Top Ten Christmas Movies

One of my favorite parts about the Christmas season is watching great movies with family (usually with my dad since he's about the only one who can appreciate a good movie with me). Now I've spoken before in this blog how I usually watch all my favorite movies around Christmas season or the end of the year. (Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Gladiator, Amadeus, Phantom of the Opera etc) I would even say that I actually watch more non-Christmas movies around Christmas time then Christmas movies,. For me it's nothing against Christmas movies, but it's just my favorite time to enjoy my favorite movies, staying warm by the fireplace. However this year my dad and I had a discussion on the importance of Christmas movies.

Christmas movies have always been a part of my family bonding and tradition. Sure there's been the non-Christmas films we have watched regularly over the years such as Amadeus, Phantom of the Opera, or even Midnight in Paris (I'll have a separate list on this category to come). However it's the Christmas movies that really hone in on the spirit of Christmas. These movies should certainly take precedence over any other films on family holiday occasions. I believe it is also important to watch some new Christmas films each year, which is how they can become classics. 

Here is my list of favorite Christmas movies over the years,. I'll admit there are some Christmas classics I have yet to see such as A Christmas Story. And then there are some popular films that I just don't care for such as Elf, The Santa Clause, The Grinch who Stole Christmas, and the very depressing Charlie Brown Christmas. However for the most part I think I have seen most of the staples at this point and can compile a fairly distinguishable list on my current top 10 favorite Christmas films. 

Top Ten Favorite Christmas Movies

10. Christmas Vacation

Year Released: 1989

Director: Jeremiah S. Chechik

Actors: Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Randy Quaid

Setting: 1980s Chicago Suburbia 

Significance: Over the years this has become a Christmas staple for my family, almost to the point of which it is getting old for me. I do remember the first time we all watched it and all of us were roaring in laughter at the scene where the dog chases the squirrel throughout the Griswald houshold. So many classic funny moments in this movie carried by Chevy Chase's witty sense of humor. He's an average middle class suburban dad who only wants to have a good Christmas with his family but everything keeps going wrong. It covers all components of Christmas, from the tree, the lights, the decorating,  the egg nog, the family, the carols, and the present exchange. The movie is essentially a Christmas package in it's own right and that's what has made it such an iconic comedy for the holidays.  

Famous Quotes: 

Clark W. Griswold: "Where do you think you're going? Nobody's leaving. Nobody's walking out on this fun, old-fashioned family Christmas. No, no. We're all in this together. This is a full-blown, four-alarm holiday emergency here. We're gonna press on, and we're gonna have the hap, hap, happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap-danced with Danny fucking Kaye. And when Santa squeezes his fat white ass down that chimney tonight, he's gonna find the jolliest bunch of assholes this side of the nuthouse."

Ellen Griswold: Clark, I think that it would be best for everybody if they all just went home...before things get any worse.

Clark W. Griswold: WORSE?!?!? How can things get any worse?!?!? Take a look around you Ellen! We're at the threshold of Hell!

9. The Holiday

Year Released: 2006

Director: Nancy Meyers

Actors: Kate Winslet, Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, Jack Black

Setting: Present day Los Angeles and rural Britain 

Significance: It is a sappy modern day Christmas comedy, however has a unique twist to it as it spent in Los Angeles and a small town in Britain. Kate Winselt and Cameron Diaz decide to swap houses during the holiday season and find themselves in some comical and romantic situations. 

Famous Quotes:

Arthur Abbott: Iris, in the movies we have leading ladies and we have the best friend. You, I can tell, are a leading lady, but for some reason, you're behaving like the best friend. 

Iris: You're so right. You're supposed to be the leading lady of your own life for God's sake!

8. Just Friends

Year Released: 2005

Director: Roger Kumble

Actors: Ryan Reynolds, Amy Smart, Anna Farris, Chris Kline

Setting: Modern day Suburbia, Los Angeles

Significance: Its a modern day Christmas comedy, which I remember first discovering during my college days. The story is about a guy, Ryan Reynolds trying to get past the friend zone with a girl, Amy Smart, who has always liked since high school. It is a romantic comedy dosed with a suburban Christmas setting. Anna Farris and Chris Kline also provide great comedic supporting roles. It has plenty of laugh out loud moments that my family has really come to enjoy over the holiday season.   

Famous Quotes: 

Samatha James: (singing) Forgiveness, is more than saying sorry. 

