A Graceful Sequel to the Greatest Story Ever Told

Rating: 10/10 (28 December 2015)

Like many people, Star Wars was a immense part of my childhood. I watched with wonder the masterpieces of the Original Trilogy, and waited in anticipation for the Phantom Menace, a movie with expectations so high, an entire fandom would cry out in anguish if it were to let them down. And boy did it ever.
After the clusterf*ck of the prequels, I have to admit that I was afraid when The Force Awakens was announced. When the trailers came out, I could hardly contain my excitement. When I found out JJ Abrams was directing it, my stomach dropped. After the disaster of the Star Trek reboot, (two of the worst movies I have ever seen) I was terrified at what he would do to this one.
All of my nerves were dispelled the moment that theme blared through the speakers, and the yellow outline of "STAR WARS" appeared on screen. As the opening music swelled, I felt a rush of adrenaline that I have rarely ever felt. As the opening crawl moved slowly across the screen, I suddenly remembered seeing the original Star Wars, and watching that crawl with childlike wonder. I felt that wonder again.
The movie itself was a sensory experience the likes of which I hadn't seen since Avatar. The entire movie was one thrill after another, with a round ton of nostalgia and fan service thrown in for good measure. While it did borrow a lot from the original trilogy, it maintained its own air of originality. The prequels were supposed to be Star Wars, but they didn't feel like Star Wars. There was something missing, but I couldn't define it. I still can't, but whatever it was, this movie had it. I couldn't believe my eyes.
In summation, Star Wars: The Force Awakens restored Star Wars to what is was so many years ago.