Force Awakens Spoiler free review!

Rating: Null/10 (17 December 2015)

"I will finish what you started" a promise made by Kylo Ren to Darth Vader, a mission reflected to that of Director JJ. Abrahams who has now taken over the reigns from George Lucas in continuing the legacy of the Star Wars Universe and in this film he has definitely recaptured the magic of what made the trilogy such timeless classics.
As soon we are introduced to the 'Force Awakens' we find ourselves on familiar ground, a path laid out in 'A New Hope' in which Abrahams follows its beats very closely. His understanding of the spirit of Star Wars is never in doubt though as Oscar Issac's Poe Dameron makes an electric entrance as an elite star fighter on a covert mission. He jump starts the path to us meeting the rest of new characters such as John Boyega's Finn whom he shares great banter and energy with. Boyega really brings a charismatic and emotional weight to his role as a stormtropper who is desperately trying to break free from the shackles of fate forced upon him.
Harrison Ford reprises his role as Han Solo and perfectly slides back into the character that made him a star, he scenes with Peter Mayhew returning as Co-pilot Chewbacca really bring a welcomed nostalgia, this is turned up even higher when we meet Leia and old sparks fly.
Kylo Ren the antagonist of this new era played by Adam Driver brings a multi layered performance to the table, successfully avoiding the one dimensional trope of villains that run rampant on our screens. His actions undoubtedly questionable but with motives that you will perhaps even sympathize with.
Who really shines brightest though is Daisy Ridley as Rey, a scavenger on the planet of Jakku who longs for adventure and there isn't a scene I can recall where I felt she missed her mark. Every part of performance is believable and this perfectly complemented by her companion, the superb and comical BB-8 Robot. The studios choice to rely heavily on practical effects as opposed to CG really pays off here as Rey and Finn are able to interact with BB-8 and the many other characters without any notion of being pulled away from the reality of the film but with this achievement does come instances where two important CG characters feel out of place, its a shame they were not fully realized using costume and prosthetics as the rest of the supporting cast.
The world of 'Force awakens' is beautifully filmed, from the wide angle shots showcasing the amazing set design and location choices to the tight aerial acrobats of the Millennium Falcon. The action is fast paced both in its dogfights and within its narrative. Any paused moments of fluidity help the emotion and humour pour out from its wonderful cast, we are never left with overly long scenes with clunky exposition that plagued the prequel films.
So has it been worth the wait? Yes, Abrahams's and co have been able to re-kickstart the Star Wars universe which is hugely pushed by the stellar new cast which will dazzle a new generation of fans of those of old, the returning players bringing a story that feels like a true sequel even if it does fly too safe at times and not diverging from what has come before, hopefully in the following sequels we will have a more confident approach in telling a new saga.
👎Overly familiar story paths 👎Use of CG on certain characters
👍Wonderfully filmed 👍Brilliant new cast 👍Fast paced action