A New Beginning to a New Arc 'A Long Time Ago in a Galaxy Far Far Away...'

Rating: 9/10 (19 December 2015)

Let me get one thing straight as I am writing this review for all online users to read. I don't "like" Star Wars, I... fricken... "Love!" Star Wars. Star Wars has played a huge part in my upbringing, being born in 1990 I was exposed to the original films on VHS at a very young age and since then couldn't look back as I simply jumped a almost everything Star Wars. Also to some of you reading this may think, yes I was very young at the time and was easily fallen victim to enjoying what came next, 'The Special Editions' and the 'Prequels'. Now, I might not hold the most popular opinion to say the least 'I couldn't necessarily care less about the various changes George Lucas made to his films', even if that was the most complete version(s) of the films he made. Even with the Prequel Trilogy I definitely enjoyed them when I was growing up in the noughties. Looking back on them now (as an adult) I fully acknowledge they're certainly not the best films ever made, neither are they the worst (and can certainly understand why a certain generation was disappointed by them). So really..This franchise has always been my greatest source of sci- fi/fantasy escapism, I've lost count how many times I've seen all films. There was even a time between then and now I was obsessed with a load of the expanded universe material such as various novels, comics and video games, etc I may have collected.
Even whilst addressing the controversial issue about divided fan base on what people like and don't like, I particularly find the constant negative attitudes incredibly unattractive and boring, especially in this day and age. If I can like the whole package, I hope others can respect that and in turn I'll respect them. I'm also very subjective on which films in the series I personally like; for me my favourite is a hard choice between, 'Return of the Jedi', 'The Phantom Menace' and 'Revenge of the Sith'. While I also acknowledge the cinematic heights both 'A New Hope' and 'The Empire Strikes Back' have achieved, I also find them incredibly and vastly overrated. I'm not even sure if I'm doing a favour for liking some of the most underrated films of the series. Then again that's just me.
Now onto the actual film, "Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens", is both officially the seventh theatrically and chronologically released Star Wars film to date. Even as a continuation from where "Episode VI: Return of the Jedi" has been left off from the original trilogy, anticipation has been high, but that begs the question: "Does it pay off?". For one I say "Yes!" for the most part regardless of whether or not you have seen or are familiar with any of the previously released Star Wars films, there's no doubting the fact that viewers of all demographics will in fact "Love" this film.
J.J. Abrams has indeed revived a classic franchise in incredibly well executed and ground breaking genre re-defining innovation, tactics and technicalities that have truly stuck to it's roots and traditions. Abrams sleek direction helps the film move at an incredibly fast pace, packed full with action, mystery, humour adventure and suspense, Abrams' work keeps acknowledging 'why I love movies' in general. Add to that you've got such a dedicated and talented cast from old and new eras of the franchise very much trying to bring in the new conjunction and focus for what's in store for the franchise for now, and in the very near future.
Now Personally while I wouldn't necessarily call this film a "masterpiece", overall "The Force Awakens" is a new beginning, this is Star Wars revived for new and old fans to embrace and with so much rich detail to the events placed in front of us for the entire run-time whether it be involving characters, world, conflicts, plot, etc there's so much more ahead of us for the franchise to come. It's like saying the film has a bit of an odd mix between nostalgia and new innovation, added towards the franchise. Even as a lifelong Star Wars fan all I can say is "I cannot wait!!!" for what's to come and would most certainly say this film must be experienced on the big screen.