"Star Wars The Force Awakens" a bold and brilliant continuation

Rating: 10/10 (16 December 2015)

The Force is with J.J. Abrahms. Star Wars fans, especially those of us who grew up with episodes IV, V, and VI, are going to be absolutely thrilled with Episode VII, aka "The Force Awakens." As the familiar music blasts through the speakers, the bold letters roll past you in space to get you up to speed as to where we are in the story...just like old times. The epic scale scenery, reminding you not only of past Star Wars episodes, but also of the vastness of space, wonderfully overloads your senses as the ships glide effortlessly through the galaxy in the foreground as they shadow the planets.
Without giving too much away, suffice it to say that you will thoroughly enjoy everything that is referenced and brought back to the silver screen. But there are plenty of new aspects in this film too. We have a new droid, BB8, that is adorable with a personality making him as lovable as a puppy. And Chewbacca is so expressively charming that he almost steals the scenes from Han Solo. But can the new characters possibly rise up to the high bar that Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Darth Vader set? The answer is a plain and simple "yes."
"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" keeps you on the edge of your seat, glued to every word so that you don't miss any surprises (and there are a few!) With an unbelievably tight script and amazing action scenes that don't overload the movie with CGI, this is filmmaking at its best. When is a sequel as good as the original? The answer is: When you have JJ Abrams at the helm.
"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" is everything it promised us it would be. The script is fun and full of adventure and action. The acting is superb with not a weak link in the chain. Incorporating old and new concepts and characters together, blends as wonderfully as a chocolate and peanut butter. The style feels like George Lucas' golden touch. I wonder if he might be thinking, "This is the film I wished I could have made back in 1977."