7. Love Actually 

Year Released: 2003

Director: Richard Curtis

Actors: Hugh Grant, Liam Neeson, Colin Firth, Laura Linney, Emma  Thompson, Alan Rickman, Keira  Knightley, Bill Nighy

Setting: Modern day Britain

Significance: It is a British romantic comedy set during Christmas time with many stories going on at once. Each story has a theme of love and Christmas. Some memorable moments include the opening of Keira Knightley's wedding and an original rendition of the Beatles "Love". Then there is the sad coworker of Keira who displays his love for her thru cue cards, yet she is married to another man. Meanwhile Hugh Grant provides his usual quirkiness as the prime minister,. All throughout these romantic stories Bill Nighy provides an original Christmas tune to the melody of The Troggs "Love is All Around Us". 

Famous Quotes: Prime Minister: "If you go look for it, I've got a sneaky feeling you'll find that love is actually all around"

6. Miracle on 34th Street 

Year Released: 1947, 1994

Director: George Seaton; Les Mayfield

Actors: Maureen O'Hara, John Payne, Natalie Wood, Edmund Gwenn/ Richard Attenbourough, Elizabeth Perkins, Mara Wilson, Dylan McDermott

Setting: New York City

Significance: It is a classic Christmas story, about a young kid coming to grips with the reality of Santa Clause. Set in New York City during the Christmas season, the young girl of a business manager sees the stores' Santa Clause on a regular basis. While the Santa Clause is very convicing and popular the young girl remains doubtful. However after a court case and a series of unusual events she begins to believe that he is indeed the real Santa Clause  

Famous Quotes:

Kris Kringle: "Oh, Christmas isn't just a day, it's a frame of mind... and that's what's been changing. That's why I'm glad I'm here, maybe I can do something about it."

Kris: You think I'm a fraud, don't you?

Dorey: Fraud is a bit too strong of a word.

Kris: But you don't believe in me.

Dorey: I believe that Christmas is for children.

Kris: Well your daughter doesn't believe in me, either.

Dorey: I don't think that there's any harm in not believing in a figure that many do acknowledge to be a fiction.

Kris: Oh, but there is. I'm not just a whimsical figure who wears a charming suit and affects a jolly demeanor. You know, I... I... I'm a symbol. I'm a symbol. I'm a symbol of the human ability to be able to suppress the selfish and hateful tendencies that rule the major part of our lives. If... You can't believe, if you can't accept anything on faith, then you're doomed for a life dominated by doubt.

5. The Nativity Story

Year Released: 2006

Director: Catherine Hardwicke

Actors: Keisha Castle Hughes, Oscar Isaac

Setting: Nazareth and Bethlehem

Significance: In today's society it seems Christmas is dominated by the material goods; shopping, food, decorations, Santa Clause, reindeer, presents, etc. However what is sometimes missed is the real reason for the season and that is the birth of Christ. Being raised in a Catholic family the nativity story has always been a cornerstone of our Christmas celebrations. From the advent season, the Christmas mass, and our Venezuelan pesebre, Jesus has always taken a resplendence over Santa Clause in my family. This film is not a usual funny Christmas comedy, yet rather a warm and heartfelt one about the birth of Christ.  

Famous Quotes: 

Anne: "What about Joseph, he's a good man!"

Joseph: "And you shall call his name Jesus, for it is he who will save the people from their sins. I know Mary. God showed me. An angel came to me in my dream."

Mary: "You believe me?"

Joseph: "I believe you. The child will need a father. I will declare him as my own."

Mary: "People will not look at you the same. They will not look at us the same."

Joseph: "You are my wife. I am your husband. That is all they need to know"

4. Home Alone 1 and 2

Year Released: 1990 and 1992

Director: Chris Colombus

Actors: Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern 

Setting: New York City

Significance: It's one of my favorite childhood Christmas comedies. A story about a bratty child, forgotten by his family and left alone for the holidays. I could always relate to the large noisy family scenes. Macaulay Culkin plays the ideal menacing child who is able to defend his household from a pair of robbers, all during the Christmas season. In the second film he is lost in New York City, however it is a similar theme of being left alone during Christmas. Both the first and second film, are original Christmas stories, and have become nostalgic classics during the holiday season. 

Famous Quotes:

Snakes 2nd Gangster: What do you mean?

Johnny 1st Gangster: He's upstairs takin' a bath. He'll call when he gets out.

