8/10

Rating: 8/10 (20 January 2016)

Star Wars fans are a strange bunch as they never seem to be satisfied: Give them something original and new like in the prequel trilogy and they will certainly proclaim that this is not "their" original Star Wars. Give them something that is a lovely homage to the original trilogy -like this film- and they will certainly argue that it is not "new" enough.
The Force Awakens is a very good film all in all. Sure one can criticize the lack of an original story, but then again, what did you expect? Of course they could have done this or that, make Luke evil and stuff, but would that make the movie any better? I very much doubt it.
To me, they did a great job and I enjoyed the movie throughout, especially for its stunning visuals (I've never seen the 3D effect used any better than in this movie). I also liked the new characters, especially Kylo and Rey. Kylo is a great new addition to the Star Wars Universe, a character not being evil because he is just that, but because he feels lost. Something that never came across well enough in the films prior to this one. I also liked Rey, as we have never seen a young woman become a Jedi and also, because of the intensity in her performance. The old cast, foremost Han Solo, is doing a great job in carrying the movie as well. I've never seen his character being used any better than in this film, as I always thought he was more of a sidekick that is not really needed in the entire plot.
All in all this film is working very well, the only thing I would criticize is that they gave us very little story compared to the older films. Lucas made his films more independent from one another. With this one, I have a feeling that it was more an introduction of what's going to come. At least that's what I am hoping for. Since I don't know about that I give it a well deserved 8/10.
I am very curious with what they'll come up with in the next two movies!