Description

Welcome to “The Overview,” a series of alternative film commentaries where the gang from from Overthinking It—the smartest, funniest pop culture site on the whole internet—watch and discuss their favorite movies in real time.

In this edition, our panel analyzes Star Wars: The Force Awakens as a standalone movie and as a part of the larger Star Wars tradition. We go deep on the usage of masks, and how everyone from Kylo Ren to Rey seems to be hiding the truth from themselves and from others. We consider the movie’s relationship to A New Hope, not to criticize it for being derivative, but to examine how it works as a both a reboot and a sequel at the same time. And leaving no stone unturned, we try to determine whether Han Solo would hire Rey as an employee or an independent contractor aboard the Millennium Falcon.

Want even more Star Wars analysis?

Get the Force Awakens Overview with the Original Trilogy Overviews for only $7.99–a $4 discount! PLUS you’ll get a special podcast covering Episodes I-III, which is only available as part of the Overview package. Add both products to your cart and use the discount code WAKEUP at checkout.

While you’re at it, check out all of the installments of The Overview, the commentary series that listeners have called call “So good, I don’t even need the movie to enjoy them.” (Don’t get us wrong, we recommend you play the movie too. But it was awfully nice of them to say.)