Johnny 1st Gangster: (pulls out the gun) Hey!, I think I'm gonna give you, Snakes. I'm gonna give you the count of ten, to get your ugly, yella, no-kester off my property, before I pump your gull of lead?.

Snakes 2nd Gangster: [wide eyed] All right, Johnny, I'm sorry. I'm goin'.

Johnny 1st Gangster: One, two, ten

Johnny 1st Gangster: [starts unloading bullets into snakes while he laughs]

Johnny 1st Gangster: Keep the change you filthy animal.

3. A Christmas Carol

Year Released: 1938, 1951, 1984, 1992, 1999, 2009

Director: Edwin Marin, Brian Desmond Hurst, Clive Donner Brian Henson, Robert Zemeckis

Actors: (As Scoorge) Reginald Owen, Alastair Sim, George C. Scott, Patrick Stewart Jim Carrey

Setting: 1800s Britain 

Significance: It is perhaps one of the most famous and redone Christmas tales, written by Charles Dickens. I have seen so many different versions over the years and can say I always enjoy the story and it's different adaptations. It revolves around the infamous character Ebeneezer Scrooge and his extreme lack of Christmas spirit. On Christmas Eve he is visited by three Christmas ghosts from his past, present, and future who convince him to change his ways. After these visits, Scrooge makes an extreme change to share merriness with his nephew and his employee Crotchet. Some of my favorite versions of this story include the 1984 version with George C. Scott, the 1992 Muppets version, the 1999 version with Patrick Stewart, and the original version with Reginald Owen. This story is not so much about Santa Clause and fairy-tales yet rather about the Christmas spirit and doing good onto others. 

Famous Quotes:

Scrooge: "Bah-Humbug"

Tiny Tim: "God Bless all of us, each and everyone of us!"

2. Jingle All the Way

Year Released: 1996

Director: Brian Levant

Actors: Arnold Schwarzenegger

Setting: Minneapolis 

Significance: Along with Home Alone this was one of my all-time childhood favorite Christmas films. My brother and I would quote so many of the memorable lines from Arnold Schwarzenegger. It is quite an original Christmas story about a dad trying to buy a gift for his son on Christmas Eve. It's loaded with a theme of today's Christmas culture, which is heavy on materialism and shopping. Yet it's a good-natured comedy as Schwarzenegger desperately sweeps the city of Minneapolis for the very popular Turbo Man action figure. The film is full of surprises and so many funny moments carried by Arnold Schwarzenegger's terrible acting. I would say this would be my all time favorite Christmas movie in general for many years now until just recently.  

Famous Quotes:

Turbo Man: "Its TURBO TIME!"

Howard Langston: "I'm not a pervert! I was just looking for a Turbo Man doll"

1. It's a Wonderful Life

Year Released: 1946

Director: Frank Capra

Actors: James Stewart, Donna Reed

Setting: 1940s Suburbia

Significance: It is a classic film that has become a traditional part of the Christmas season. Funny thing about this movie, is that it doesn't overdue it with the Christmas Setting. It's rather a story about life and love and family and being grateful for what you have. It's these things that make up the essence of the Christmas spirit which are portrayed masterfully in this story. The film actually does finish with a strong dose of a Christmas setting, carols, and cheer. It has become my new all time favorite Christmas movie, of which I hope to watch with family for many Christmases to come.  

Famous Quotes: 

George Bailey: Merry Christmas, movie house! Merry Christmas, Emporium! Merry Christmas, you wonderful old Building and Loan!

Clarence: You see George, you've really had a wonderful life. Don't you see what a mistake it would be to just throw it away?

George Bailey: What is it you want, Mary? What do you want? You want the moon? Just say the word and I'll throw a lasso around it and pull it down. Hey. That's a pretty good idea. I'll give you the moon, Mary.

Mary Hatch Bailey: I'll take it. Then what?

George Bailey: Well, then you can swallow it, and it'll all dissolve, see... and the moonbeams would shoot out of your fingers and your toes and the ends of your hair... am I talking too much?

Movie Masterpiece: It's a Wonderful Life

I first remember watching the grand finale of Its a Wonderful Life at my grandma's house in Battle Creek, Michigan when I was just a kid. I remember it was Christmas time and my cousins and uncles and aunts were all at my grandma's house and it was always such a fun time. And in the living room the adults were watching this very old movie in black and white. I of course wasn't watching the film, yet rather playing toys with my cousin. However I distinctively remember the grand finale where James Stewart merrily welcomes the entire town into his house and they begin singing Christmas carols. From then on I had known of this classic film that was associated with the Christmas season.

