History Heartwarming / TheForceAwakens

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/nekdbvkrzkrqoo_1_b.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:350:"You know, no matter how much we fought...I always hated watching you leave."]]

* In an odd way, Rey off-handedly describing the Millenium Falcon as "garbage." The Falcon is a piece of crap, but it's OUR piece of crap. It has been since the beginning (what a piece of junk!). We wouldn't have it any other way.
* When Poe tells Lor San Tekka that General Leia will be grateful for the piece of the map to Luke's whereabouts, Tekka, an old friend of the family says "General? To me she's royalty."

** Fans started quoting this line en masse when Carrie Fisher passed away a year later.
* Poe surprisingly warms up almost immediately to a stormtrooper helping him escape.
** He asks him for his name and refuses to call him by the number he was designated with, referring to FN-2187 as "Finn" instead. He also asks if this is okay before really using it. The way Finn's face lights up upon being given a human name is utterly adorable, and he goes on to proudly call himself that for the rest of the movie.
*** This becomes more heartwarming (and a bit of a tearjerker) when you find out that First Order troopers tend to nickname each other and FN-2187 never had a nickname before because he never fit in.

* Poe's AngstWhatAngst attitude, despite everything that happens to him in the course of the film. This is General Leia's "most daring pilot", after all.
* How much of this film was driven by simple acts of kindness and compassion, rather than any grand ideals. Both protagonists' "character development" is driven by those acts of kindness helping them overcome their fears and doubts and join the fight. In fact, Finn and Rey baulk at the idea and run when Maz tries to recruit them to fight the First Order/Dark Side for the abstract concept of 'good'.
* The movie goes to show how hard Rey has to work for her food every single day. Then she is offered more food than she's ever seen in her life in exchange for a droid she just met, and she tells him "The droid is not for sale."

* The moment Finn sees Rey - a total stranger - in possible peril, he immediately runs to her and tries to help before she takes cares of things herself. He wasn't (entirely) lying when he told Poe that rescuing him was "the right thing to do".
* The fact that one of the first things Finn did when he heard/saw the TIE fighters on their way to blow things up was grab Rey's hand and try and pull her away from danger. Mere hours after his HeelFaceTurn and he continues to show that he is capable of selflessness.
* Right after waking up from being knocked out by one of the TIE Fighter blasts, Finn's FIRST reaction is to ask Rey, "Are you okay?" Rey's expression of great surprise says it all. It's emphasized more in the novels, where Rey inwardly notes that she couldn't remember anyone asking her that question before.
* Moments after Finn and Rey take out the TIE fighters chasing them, they start excitedly gushing about the other's shooting/piloting skills, and in the novel even [[ShipTease wonder why they're just standing there staring at each other]].

* The moment when Han steps into the cockpit of the ''Falcon'', gives a big smile and rest his hands on the seats proudly, clearly feeling absolutely wonderful to be back at the helm of the ship once again, can put a smile on everyone's face.

* Rey's [[TheKnightsWhoSaySquee awe]] at hearing that Luke Skywalker is real and at getting to meet Han Solo. Despite all the bad things that happened to them since ''Return of the Jedi'', their heroism in the original trilogy was never forgotten, and has even inspired a new generation of heroes.
** Even better, it is Han Solo who speaks of Luke and Leia. At the beginning of the Original Trilogy, Han was a cynic who only lived by the maxim of getting money from his jobs. More than thirty years later, not only does he speak of the past with reverence, he even makes it clear that the Force (which he had derided as tales back in ''A New Hope'') is something he believes in.
--->"I used to wonder about that myself. I thought it was a bunch of mumbo-jumbo. A magical power holding together good and evil, the dark side and light? The crazy thing is... it's true. The Force. The Jedi. ''All of it.'' It's all true."
* In a very perverse way Kylo Ren's worship of Darth Vader is this. Anakin Skywalker spent his whole life wanting to be loved, and now, three decades after his death, someone who never even met him still ''does'', his own grandson no less! Unfortunately for the Galaxy at large, it's for all the wrong reasons...

