The Force has indeed awoken.

Rating: 8/10 (23 December 2015)

After three long, uncertain years, Star Wars episode VII is finally here. Going in to the cinema last week didn't even seem real. Over a year since our first teaser trailer, audiences across the globe finally got to see their first taste of new Star Wars in 10 years (and over 30 since some good Star Wars!)
So, is it good? Short answer, yes. Very.
The problem is many people will have, and as evidenced by a lot of other reviews, did have insanely high expectations for this film. I won't lie, as a Star Wars fan, of course I was excited. But I haven't forgot the prequels, so I took every trailer and piece of information on this film with a pinch of salt. It looked promising; J.J. Abrams directing and a cast of relatively unknown young talent alongside veterans. Plus the story takes place 30 years after Return of the Jedi, so for people who never delved in to the expanded universe (despite it now effectively being non-canon), this was going to be something new and exciting.
Is it as good as the original trilogy? Honestly, yes. If not, it's at least a thousand times better than any of the prequels. I mean, we'll have to see what episodes 8 and 9 ultimately bring, but the more I think about it, the more I realise that this film feels more like classic Star Wars than any of the prequels ever did. I was never overly keen on Return of the Jedi to begin with (I still hold it in high regard, but it is by far the weakest chapter of the original trilogy).
More spoiler-filled reviews dabble in to the story, so for the benefit of the five people in the world who haven't seen it yet, I'll keep it nice and vague. Obviously the film is set 30 years after Return of the Jedi. Out of the ashes of the Empire has risen the First Order (basically space Nazis), led by Kylo Ren (the guy with the mask). Luke Skywalker is in exile and the Rebellion (now known as the Resistance) is trying to liberate the galaxy.
The big criticism I see from most people is that this film is a rehash/remake/retread of Episode IV (although I'm one of those people who prefer to just call it Star Wars). But I think a lot of people are missing the point. J.J. Abrams had to play it safe for the sake of staying true to what made the original movies so great and so beloved. Many reviews point out overwhelming similarities between this and IV, and while it is noticeable, it didn't detract from how much I enjoyed this movie.
For comparison, think about the Back to the Future trilogy. Entire scenes are redone in each of the sequels (Marty gets knocked out and wakes up in bed being comforted by a relative, Marty loses his temper when someone calls him a name, the hoverboard scene in part 2 is essentially a remake of the skateboard scene in part 1...) and yet we all love that trilogy!
My point is, J.J. Abrams gave us exactly what we wanted. This film needed to be made and was exactly what the franchise needed. Star Wars is cool again! Every child will have Star Wars toys under their Christmas tree this year; everywhere you look people have gone crazy for Star Wars. Few franchises instil such love and devotion from people.
If I had to briefly sum up this film, I'd say it is very much classic Star Wars beautifully re-imagined for the 21st century. I can't wait for episode 8!