A story worthy of the original three films

Rating: 8/10 (20 December 2015)

Finally, a film in the Star Wars saga that lives up to the standard set by the original three! Star Wars: The Force Awakens is basically a retelling of Episode IV. The story lines, the characters and their development, even specific scenes and moments parallel it throughout.
The opening scene, in which Poe Dameron places information that is vital to the success of the rebels into BB-8 before he is captured by Kylo Ren, mirrors the same opening scene in Star Wars with Princess Leia, R2-D2 and Darth Vader. The similarities continue with Rey, an adolescent unaware of the Force within her and abandoned on a desert planet until a chance meeting with BB-8 sparks her destiny. Sound like anyone we know in Star Wars? Finn, a character with a dubious background, only gets involved in helping the rebel cause for self-centered reasons to start with but grows more altruistic and closer to the cause as the story continues, much like Han Solo in the original tale. Even Han Solo, a character that we are already familiar with, takes on the Obi-Wan Kenobi role in many ways in the new film. I could go on and on but you get the point.
New director J.J. Abrams and writer Lawrence Kasdan have re-packaged Episode IV and sold it as Episode VII but they've done it in a way that doesn't leave us feeling cheated, even those of us who were there when the whole Star Wars phenomenon started. The franchise is back on track and is true to the sense and style of the original three films. Can't wait for the next film in 2017!
Final note: I just want to say that before seeing this film I correctly predicted that Kylo Ren would be the son of Han Solo and Princess Leia. Feeling pretty proud of myself for getting that right. With that in mind I would just like to go on record with a few more predictions for the upcoming episodes.
In Episode VII Luke Skywalker will take on the role that Yoda played in The Empire Strikes Back. Rey will be revealed to be the daughter of Han Solo and Leia (making her Kylo Ren's sister). Also, at some point Finn will end up as captain of the Millennium Falcon. In Episode IX Luke Skywalker dies.