-->'''Rey:''' ''(in utter disbelief)'' ...Are you offering me a '''job'''?!
** Also some Fridge Brilliance, He also told another naive youth he just met that he could come with them, because he'd be useful after seeing them in action: Luke.

-->'''Obi-Wan''': Rey... ''these are the first steps.''

* Poe and Finn's reaction upon finding each other alive is to give each other a great big hug. Finn then tries to return Poe's jacket, only for Poe to graciously let him keep it, even saying it suits him. The novel explains that Poe's had the jacket a long time and is very fond of it, which makes his actions even more generous.

* When Finn asks Poe for a favor, he doesn't hesitate. He's already passed the word that this former stormtrooper saved his life, and uses his influence as the Resistance's finest pilot to let Finn meet the most important person in the room: General Leia herself. They'd only known each other for what was ''less'' than a day, but Poe clearly appears to be the kind of man who makes sure his debts are paid back in full.

* After Rey is kidnapped by Kylo Ren, Finn's every action is made with a view to getting her back, no matter what. Even if it includes lying to the Resistance, he will do all he can to save one of his first friends.
* BB-8 going to check on Rey when she flees into the Takodana forest in horror at the Force Vision and the seemingly impossible choice between a hopeless life on Jakku and a potentially horrifying life as a Jedi. Especially since the act of kindness gets her back involved and she shortly after takes on the First Order and Kylo Ren to protect him.
* Finn's smile when he sees that Rey got away from Kylo Ren, and their tight embrace when she finds out it was all Finn's idea to come rescue her, which would have gone on longer if Han hadn't interrupted. In the novel, this realization even [[TenderTears drives her to tears]], and it goes up to eleven in the script.
-->'''Finn''': We came back for you.\\
[''She is speechless -- this is all she's ever wanted ANYONE to do.'']

* Both Finn and Rey desperately fighting against Kylo Ren in a lightsaber duel when the other gets hurt. They both fight to defend the other when they're down. Finn even ''turns his back'' on Ren first to check on her, and she throws herself on his wounded body and cries.
** In that last scene the planet is basically exploding all around them, and rather than try to potentially save herself, Rey just goes to Finn's unconscious body (that she can't move alone), holds him and prepares to die together with him. Thankfully Chewie saves them.
* Basically every interaction between Finn and Rey in the movie. They obviously bond and grow closer through each experience, expressing great concern for each other and making a nigh unstoppable team. Should they [[RelationshipUpgrade become something more in the future,]] the friendship they built in this movie would make it all the sweeter.

** Amidst their awkward but still caring interactions, Chewie walks up to Leia and the two embrace in the biggest hug. Chewie stuck with Han through thick and thin as Han avoided Leia, but the Wookiee and the general have no ill will between them and it's Wookie!Glomps galore!

* The fact that Kylo Ren is really named Ben. Since Leia only knew Obi-Wan by his real name you have to assume it was Han's idea. Just goes to show that underneath the sarcastic jabs, he really did like that old man. Old Ben was the man who got Han to take on the job that would lead to him meeting his future wife and set him on a path to find a cause greater than just himself. He may not have agreed with a lot of his ideas and took jabs at him whenever possible, but he never forgot him and honoured him in his own way.

