FINALLY The Force Awakens again. Pure Film Magic.

Rating: 10/10 (27 December 2015)

WARNING: Spoiler Alert.
Firstly let's put to rest some rather quick to judge nonsense floating around even right here on IMDb regarding rehashing, unoriginal, not creative etc.
1. The obvious similarities to Episode IV. Hang on a second, it's not identical in every way. Was Return of The Jedi that different to Episode IV? Not really, there's another death star and a weak point to take it out along with getting rid of a shield generator. Move forward to Episode VII and hang on we have a very different Death Star. This time it requires an entire planet and has to siphon energy from a nearby star. That's new people. It would certainly take a good 30+ years to develop something like that from the days of the Return Of The Jedi and rightfully so. The empire and it's offshoot 'The 1st Order'(another point, why isn't it the 2nd Order? Because it's the 1st Order for the new regime negative reviewers. This is no longer the Empire. The Empire fell with Emperor Palpatine as is blatantly obvious in Episode VI. From the ashes rose a new order, hence the 1st order. What you actually think 'The Empire 2.0' would have resonated with anyone for originality????). Finally on this point. IT'S STAR WARS. If you were starting a new order and had what was left of a once great empire, why on earth wouldn't you build on the technology you already have? All the plans, etc. Also on this point what about Han's smuggling operation and re-capture of his beloved Millennium Falcon?? That was no rehash people. It was new, exciting and brilliant and shame on you for not acknowledging this terrific new Star Wars scene. There's much more but of course negative viewers glaze over and miss all the new things because there too focused on comparing in the first place.
2. Chewbacca and Han appear out of nowhere. This is complete BS. They did not appear out of nowhere and if you had actually bothered to take in the dialogue you would have discovered that Chewy and Han had been tracking the Falcon for some time because it's their baby, there home as Han put it. They even declared they had been tracking it. Sheesh, actually watch and listen before you go nit picking people.
3. Kylo Ren. He's Han's son. He's trying to figure himself out. He's obviously been fed a bunch of lies(like most unfortunates who turn to the dark side) and believes he is right in what he's doing. He wants to live up to his grand fathers legacy. However, he wants to do it in his own way. No doubt he wants to be even stronger than Darth Vader was(which I'm sure anyone will agree, is setting the bar VERY high indeed). What grabbed me with the character was just how far gone he was in terms of his passage to the dark side. I mean the guy kills his own father and shows relief. How evil do you want a character to be? 4. They killed Han Solo boo hoo I hate it and it's all going down hill. Well to this all I can say is I shed tears when one of my favourite characters of all time died. This guy was one of my hero's however I'm glad he went out in style. Why? Well some fans may not be aware of this(although if your a true Star Wars fan where have you been all these years?) but Harrison Ford actually wanted Han to die in the Empire Strikes back. Now he's finally got closure for the character and has wanted it for years. What's even more important about this tragic death is that it was a completely unexpected, original and incredible new addition to Star Wars. Let's be honest, I'm sure I wouldn't have been the only fan that expected Han to be in all 3 of the new sequels.
5. The movie can't tell us anything that has happened in that 30 years. (Do these people ever listen to the movie or just watch the visuals?). Han and Leia do fill us in on some of what's happened in the past as does the lady in the tavern. Also Rey has a flashback which gives us a piece but the movie is ultimately about the here and now, not about the past, which was one of it's main goals.
Alright with those main points addressed, now for all the pluses and a conclusion.
Overall the movie surprised me and as for any cliché's to Episode IV which I've already pointed out above, they actually fit well with Han Solo's character. It even added humor. Han's line"OK, where's the weak point.... 'There's alway's a weak point'". It was great and for all the negative nerferders out there, lighten up and think back to being young again. Star Wars has always been a movie for all ages and above all about family. That's clearly shown in this film and it's an absolute gem. It's beat episodes 1,2 and 3 put together and I can't wait for the sequel.
Thank you Mr Lawrence Kasdan for coming back. Many people are praising JJ Abrams for his writing, but as a long time Star Wars fan, I know Lawrence Kasdan when I see it. He's the man that made 'The Empire Strikes Back' and 'Return Of The Jedi' the mind blowing films they were and thanks to this man, my praise and admiration go out for allowing this fan what he's always wanted. A continuation to the original Star Wars trilogy with all the original cast back. Finally the force is awakening again.