It actually wasn't until a few years ago that I watched this movie in it's entirety for my first time. Once again I was at Michigan, this time with my brother Andres, Aunt Laurie, and cousin Jennifer. I was excited to finally watch this classic from beginning to end, and remember feeling quite satisfied with the film's legacy.

Well this past week I once again watched the movie, twice, with my dad during the Christmas season. We both were quite enthralled with the story, the characters, and the overall film. I now feel I have a greater understanding and appreciation of this classic film. I would even go as far as calling this film one of my new all time favorite Christmas movies and even further by considering it a movie masterpiece in general.

A Christmas Classic

While this film is associated as a Christmas classic, the story hardly is about Christmas. It's about a young business man who undergoes many hardships throughout his life and needs an angel to show him his significance. It is actually not until the end of the movie that we get our first dose of Christmas. The setting of Christmas plays a vital part towards this memorable finale in which the main character realizes that it is a wonderful life indeed. I would argue that it's because of this happy ending set during Christmas, that makes this film such a Christmas classic.

The Premise

The story begins with a group of stars, which happen to be angels, discussing that there is a person in need of dire help. The angels agree this would be the perfect chance for Clarence, played by Henry Travers, to get his wings by helping someone. That someone happens to be George Bailey, played by James Stewart. As a kid George is very righteous; he saves his young brother from falling in the ice, he works for a pharmacist and fixes an error that saves another life, and he defends his father's honor from the ruthless businessman Mr. Potter.

As a teenager George is eager not to partake in his father's business yet rather to leave Bedford Falls so he can travel the world and become an architect. He makes this abundantly clear when he begins to fall for Mary Hatch, played by Donna Reed. Before George can set off from Bedford Falls, his plans are abruptly altered when his father dies. He has no choice but to join his uncle in managing the family bank. In his stead he sends his brother Harry off to college in hopes that he will later take his place managing the bank.

Four years later, Harry returns from college with a new wife and a new job offer in Buffalo. Realizing that he cannot leave his family business George hesitantly reunites with Mary, and agrees to marry her. However during their honeymoon another crisis unfolds, and they must use up all their savings to pay off a loan from Mr. Potter.

As the years go one George and Mary have children and watch their bank thrive. At one point George even considers selling his bank to Mr. Potter, in hopes that he can finally travel and leave Bedford Falls. However he changes his mind when he shakes hands with Mr. Potter and sees thru his ruthless plight. Each of the characters play a role in WW2, most notably George's brother Harry, who receives the Medal of Honor.

On Christmas Eve the town of Bedford Falls prepares a hero's welcome for Harry Bailey. However on this day George's foolish uncle misplaces an $8000 loan, mistakenly handing it to Mr. Potter. This drives George into a mad panic realizing that his business, his job, and his life revolve around that loan. He flips out on his wife Mary, and his children, and in a desperate act begs his arch enemy Mr. Potter for some money. Mr. Potter convinces George he is worth more dead, which sends George to a night drinking binge.

As the snow falls on Christmas Eve, George drinks heavily at a bar, gets into a fight, crashes his car into a tree, and approaches a bridge ready to take his life. At this point the angels hear Mary's prayers, and Clarence is called into action. Clarence jumps into the river causing George to jump in after him and save his life. Clarence then explains to George that he is an angel there to help him thru his struggles. George however brushes Clarence off and tells him he'd be better off had he not been born. At that point Clarence uses his magic to show George a world in which he had never been born.

George quickly realizes that things are different; for example the town is no longer called Bedford Falls yet rather Potterville. And nobody remembers George, not the bartender, not the taxi driver, not the police men, not even his mother, nor his wife Mary. At that point George realizes that he was wrong to wish that he'd never been born and that he actually doesn't have it as bad as he thought. The angel Clarence thus reverses the spell and takes things back to normal.

At this point the movie reaches it's grand finale, where George displays great jubilation. He runs thru the streets wishing Merry Christmas to all, and is so happy to be reunited with his children and wife. Things get even better when he realizes his wife, Mary, has asked the town to come together in helping pay off the $8000 loan that was lost. This makes for an extremely happy ending as the entire town comes into the Bailey household to share money and sing Christmas carols. Harry also arrives just in time for the holidays to partake in the jubilant festivities. At the end we hear a bell ring from the Christmas tree, and George states that every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings, referring to his guardian angel, Clarence.   

