5 reasons why women, girls should see ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’

This holiday season, I shall take my mother to watch the new Star Wars movie when she comes to visit. I’ve managed to watch Star Wars: The Force Awakens twice over the opening weekend and now I am planning a third viewing.

It's that good. The storyline is solid, the effects are reminiscent of the classic trilogy and not as heavily computer-generated as the prequels, and the characters are all lovable, including the bad guys. Yet what appealed to me the most is how the female characters are actually pushing the plot forward. It’s something very special that I think women of all ages should see.

Here are 5 reasons to make this movie a date with your gal-pals, or with your daughter, or like in my case, with your beloved mother and maybe your grandmother, too:

Photos: Lucasfilm Ltd.

1. The galaxy far far away’s newest hope is a woman. Rey (Dasiy Ridley) lives up to the high expectations of Star Wars fans, especially those who hold the original trilogy sacred. As early as 2013, speculations were already abuzz in all of geekdom about a female lead role for the new Star Wars film. Another Princess Leia or Padme Amidala perhaps? Fast forward to November 30, 2015, during an interview on Good Morning America, director JJ Abrams finally said, “Star Wars was always a boys’ thing and a movie that dads take their sons to, and though that’s still very much the case, I was really hoping this could be a movie that mothers could take their daughters to as well.” You are going to agree with him once you watch the film.

JJ Abrams saw the original trilogy as a kid and he related to Luke Skywalker’s character most of all. Now he’s hoping that young women will relate to Rey, who is able to overcome obstacles in her way. Rey’s back-story is absent in this film and it will probably come in the next two films; but for now, she is no one, which makes her an Everywoman. That is the best part: Rey is every bit like you and me, we’re all survivors of our own paths. In this movie, Rey will go on a quest almost similar to that of Luke Skywalker’s own journey and we all know how important Luke was in the Star Wars universe. So, yes, bring the impressionable younger family members. This movie is for them.

2. Rey is part of a burgeoning trend of female heroines in cinema. Rey’s character follows the new mighty tradition of women saving the world. 2015 concluded the Hunger Games trilogy with Katniss Everdeen leading a rebellion against the oppressive Panem government. On television, you have female characters taking title roles in "Agent Carter," "Jessica Jones," and "Supergirl." Movies about female superheroes are in the pipeline, notably Wonder Woman, who shall make her debut appearance in next year’s Batman v Superman. It’s going to be a fun ride for female fans who are growing in membership. The box office numbers do not lie: women are buying more and more tickets to movies whose storylines have serious followings. Studios are finally taking the time to represent them.

3. The wise old mentor is female. Academy Award winner Lupita Nyong’o joins the cast of Star Wars to voice Maz Kanata, a wise old alien whose eyes are capable of looking into a person’s soul. Remember Yoda? She will remind you of him.

An even more fleeting character who will no doubt have more coverage in the next installment is Captain Phasma, a female villain whose uniform is stunningly androgynous. Her armor does not have boobs, a big contrast to the past cinematic era where masked superheroes and villains had nipples on their costumes.

4. The friendship between Rey and Finn, a Storm Trooper who defects to her side, is beautiful. How many times have we wished that men and women be portrayed to be best of friends on the silverscreen without falling into the trap of cliché romances?

No, I don’t mean that Finn (John Boyega) will be friend-zoned outright here—their story is not yet finished—but both characters have each other’s backs and that is groundwork for a rich development in terms of plot for the next few films. The Force is strong with JJ Abrams on this one.

5. They let Princess Leia age and become the formidable General Organa.  Hollywood is generally unkind to “mature” actresses and roles. In this film, however, JJ Abrams and his crew did not make any attempt to make Carrie Fisher look like her former self in the classic trilogy, and that’s a good thing.

The second time I watched this film, someone in the audience yelled, “Ay, ang tanda na ni Princess Leia!” I don’t think anyone should expect Leia to come out in her golden bikini; we’ve gone past that. The only thought on my mind when I saw her was, I hope that I will age as gracefully. And I wouldn't mind leading an army, either.

Remember, this is Star WARS, wars aren’t always so forgiving on women AND men. She actually looks great for someone who is in the middle of a hostile inter-galactic conflict. Oh but that chemistry between her and Han Solo, it’s still there, and when they shared the screen together for the first time, I squeezed my husband’s hand tight. It’s THE romance that transcends ages and universes. Han Solo is reprised by Harrison Ford who, incidentally, has also aged gracefully but not for the exclusive purpose of this film. He is still as handsome as ever.

Those are my top five reasons why women and girls should be flocking to the box office. Take it from a young woman in her thirties who walked down the aisle to Darth Vader’s march on her wedding day. Needless to say, this is definitely my favorite Star Wars film. So far. — BM, GMA News

Star Wars: The Force Awakens is now showing in cinemas.