We look at how BB-8 steals the show and our hearts in Star Wars: The Force Awakens…
This article contains lots of spoilers for Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Wed advise you not to scroll past our Force-sensitive spoiler squirrel until youve seen the film…
Understandably, there was a bit of scepticism circulating prior to theStar Wars: The Force Awakens release.
But, after a couple of minutes spent watching BB-8 in action, I was utterly convinced.
To misquote Luke Skywalker, Ive never seen such emotion in a droid before.
The elegant simplicity of BB-8s design gives him a surprising amount of emotion-presenting movements.
In about five seconds, hes shown us both nervous fear and morbid intrigue.
This, you could argue, is BB-8 showing hope.
Or, at least, giddy excitement.
These three examples show us just how much emotionality BB-8 brings to the movie.
And, weve not even mentioned one of his most enjoyable traits yet…
In both screenings that Ive been to, BB-8 gets the biggest laugh of the entire movie.
Unsure whether to comply, BB-8 speedily glances between Rey and Finn, which gets a decent chortle.
Seconds later, though, both audiences Ive sat with erupted into massive guffaws.
Its unexpected, imaginative and simply put a ruddy good gag.
Thats got to say something about BB-8s wondrous comic capabilities.
BB-8 has something of a silent comedy star about him at times, doesnt he?
The cinema goes dark.
John Williams score blares beautifully as that big yellow title magically appears.
If C-3P0 were here, hed surely exclaim that were doomed.
But, this time, its down to a BB-8 to tell us how it is.
Were taken down to Jakku, and a silent mostly-ball-shaped droid peers up to the sky.
Weve seen him in the advertising, but might be a little surprised to meet him so soon.
For a second he does nothing.
Is he trying to process what hes seeing, or is he frozen with fright?
Quite possibly, its a bit of both.
He rushes back to tell his master, but the two are soon separated.
The fate of the galaxy ends up nestling in his rusty innards in a space-USB-stick.
Little does Rey know, but shes just met her destiny.
Its simple, its beautiful, and perhaps most importantly its recognisable, undeniableStar Wars.
Soon, another interaction between Rey and BB-8 gives the latter my favourite character-building moment of the movie.
As Rey reluctantly agrees to help him, he beeps something to her.
Theres a bit of a pause, before she eventually retorts youre welcome.
Or, rather, hidden in his little compartment hatches.
Isnt this whatStar Warswas always meant to be about?
Seemingly unimportant characters being burdened with great destiny.
Outcasts uniting against evil, but finding time to bicker and laugh along the way.
