Well crafted story, well portrayed on screen

Rating: 10/10 (23 April 2017)

So, this isn't your parents' Star Wars. The first movie I ever saw in theaters was Episode 4, A New Hope. It was 1977 and I was at the ripe old age of 5. This event forever created in me a passion for the franchise.
I preface this review with that statement for a reason. I had to watch this movie twice to really get the story. Not for anything done wrong on the part of those who made the movie, but more because I had gotten very use to seeing a certain set of characters in Star Wars movies to this point.
This movie is well written and works within the boundaries set with the previous movies to maintain continuity, but with a whole different set of characters. It's like taking your favorite sitcom and making it from the neighbors' point of view. This is not a bad thing, but if you walk in expecting the usual, you will be disappointed. Go in expecting to see a 'fleshing out' of the Star Wars Universe, as it were, and you will be satisfied if not happy.
After two viewings, this is definitely heading for my collection and will be viewed more times until I can recite lines from it as well as I can from the rest of the collection (I have destroyed VHS tapes by how often they get watched, digital is my savior).
Overall, two thumbs up, ten stars, standing ovation and whatever else you want to toss in there for good measure. I liked it, then I loved it. Go watch it now!!