** When Leia recounts Ben's start of darkness, she explicitly says it was similar to Anakin's, suggesting that she's accepted her father's [[RedemptionEqualsDeath redemption]] and the truth about the good man he was.
* At the end Rey takes off to find Luke now that the map has finally been completed, but just before she goes, she stops by Finn - still out cold and recovering from being badly wounded by Kylo Ren - and assures him that she'll come back before tenderly kissing his forehead. After having been abandoned for so long with no explanation, good-bye, or anything for consolation, she wasn't about to leave the ''only'' person who ever came back for her when it mattered without the promise of them meeting again.
** Similarly the last shot we see of Poe is him running after the unconscious Finn as he's taken to medical. No matter what, Finn will have a friend to support him when he wakes up. Totally heartwarming for a stormtrooper who only a few days before didn't have anyone who cared about him.
* When Rey returns to the Resistance base after escaping Kylo Ren and witnessing Han's death, the only person in the chaos who heads straight for her is General Leia Organa, who has just felt her husband die. Even though Leia's own grief and despair, she embraces a young, frightened girl she's only just met.
* Even though fans were upset that the two closest people in Han's life(Leia and Chewbacca) didn't hug after he died, Abrams gave a reasonable explanation that Chewie was busy making sure a critically injured Finn got medical attention right away.
* When Artoo finally wakes up, C-3PO is there to quietly tell him "Oh my dear friend, how I've missed you.", You will believe that a robot can make you cry.
* Even before that, when we first see Artoo in the film, he's uncovered and music that sounds almost magic-like is in the background. It's subtle but really sweet.

** Also the new found hope that returns in Leia's. She may have lost her son to the dark side and her husband to her son but now she has a chance of reuniting with another one of the most important men in her life, her brother. The little "Luke" she whispers when looking at the map shows that the new trilogy will keep the importance of their relationship.

** This particular moment was chosen for Carrie Fisher's part of the In Memoriam segment at that year's Oscars.
* As Rey and Chewie are preparing to take off, they both exchange a smile signifying a budding friendship between the two. Rey may have lost a father-figure and Chewie may have lost his best friend in the whole galaxy but in the end, Rey has earned a co-pilot and a new friend; and, while Rey will never be able to replace Han, you can tell Chewie is looking forward to sharing many adventures with the young woman. In the novelisation, Chewie even [[AffectionateGestureToTheHead ruffles Rey's hair]].

** A very subtle but very powerful one, when Finn admits he has no idea how to shut down Starkiller Base's shields and just came to save Rey, Han's response is a borderline-outraged "People are ''counting'' on us. ''The '''galaxy''' is counting on us!''" Contrast this with his attitude at the end of ''A New Hope,'' where he just wants to get paid and get gone before the Empire shows up. Even with all the bad things that happened to Han since we last saw him, the CharacterDevelopment he got in the Original Trilogy stuck.

* Finn, in spite of being a mere nameless ''number'' in the First Order but a day ago, is the only one standing between an unconscious Rey and the looming shadow of Kylo Ren. He defiantly draws Anakin's sword, inheriting his courage and warrior's soul, the ''charges'' the dark-swordsman to defend Rey. A mere ''Stormtrooper'' finally regains his humanity and earns the ''courage'' to defy evil-incarnate because of his unbreakable love for his friend.
* In a DeletedScene set when the First Order attacks a Jakku village, FN-2187 finds a villager trying to escape, and he lowers his blaster and allows her to escape. Because of this, she was not a part of the massacre.
** It's also implied that Poe witnessed this, which stops him from shooting FN-2187, aka Finn.
* Leia has a '''''very large and very obvious''''' ring on her finger when everyone returns from Starkiller base. Whatever her problems with Han, she still loves him and, more importantly, ''kept the wedding (or engagement) ring as proof of it.'' Till death do us part be damned - she ''is'' Leia Solo.

* Finn's smile when he sees that Rey got away from Kylo Ren, and their tight embrace when she finds out it was all Finn's idea to come rescue her, which would have gone on longer if Han hadn't interrupted. In the novel, this realization even [[TenderTears drives her to tears]], and it goes UpToEleven in the script.