The Films Legacy

The film was based on a 1939 story The Greatest Gift by Philip Van Doren Stern. The story was produced and released as a film in 1946, directed by Frank Capra. Capra was already well regarded for his Oscar worthy films of Lady for a Day, It Happened One Night, Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, You Can't Take it With You, and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. The star actor of the film was another highly regarded name in Hollywood, James Stewart, known for his Oscar worthy performances in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and The Philadelphia Story.

The film went on to receive instant critical acclaim, nominated for five Oscars, for it's story, it's film direction, it's acting, and it's general setting. It's a setting infused with the American dream and the Christmas spirit. It is such an original story that has survived the test of time and still plays a relevant part in today's popular culture. It is for this reason that the film has gone on to become a Christmas classic and considered by many critics as one of the greatest films of all time. 

Movie Review: The Last Jedi

A couple days ago I saw the new Star Wars film, The Last Jedi, and have had some time to consider
my opinion before writing on it. My general review of the film is that it was okay and satisfactory for a Star Wars film. As an avid fan since I was kid, I don't think this film quite measured to The Force Awakens and definitely not the older episodes. Perhaps it's the characters or the story that just doesn't live up to my high expectations for a Star Wars film. I felt this story was lacking in excitement, romance, comedy, and drama. That being said there were a few moments of sheer surprise which is why I would say this movie is not all so bad. 


The Production


It's clear to me now that Disney has moved in a completely different direction that Lucas had. I feel it is more childish then before and the villains are less convincing. The film is also quite groundbreaking to have a cast so diverse for such a major blockbuster. Consider the 3 lead heroes are a woman, a black person, and a white person compared to the original films where the 3 main heroes were all white. I am all for this idea of diverse empowerment as long as the characters and story are convincing.

The Setting

The story begins with the New Order in complete control of the galaxy and the Resistance trying to escape them. Finn and Poe join General Leia Organa in an effort to slip pass a fleet of star destroyers. Meanwhile Rey has sought out Luke Skywalker to be trained as a jedi. Luke is bitter towards himself and the jedi arts after failing Kylo Ren however eventually agrees to train Rey. Rey displays an unusual natural strength of the force and is able to communicate with Kyle Ren thru visions. Kylo Ren is eager to show Supreme Leader Snoke his commitment to the dark side.

General Hux of the New Order is able to relocate the escaping Resistance fleet thru light speed. Leia realizes that the New Order has tracked them and they will not be able to escape this time. In the ensuing battle her command center is bombed and she miraculously survives while Admiral Ackbar and the other rebel commanders are killed. Vice Admiral Holdo is made in charge of the fleeing rebel cruiser while Leia recovers. Her plan is to continue onward, out of enemy fire range, while their fuel is diminishing. 

Poe on the other hand does not trust Holdo's defeatist plan and conspires his own plan with Finn. With the help of a rebel janitor named Rose Tico, they plan to enlist an encoder to break the New Order's tracking device. Rose, Finn, and BB8 are able to fly to the planet Canto Bight where they meet a hacker named DJ. They then are able to sneak onto Snoke's ship however are quickly captured by Captain Phasma. Meanwhile Poe leads a mutiny on the rebel cruiser to oust Admiral Holdo, however his plan is quickly crushed when Leia stuns him. She later shares that their plan has been to take refuge at a space station all along.

As all this is happening Rey also arrives on Snokes ship to confront Kylo Ren, whom she believes she can turn to the light side. Snoke however tells her he has deceived her with these visions in an effort to convince her to join or die. Rey refuses to join her and is tortured by Snoke. Kylo Ren comes to her rescue and surprisingly kills Snoke. At that point he asks Rey to join him to rule the galaxy but Rey refuses and they part ways. Kylo Ren assumes the role as the new Supreme leader of the New Order.

Finn and Rose are rescued by BB8 and Finn is able to defeat Captain Phasma and escape the New Order ship. They rejoin the resistance crusher as it approaches the space station of Crait. At this point Leia and the others begin boarding transport ships while Admiral Holdo stays back on the cruiser. However General Hux and Kylo Ren realize the rebels are escaping again and begin picking them off like sitting ducks. In the ultimate sacrifice, Admiral Holdo turns the cruiser towards the New Order ship and blasts off into light speed, slicing the cruiser in two. The rebels are able to escape and land on Crait.

