Essential entry in to the Star Wars canon

Rating: 9/10 (15 December 2016)

I've been a Star Wars fan since the original ANH, and in the years since kept up to date through the prequels, Timothy Zahn's Thrawn trilogy (and a host of other novels of varying quality), both Clone Wars animated series, the Rebels TV show and even the long-since-defunct West End Games' Star Wars RPG.
This is relevant because I believe this to be the SW film that people of my generation have been waiting for. It's very much SW for adults in so much as the characters are often morally ambiguous and it certainly pulls no punches when dealing with their fates. Do not venture in to the cinema expecting an ANH type-ending.
I was immediately hooked from the get-go. The imagery in this film is utterly stunning throughout. The biomes visited often bring something new to the lore (the presumably-perpetually raining) skies of Eadu and the lush tropical beaches of Scarif couldn't provide a greater contrast to each other.
Given that this is still a SW film and we perhaps shouldn't expect Branagh-like performances, I applaud the entirety of the cast for the jobs they've delivered. Diego Luna particularly stood out for me, along with the ever-excellent Ben Mendelsohn as the increasingly-ruffled Krennic. it seems as though most of the dubious dialogue witnessed in the trailers ended up on the cutting room floor.
The pacing (for me) was excellent. There is a clear build-up from the first act's team-assembling activities through to the skirmish on Eadu and the (limited) bickering between the Rebels on Yavin IV before finally we reach a crescendo with the mind-blowing action of act III. And what action! The space battle alone is better than anything since RoTJ - even more so because it includes our old friends red leader and gold leader from ANH. Plus there is an amusing little cameo from a hapless Rebel which explains why Luke inherited the callsign red-5. The ground based action is brutal, fast-paced, jaw-dropping and at times moving. let there be no doubt that this really is a Star WARS film. Oh, and there's Vader doing what Vader does best.
The score was competent, although I do personally think that Williams was missed. He's been part of SW for so long, that you instinctively know when he's not involved!
I can honestly say I left the cinema numb. I realised immediately that I had just seen the SW film I've been yearning for since 1983. Anyone worried about the property being 'Disney-fied' need not. It's about as dark as SW has ever been (ESB notwithstanding).
Watch it.