[[foldercontrol]]

[[folder:The Film]]

* Leia has a '''''very large and very obvious''''' ring on her finger when everyone returns from Starkiller base. Whatever her problems with Han, she still loves him and, more importantly, ''kept the wedding (or engagement) ring as proof of it.'' Till death do us part be damned - she ''is'' Leia Solo.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Meta]]
* Creator/KevinSmith cried TearsOfJoy ''[[TenderTears three times]]'' during his set visit, and noted that experience made him feel like a kid again. Who knew he had it in him?
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NujWjiMFZb4 This video, compiling several reactions to the trailer.]] If you needed ''proof'' that ''Star Wars'' hype is back, look no further.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXa8Bw3aGMQ As mentioned on the main page, D. C. Barns was lucky enough to win the "Force For Change" contest after donating a substantial amount to charity.]] Omaze, who hosted the charity, wanted to do an interview with him asking about his favorite moment. Then, a surprise crew shows up in his room with a banner explaining that he won the contest and will be appearing in the movie. When he discovers this, his entire face lights up and he nearly falls out of his chair in excitement. His response to the original question immediately afterwards makes it even better.
-->'''D. C. Barns:''' So to answer your question, ''this'' is probably my favorite moment.
* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48dGX8zmK4I The "thank you" video for the millions of dollars contributed to the aforementioned charity.]]
* [[https://youtu.be/CTNJ51ghzdY The Comic Con 2015 Reel]], just by how happy everyone seemed to be working on the next ''Star Wars'' film.
-->'''Stormtrooper Extra''': I can die now.
--> '''Simon Pegg''': My whole life has lead to this moment. ''(whispers)'' I'm in heaven.
* For years, Harrison Ford seemed to distance himself from the saga, and many fans felt that he would have no desire to play Han Solo again. But, by his own admission, he felt that it was the right story, and the right crew to put it together, and was eager to sign on. This was a big part of the WinBackTheCrowd process.
* Carrie Fisher seemed to have a deeply dysfunctional love/hate relationship with her most famous role (with an emphasis on hate), however when the project was first pitched to her her immediate reaction was an enthusiastic "I'LL DO IT!"
* [[https://twitter.com/starwars/status/639904145869275137/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw Gwendoline Christie]] and [[https://instagram.com/p/7LS5YmlE_f/ Daisy Ridley]] squeeing over their new toys.
* [[https://instagram.com/p/9CzDvblE6W/?taken-by=daisyridley Daisy Ridley's reaction]] to the trailer. {{Adorkable}} indeed.
-->'''Daisy:''' ''[crying]'' Oh my God, it's ''amazing!''
** Most of the sequel trilogy principal cast members hadn't even been born yet when the original film came out. For their entire lives it's pretty much always been this massive cultural ''thing'', and [[PromotedFanboy you can tell they're absolutely hyped to be a part of it now.]]
* [[https://www.gofundme.com/e1tqh4 The #ForceForDaniel campaign]] ensured that a man dying of cancer, with only two months to live, got to see the movie, thanks to the efforts of social media users and the generosity of people at Lucasfilm. Read how it went [[https://www.yahoo.com/movies/daniel-fleetwood-terminal-cancer-patient-gets-220240212.html here]]. He even got a surprise visit from the people of the 501st. A week after getting to see the movie, Daniel passed away peacefully.
* In a similar vein to the aforementioned Daniel Fleetwood, another fan named Katie Johnson - who also lost her life to cancer - will have homage paid to her in the form of [[http://www.starwarsnewsnet.com/2015/11/r2-kt-to-appear-in-star-wars-the-force-awakens.html R2-KT, the droid dedicated to her memory]]. The droid appears in the background, behind Poe's X-Wing following the battle at Takodana.
* [[http://mashable.com/2015/11/11/peter-mayhew-chewbacca-star-wars-letter/#gWsTv.fljiqC Peter Mayhew's letter to a young fan after his best friend passed away.]]
* The fact that they got Peter Mayhew back to be Chewbacca. Due to the costume, Chewbacca could be played by anyone of sufficient height or a box to stand on. He is voiced by edited recordings of animals, meaning that the actor is almost meaningless. On top of that, Mayhew is 71 and has bad knees. They got him back anyway, because he's ''freaking Chewbacca''...even if someone else had to fill in for him during action scenes.
