The Force Awakens relaunches the franchise with promise!!!

Rating: 8/10 (24 December 2015)

J.J. Abrams and Disney's Star Wars: The Force Awakens provides homage to the Lucas films of old with a fresh, well-cast, and action packed thrill ride for everyone to enjoy. With that being said, the film does a fair job of character and plot development, and will leave viewers with unanswered questions, which I believe was done by design. But now to the important info everyone wants to know.
The three main characters, Finn, Rey, Poe Dameron, and Kylo Ren intersect each other's lives by happenstance with danger looming everywhere. A First Order storm trooper racked with inner turmoil, a tough, self sufficient Jakku scavenger, Resistance pilot with an attitude, and a volatile but vulnerable villain are wonderfully acted by John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Oscar Issacs, and Adam Driver. Welcome return for seasoned Star Wars alumni Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, and Carrie Fisher as well as Chewbacca, C-3PO and R2-D2 to add some of the flavor that gave A New Hope so much success. So many new characters to name with mainly BB-8 standing tall on film.
The film centers around the search for Luke Skywalker's whereabouts, the introductions of the new with the old characters, and the imminent danger of the rising power of the First Order. The underlying plots are Rey's Force awakening and the mystery of new villain and Vader fanboy Kylo Ren. BB-8 carries the data to Luke's place of exile, and provides comedy relief and cuteness as well. As has been in past films, familial lines play a major part in the interactions between major characters. No different in this film. Some questions will not be answered so don't frustrate yourself. All questions will be answered throughout Episodes 8 and 9. Lots of air battles, blaster and saber play as well as poignant moments and shock. Abrams does a terrific job of mixing old with new and brings a fresh twist on a film series desperate for a "relaunch" to reach out to the new generation of Star Wars fans. Not the blockbuster game changer of 1977 but definitely a must-see for all.