Strong in the force, but not that strong.

Rating: 7/10 (18 December 2015)

First of all the greatest strength of this movie is the action, brilliant battles between x-wings and tie fighters stand out as you don't even want to blink as to miss a second would be a shame. The storm troopers have been revamped not so much visually but more character has been injected, they don't run around aimlessly and they can actually shoot,some even have some dialogue which is nice compared to the originals,it gives a feeling that there are people under the suits and not brainless clones.
the overall story of the first film in the new trilogy is strong and stays very loyal to books previously written about the aftermath of return of the Jedi.Most of the casting is top notch, the chemistry between Rey and Finn is natural, but the casting is also were the film lets itself down.
The casting of kylo ren has missed a trick, Adam Driver comes across as a moody teen with an attitude problem than a grand Sith lord, very similar to Hayden Christenson, he just doesn't pull it off.
The only other issue i had is the development of one of the characters as a force sensitive, from visions and slightly feeling the force to full Jedi mind tricks and light saber fights without any tuition unlike Luke who had to learn from Obi Wan and Yoda. It just seems rushed.
These two issues aside this film is very well put together, great direction, great story telling, Harrison ford picked up from were he left off too with the witty one liners from Han solo. Its a big improvement on the ep 1,2,3 but not as good as the originals.