** And that this someone else is a serious student of the mannerisms and body language Peter Mayhew put into Chewbacca, doing his best to craft a performance indistinguishable from the original actor. And on film, you'd never know the difference. Even the most tiny details of a supporting character like Chewie are SeriousBusiness.
* ''Star Wars'' and Omaze announced a competition to go to the premiere and meet the cast by donating to charity as part of the Force for Change campaign. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o675k-KLDj8 This]] video has Omaze talking to some past donors via webcam...with Harrison Ford showing up to surprise them. Some of the reactions also count as SugarWiki/FunnyMoments.
* Considering that no one thought the original would work at all, and the hate thrown at Prequels, the fact that everyone involved with the project and watching from the outside have complete and total faith in it is remarkable to see.
* [[http://holyhamills.tumblr.com/post/134509828229/mark-hamill-is-inspiring-hes-never-resented-the This little testimonial]] involving Creator/MarkHamill's return to the franchise.
* Both Awesome and Heartwarming, [[https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CWxQhTKUAAArJ3T.jpg this picture]] with [[Film/JurassicWorld Rexie]] [[FriendlyFandoms giving BB-8 a gold medal]] for the record-breaking totals the movie made, hearkening back [[http://i.newsarama.com/images/i/000/150/107/original/PrattRex.jpg to this picture]].
* Whether it was [[http://www.upworthy.com/the-star-wars-facebook-page-just-replied-obviously-and-correctly-to-a-sexist-comment?c=is1 the official Facebook page defending Phasma's lack of a chainmail bikini]] or [[http://www.themarysue.com/j-j-abrams-its-a-boys-thing/ JJ Abrams hoping the film would combat the notion]] that ''Star War'' is only for boys, the fact that the franchise is working so hard to acknowledge and reach out to its female fans has meant a great deal to them, especially [[http://www.ew.com/article/2015/12/22/star-wars-force-awakens-rey mothers excited over a heroine that their daughter could look up to]].
** [[WebVideo/TheAngryJoeShow Angry Joe's]] spoiler-free review of the film (seen [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hipPC2UfYBY here]]) has a small anecdote towards the end where he shares his story of shopping at his local Disney Store. He mentions how great it was to see little girls who had no interest in all the princess merchandise run around the store with Rey action figures while waving lightsabers, as well as seeing little black boys proudly carry their Finn figures while doing the same. Even ''he'' personally notes how awesome it was to see that the title of "Greatest Pilot in the Galaxy" is represented by a Latino actor. You can hear in his voice that the effort to reach out was certainly appreciated.
** [[http://www.themarysue.com/asians-in-tfa-and-representation/ Witness an Asian-American woman gushing about the visibility of Asian extras and supporting characters, and how amazing it felt to see a female Asian X-Wing pilot.]] Her article sums up every minority fan's feelings:
-->This might seem very self-inserting and awkward, but… I felt like I was watching someone who could be me up there on the screen. I was watching an example of the type of character I could be. And that was magic. I don’t know that I’ve ever connected or resonated so much with a character–and she’s not even in a majority of the movie! That’s how powerful that moment was. More than that, seeing and identifying with her felt empowering. That’s how meaningful it was to find someone like myself in something I love so dearly. That’s why representation is important... These great feelings shouldn’t just be the sole privilege and luxury of one group of people. This should be for everybody.
* Mark Hamill decided not to attend a pre-release appearance with the rest of the ''Force Awakens'' cast on ''Series/TheGrahamNortonShow'' meant to support the film. 99% of cases where a star blows off a TV appearance it's because they're moody/hungover/not interested in the film enough to sell it/all of the above. Not so with Hamill -- he skipped ''Norton'' to make a surprise visit to Great Ormond Street Hospital and brighten up the day of the patients, all children who are facing dire diseases. The picture of a child listening to Hamill's chest through a stethoscope is guaranteed to melt any heart. [[https://www.facebook.com/HamillHimself/photos/a.1445222825806846.1073741829.1387651274897335/1512030349126093/?type=3 The galaxy's greatest hero, indeed.]]
