JJ does an absolutely excellent job of restoring the true of spirit of Star Wars

Rating: 6/10 (18 December 2015)

I don't want to go too much into plot details. So I will talk in broad strokes. The original star wars movies had a certain 'western' or comic book feel, the sound editing, the dusty and natural settings, the sound effects, the jokes and ribbing - it all lead to a sort of rustic feel. Here JJ returns to a heavy emphasis on natural settings, rustic hardware, strong sound fx, and practical special effects - the effect, along with the plot, writing and characters, is a genuine return to those things we loves about the original movies - real humour, a real 'low-tech high tech' space western with mystic elements. The lead character, whilst strubbornly indepent is a great, and realistic female lead. All the characters are fairly likable, and we get return characters. Meanwhile chewy, and bb8 hold the role of child-like expression and cuteness, to lighten the mood. Han and chewie have some great exchanges, and our new ex-storm trooper also awkwardly provides some comic relief. The action is also true to original form - not so much about scale, and time in the movie, like some like of sense overwhelming cacophany like the prequals gave us, but an epic, even gritty single crescendo of light saber and star fights - the star fights so well done, they are reminiscent of dog- fighting jet plan fights, and very compelling in their motion. Honestly, this is a completely excellent movie, even down to the semi-emo fledgling sith lord. 10 of 10, haven't felt like this leaving a movie, since the matrix. JJ, you freaking did, so glad to have you on board, and looking forward to all the other installments. Yay!