An intriguing bridge between the Prequels and Original Trilogy

Rating: 10/10 (19 December 2015)

I am going to point out first that this film does have a few flaws. But no movie is perfect. J.J. Abrams and Lucasfilm have created a love letter to all the Star Wars fans especially those who loved the Original Trilogy. I would like to point a few positives than I will explain the negatives.
First I really loved the main characters, especially our new generation heroes. Rey & Finn definitely carry the heroic and emotional weight of the film. It was like looking at the awe and wonder of the Star Wars galaxy for the first time through their eyes. Boyega really shines as Finn. Playing a stormtrooper who develops a conscious and rebels against the First Order. He was funny and really played up the idea of an reluctant soldier being in over his head. Next, Rey is the mystery girl who seems to be waiting to leave her life of scavenging but gets thrust into an adventure when a mysterious droid, BB-8 shows up in her life and a on the run Finn crosses her path. Boyega and Redley have a great chemistry on screen and bounce the humor and dialogue back and forth perfectly. Finally, I love what J.J. Abrams did with our new sith lord Kylo Ren, who even after his identity is reveal remains mysterious and a troubled baddie the likes of which we have never seen in the Star Wars universe. I agree with one reviewer he was what fans expected Anakin to be in the Prequels, sorry George. The special effects were top notch especially the mix of practical and CGI effects. I mean the spaceship battles were spectacular. The old cast were great but I must say Harrison Ford's portrayal of Han Solo is what really shines here. He gave old school fans one last ride with the smuggler. There was just an amazing connection between him the new characters. There are times your eyes water with nostalgic memories. The resistance Poe had great screen presence as well. He was really a likable character and I wanted to see more of him. Which leads to my few negatives. There were a lot a characters we just did not get to see more screen time with but hopefully this will change in the next film. Capt. Phasma and Poe were the two I wish got more screen time. Next is the pace of the film moves extremely fast which gives it the New Hope comparison though I wish it slowed down a few moments. In closing the film was amazing and just ups the ante for the sequel in 2017.