* The very first "thank you" credit was dedicated to "The patient and generous families of the cast and crew," acknowledging that for the better part of two years, the cast and crew of the film had to be extremely tight-lipped with ''everybody'', and giving their appreciation to the families and friends who just had to put up with it till December 18.
* Just how relaxed, friendly, and complimentary the members of the cast and crew are towards each other during interviews and public appearances. They always seem like they're having fun and the core cast along with Abrams and Kennedy especially act like one big, happy family.
* Watching the opening ''Star Wars'' crawl and hearing the iconic theme song was absolutely beautiful.
* For [[http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2015/12/21/the_force_awakens_is_the_movie_female_star_wars_fans_deserve.html female fans]] and [[http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/herocomplex/la-et-hc-racist-trolls-boycott-starwarsvii-20151019-htmlstory.html fans of color]], seeing women and [=PoC=] as the heroes of their favorite franchise was an incredibly powerful moment.
* JJ Abrams' regular composer Creator/MichaelGiacchino being perfectly fine with not doing the film, even saying that if he'd been offered the job he would have turned it down, because as long as John Williams is alive no one else should score a ''Star Wars'' film.
** This has become HeartwarmingInHindsight, as he now gets to compose [[Film/RogueOne another Star Wars movie after the first intended composer dropped out...]]
* Not only does Admiral Ackbar return in this film, but his original voice actor, Erik Bauersfeld, returned at the age of 93 (!) to reprise the role. He passed away four months after the film's release.
** Not only that, but the Sullustan pilot seen in several crowd scenes is confirmed to be EnsembleDarkhorse [[http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Nien_Nunb Nien Nunb]], still fighting the good fight after thirty years.
* The filmmakers stated that the Chewie costume wore out faster than they expected. The reason? Every time "Chewie" was on set, everyone wanted to hug him.
** On a related note, remaking the original Chewie costume exactly as it had been done over thirty years ago. And when realizing that the whole thing was hand-knitted wool, the first thought being "there's got to be a better way to do this nowadays," only to realize that the unique way hand-knitted wool moves is integral to the character. Hand-knitted wool it is.
* Hayden Christensen has expressed his support for [[https://gffa.tumblr.com/post/159617864626/finn-is-a-jedi-anakin-approves John Boyega's performance]].
* "Chewie, we're home" doubles as a LeaningOnTheFourthWall. To see that iconic duo back on the big screen, in the ''Millennium Falcon''...Love the film or hate it, just being able to see them back on the ''Falcon'' once more brings tears to the eyes.
[[/folder]]
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* The fact that Kylo Ren is really named Ben. Since Leia only knew Obi-Wan by his real name you have to assume it was Han's idea. Just goes to show that underneath the sarcastic jabs, he really did like that old man. Old Ben was the man who got Han to take on the job that would lead to him meeting his future wife and set him on a path to find a cause greater than just himself. He may not have agreed with a lot of his ideas and took jabs at him whenever possible, but he never forgot him, and honoured him in his own way.

* When Rey returns to the Resistance base after escaping Kylo Ren and witnessing Han's death, the only person in the chaos who heads straight for her is General Leia Organa, who has just felt her husband die. Even through Leia's own grief and despair, she embraces a young, frightened girl she's only just met.

** Just seeing Luke, looking on the mysterious, wise, and regal presence that the anxious farm boy from Tatooine grew up to become.He looks like Obi-Wan when we first meet him. The circle is now complete.

* The fact that they got Peter Mayhew back to be Chewbacca. Due to the costume, Chewbacca could be played by anyone of sufficient height or a box to stand on. He is voiced by edited recordings of animals, meaning that the actor is almost meaningless. On top of that, Mayhew is 71 and has bad knees. They got him back anyway, because he's ''freaking Chewbacca''...even if [[RealityEnsues someone else had to fill in for him during action scenes]].