In a galaxy very close to the one far far away

Rating: 6/10 (17 December 2015)

I was just a bit too old when the first Star Wars films came out so wasn't a big fan and to be honest episode 4 , 5 and 6 just don't stand the test of time for me, anyhow to get ready for episode 7 I watched for the first time in nearly 10 years The Return of the Jedi earlier today in preparation for the Force Awakens. I could have nodded off to be honest if it wasn't for the occasional loud explosion. Unfortunately the same could be said for The Force Awakens too, OK the special effects are much better now than in the old days when they had muppets or puppets if you prefer ? but the expectations were very high for this new release , I mean JJ Abrams is bound to make this the best Star Wars ever right ? but alas not, this seemed more like a reboot than a sequel , the storyline was too similar and several scenes were very much a case of Deja Vu, was JJ Abrams trying to be too close to George Lucas's originals?. This film lacks the excitement and emotion that it should have, not once did I get goose bumps or have the hairs on the back of my neck stand up let alone any feelings of joy or sorrow and considering the effort that has gone in to making it this was a shame. I went for the 3D version and was impressed with the effects , although occasionally I did get some double vision where the contrast was high. I suppose most people born in the late 1960s remember seeing A new Hope, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi and have a nostalgic recollection of these being like nothing they had seen before and unfortunately you just can't reproduce that even with the biggest budget ever. We have so many great Sci Fi fantasy films to compare to now that if it doesn't blow your socks off it's going to be a bit disappointing. OK it's not all bad, Harrison Ford is better than ever and delivers some great gags, Daisy Ridley and John Boyega put in really good performances as the new blood who hopefully go on to do better things maybe in episode 8 and 9 ? I can't say too much without writing plot spoilers so go see it and make of it what you will. Hopefully you won't go in with such high expectations. I give it 7/10 but thought for sure it would be a 9.