The force awakens

[goldent]

2. I wasn't comparing it to existing religions so much as to comparing it

to religious concepts in general. Although I have to say I think with Christianity there is some sense of the power of the "dark side" i.e. that the devil has a certain power over people.

As you mention, there is no sense of a God - it is not clear what is the origin of the force. And also I think the force is pretty obvious at least in some cases - if you were an observer you would clearly say there is something supernatural occurring.

I imagine things like the force are attractive to authors as it gives them something very flexible to work with. I think they also use it to play on the audience's sense of religion and spirituality. I know there was an episode of the original Star Trek serious that did that very directly.

BTW, the conversation between Rey and Hans was that Hans was the old guy who observed first-hand the force "in action" whereas Rey was the young girl who had heard stories about it, but was didn't know whether it was true. Based on the set-up in #7, I think #8 will be pretty good - I might even go see it. As the grand finale, I think #9 is doomed.