However the Resistance has only bought some time, as General Hux begins landing his troops to attack the base. Finn, Poe, and Rose courageously mount a counter attack on the imperial walkers while Rey and Chewbacca come to their aid in the millennium falcon. However they still are no match for the weaponry of the New Order. That is until Luke Skywalker arrives at the base to face Kylo Ren. Luke meets with Leia for a while before he steps out to face the New Order head on. This is definitely the high point of the film, where the drama finally reaches Star Wars quality.

Kylo Ren displays total rage and madness to defeat Luke, who is able to withstand a shower of imperial firepower. Then comes the lightsaber fight we've all been waiting for, which turns to be the ultimate twist. As Kylo strikes his saber thru Luke, nothing happens. It is then that we realize that all along Luke was displaying a ghost of himself from his home at Ahch-To. This act served as the ultimate distraction to allow the resistance fighters to escape with Rey in the Millenium Falcon. Luke's final act takes every ounce of power he has, and he dies back at his home in Ahch-To. The Resistance are able to regroup and thus brings an end to the film.


The New Characters

Rey: (Daisey Ridley) She is the main protagonist of the film the young eager and courageous hero driven by a desire to do good. She is able to help restore Luke's faith as well as confront Kylo Ren. Her ultimate mission is to discover who her parents were.

Kylo Ren: (Adam Driver) He is the main antagonist, an unusual and conflicted villain. He is eager to show Snoke his commitment to the dark side yet has an empathy towards Rey.

Finn: (John Boyega) He is soldier driven by his love for Rey, he finds himself in the midst of the Resistance. He agrees to help his pal, Poe, enlist an encoder, and save the Resistance. Towards the end he displays great heroism in facing the enemy

Poe Dameron: (Oscar Isaac) He is the heroic hotshot pilot of the Resistance, always eager to face the enemy head on. In an effort to do good, he attempts to oust the Resistance leadership yet is put back in his place. This had to have been somewhat of a diminishing role for Oscar Isaac 

Supreme Leader Snoke: (Andy Serkis) He is the mysterious dark lord and leader of the New Order with ultimate powers. He is perhaps as wicked and powerful as the Emperor was. My problem with Snoke is that we never find out his origins of how he and the New Order come to power

Rose Tico: (Kelly Marie Tran) She is a new addition to the film's heroes as she plays a young rebel janitor. She helps Finn on a rebel mission and develops feelings for him along the way

Admiral Holdo: (Laura Dern) She is the ultimate feminist symbol, a strong confident female leader. She takes Leia's place as commander of the Resistance while Leia recovers from her injuries. She displays calm demeanor, leadership, and makes the ultimate heroic sacrifice at the end

DJ: (Benecio Del Toro) He is the sneaky codebreaker who helps Finn and Rose break into Snoke's ship. He however later turns on them for money and tells them he can never tell the good guys from the bad guys when there is money involved.

BB8: He is the companion of Poe Dameron and helps Finn and Rose on their adventure thru Canton Bight and escape from Snokes ship

General Hux: (Domhall Gleeson) He is the military commander of the New Order, faithful to the Supreme Leader Snoke and bitter towards Kylo Ren. He eventually shows loyalty however when Kylo Ren comes to power

The Old Characters:

Luke Skywalker: (Mark Hamill) He plays the ultimate bitter role in this story, somewhat of a merge between Obi-Wan's hermit lifestyle and Yoda's dry sense of humor. However he still proves to be quite useful in teaching Rey valuable lessons of the Force. He also has one of the best moments in the film when he faces the New Order and Kylo Ren

Leia Organa: (Carrie Fisher) She continues as the stubborn yet hopeful leader of the Resistance. I thought she would die in this film, consider Carrie Fisher had died, yet rather she survived an attack thru her use of the Force. Her leadership was a foundation for the films good guys.

Chewbacca: (Joonas Suotamo) His role is somewhat minimal in the film, merely as Rey's escort and pilot of the Millennium Falcon.

R2D2: Travels with Chewie on the Millenium Falcon and is able to convince Luke to train Rey

C-3P0: Serves as Leia's assistant and provides his usual pessimistic and witty humor 

Yoda: Appears to Luke in his ghost form, and very similiar to the form he took in Return of the Jedi, rather than his CGI appearance in the prequels. He offers Luke council in regards to the end of the Jedi religion