So nostalgic... it made me feel like I was a kid again.

Rating: 10/10 (18 December 2016)

**CONTAINS SPOILERS**
Simply put, If you're a Star Wars fan then you will undoubtedly love this film, from it's story, to the characters and great acting, new settings and the many soon to be considered classic scenes.
So what if you're not a Star Wars fan? Well... the chances are that you're going to enjoy this film anyway as it's well put together, fun, has great acting and a story that anyone can relate to.
This is therefore a must see for anybody and everybody and if you haven't already seen it - please just stop reading these reviews now (including mine) and go and make plans to see this film now!
I grew up surrounded by the original trilogy and this film took my right back to my childhood days and made me feel like I was a kid once again. Well at least for an hour anyway but even days after seeing this film (I viewed Thursday afternoon) I'm still smiling on the inside. It's like I'm in a daze.
Everything from the space battles and the original design Stormtroopers to seeing Vader in action once again just made this film so cool and also so retro. This is possibly now my second favourite Star Wars film although I just need to go and see it again just to check and be 100% sure of that.
It also has to be said that aside from a certain scene and lightsaber battle in Bespin I never expected or thought a Star Wars film could make me feel that emotional. This is especially worthy of note given that it was obvious from when the first details of this film emerged well over a year ago that none of these characters could survive in order for everything to fit in with Episodes 4-6.
Yet despite fully being aware of this, when they became trapped on the surface and it became clear they wouldn't get out - I felt a sense of loss as so many great characters had been sacrificed.
Everyone that perished from the Blue Squadron X-Wing fighter pilots to the many Rebels fleeing Vader while desperately attempting to keep possession of the Death Star plans . It could have never been foreseen that the scale of sacrifice had been this great to obtain and keep hold of the plans.
Fan service moments are littered throughout and while a few were not at all needed there were some that made the film even more special such as the digitally added in Red and Gold leaders from 'A New Hope'. This made the film tie in even better and made it that little bit more special.
The scene right at the end will surely now go down as one of the greatest ever Star Wars moments, from the look of horror and desperation on the Rebel fighters faces to Vader using the full force of the dark side on them. This scene has reinforced why Darth Vader is the ultimate movie villain.
On my way out of the cinema I saw a dad coming in with his young boy complete with Star Wars jumper and I wondered what impression the loss of K-2SO (who was brilliant) or Vader at his most evil would leave on him. I suspect he would be sad but also in awe cementing his fandom for life.
This is a 9/10 for me with a slight mark down due to minor gripes with imperfect CGI faces of Tarkin and Leia along with a little unneeded fan service - do we really need to see R2 and C-3PO?
Please take note of this and get the CGI fixed (particularly Leia or just cut her out) before this goes on mass release on DVD / Blu-Ray / 4K - Gareth & Disney.
Gareth Edwards - thank you.
P.S. Godzilla was still awful.