Episode 7, the Star Wars sequel that could have been so, so much worse.

Rating: 9/10 (17 December 2015)

First off I'll admit it, I'm a Star Wars fanboy. Ever since I can remember I've had an association to the original trilogy. I can recite the words to episode 4 without prompting, and I consider ESB to be one of the best sequels of all time. This is no Empire, its not even a Return of the Jedi, without wanting to spoil too much, its almost episode 4.1, like a patched version for a modern audience. What stuck me was that the period between 6 and 7 had in no way been a fairy-tale for our original heroes. The frailties they showed in the younger years which were endearing, have haunted them and left them vulnerable. The new heroes are full of that naivety and wide eyed hope that attracted us to the gang 30 years back, and its great to see the sparkle in the eyes of the original cast when they get their spark back. The world has changed, yet no one seems to have it better - desert planets still provide little respite for the scavengers, Remains of the civil war litter the landscape, and the 1st order rule with an iron fist not seen with the Empire. As a visual feast its excellent. The Star Wars universe is there in all its glory - The 1st order is a clean, regimented, brutal regime. The resistance are rag-tag, grubby, barely surviving band of rebels after 30 years on the run. The modelling and effects are awesome, the lack of George Lucas style CGI noticeable after the rehashing of the special editions. And John Williams has managed to score another excellent soundtrack. Its in no way perfect, the recycling of story lines are even mocked by those involved (so its another death star???) but the formula works, its what's drawn us in since '77 , and it sets up the subsequent movies well. Did my legs shake with excitement? Yes. Did I giggle like a schoolgirl at times? Yes. Did I cry? Yes. Do I now want to be Poe Dameron? Hell yes. Will I see episode 8? Without a doubt.