Its back!!!!

Rating: 10/10 (17 December 2015)

Where to begin?? A long time ago in a galaxy far far away...... to cheesy? Probably. However it does feel like a long time ago since the last time we were treated to an amazing Star Wars movie. Now let me be clear, star wars is more than just a movie saga for hardcore fans and casual film goers alike the gravity that these movies carry is not lost on anyone. I personally fall into the hardcore fan category and i was lucky enough to attend the London European premiere (had to slip that in there) as the place where i was finally after a decade of waiting thrust back into that galaxy far far away. My biggest problem with writing a review for this film is a recognition that as a fan objectivity will be difficult (10/10) however i will try.
From the moment those luminous blue words appeared on the screen to the all to familiar yellow scroll through space my sense of nostalgia was all consuming. Staring excitedly through tear filled eyes (i know I'm sad) i absorbed every moment. Do not expect to be filled in on every detail from the 30 year interval in those few space bound paragraphs; but do expect to get a basic feel with enough information to content even the most inquisitive mind. And this will continue throughout the movie. In typical J.J.Abrams style you will be left with more question than you do answers so try to have a more accepting mind so as to allow yourself full immersion in to the experience. Is this a criticism? No not really. Even as a hardcore fan i know that these questions will be answered eventually and the guessing and assumptions is half the fun. Why did Kylo turn? What did Snoke offer him? Candy? An instruction manual on how to build an awesome looking lightsaber? Who knows all i do know is i have my Christmas dinner discussions all taken care off.
Now a Star Wars movie must start in a very specific way and follow 2 non-negotiable rules:- 1. It must start in space 2. It must start with a star ship And you will be pleased to know it does. And my god it does so masterfully. The silhouette off that all to familiar Triangle off a star destroyer eerily drifts on to the screen backlit by the white light of some planetoid or another. I sat back in my chair and allowed myself a small sigh of relief as i was escorted down to our first destination Jakku compliments of 4 Stormtrooper transport ships. Thats right who needs to fly Virgin now? Planetside the Stormtroopers steal the scene and for the first time i saw them as actual characters in a movie not just Jedi fodder. And with the introduction of the flamethrower trooper the movie really hots up........ ;).
The best pilot in the Resistance (the new rebel alliance for those not in the know) Poe Dameron is first on the scene to deal with these white armoured swines and this gives us our first chance to really see visually just how successfully J.J. has combined practical with generated effects. It is a visual feast especially when the movies main protagonist Kylo Ren makes his first appearance. For those off you out there who believe that Kylo Ren is just a Vader rip off you could not be more wrong. His character is deeper on so many levels and especially with the first early revelation his character is immortalised and connections between the old and the new is solidified.
After the first skirmish you are introduced to more of the new cast in the guises of Finn (John Boyeaga) and Rey (Daisy Ridley). The perpetually out of breath Finn offers up most of the comedy throughout the movie and manages to elicit a genuinely sympathetic response to our turn coat stormtrooper who just can not catch a break as he bounces from one bad situation to another as he tries in vain to escape the horrors off what he has witnessed. Rey however stands in stark contrast to Finn and when introduced to her, is a scavenger off shiny metal mechanical components from crashed or battle damaged vehicles of all sizes remnants of the war between the Empire and the Rebellion. However not one for complaining our little magpie is quite chipper and accepting of her poverty stricken existence and again makes a nostalgic connection to our first introductions in previous movies of Anakin and Luke. Maybe a hint at her being the continuation of the Skywalker legacy? Who knows? F@#king J.J does!!!. Ahem. Apologies for the break in composure i forgot my Jedi training for a moment.
Anywho Finn and Rey along with BB-8 become besties and by this point you will be desperate for your first glimpse of one of the oldies. You do not wait long as that lovable shoot first rogue along with his furry side kick return to the big screen screen. Han and Chewie are back and not in a minor way either. The majority of the movie is permeated with Hans witty one liners and Chewies roars and quite rightly so. General Leia is there to (hard to be a princess off a bunch of space rubble i guess) along with cameos from numerous characters and all of whom do a commendable job of keeping the audience immersed in this universe as they play the ultimate game of hide n seek with everybodies favourite Jedi Luke Skywalker.
I will not reveal anymore instead i will say that this movie can not be missed on the big screen and as it bids farewell to one beloved character the importance of seeing this movie before it is ruined for you is vital.
May the force be with you as it most definitely is with this continuation of the most beloved space saga.