi evolved from after events of Return Of The Jedi. Abrams already said that Kylo Ren isn’t even his birth name, which makes his origins more complex. That being said, will we learn more about the Knights? Will we meet any others?

Meanwhile, the First Order Stormtroopers commence their attack on the Resistance and ruin a specific location. Could it be the rumoured castle of Maz Kanata? And as we’ve seen behind-the-scenes shots of Stormtrooper extras, could we be in for a surprise cameo entrance from a star? Simon Pegg may have accidentally exposed Daniel Craig as a Stormtrooper. That’s badass in itself – James Bond in a Stormtrooper costume!

Our first taste of the Resistance as a unit. Poe Dameron and Finn pass each other as they prepare for battle. Are these two characters’ fates ultimately going to be entwined by the forthcoming battle? Will Poe win a space battle and could Finn wield a lightsaber?

This certainly appears a mystery but could also be a crucial plot point in the film. Han, Rey, Finn and BB-8 venture to a mysterious location. Could it be to help track Luke Skywalker’s whereabouts? Who are they going to see? Could it be a meeting with the Resistance formulating their plan against the First Order?

There has been great speculation surrounding this specific shot. Clearly the droid is R2-D2 but the mystery remains: who is the hooded figure touching him? Rumours already state that it may be Luke Skywalker (played by Mark Hamill) himself; hence the mechanical left hand that was lost in Episode V – Empire Strikes Back. This shot may also indicate serious conversation (maybe between Luke and either Rey or Finn) and possible sadness (hence why the hood is up). Is it a flashback funeral? We’ll have to wait and see.

Could this be the biggest spoiler so far? Rey is clearly crying over a potential death of an ally or is somewhat traumatized by her circumstances. Rumours already indicate that a certain classic character may meet his or her end in The Force Awakens but only time will tell. If it is the case, it’ll certainly be a strong build-up to Episode VIII in 2017, and will unveil the power that the new villains possess.

This is a memorable shot in itself. We last saw Han and Leia together at much younger ages in Return Of The Jedi but here, 30 years later, we see them in an intimate shot. Could this be their emotional reunion? Could their conversation have raised the past? Could they be saying goodbye? Or… could they both be mourning a potential deceased ally?

 

And finally, the trailer’s last shot features what could be a badass duel between Finn and Kylo Ren. It may resemble Luke’s showdown with Vader, mainly as Finn looks nervous like Luke did. Interestingly, though, Kylo doesn’t appear to be wearing the mask. Why isn’t he and what could the outcome be? Not “I am your father!” again, surely.

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So, there you have it. The final trailer of Star Wars: The Force Awakens has been released and examined. Now all we have to do is wait for the finished product in December.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens hits cinemas in the UK on December 17, and in worldwide theatres on December 18th, though some countries already get it on the 16th. Check to see if your country is one of the lucky ones, here.

Are there any other shots I excluded that you think may be crucial? Thoughts on my analysis?

How excited are you about Star Wars: The Force Awakens? Did you get tickets for the opening weekend?

(top image source: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)