Star Wars: The Force Awakens - A Review by Nathan Fischer

Rating: 9/10 (30 December 2015)

Star Wars has never been as huge as it is today. That's saying a lot. The universe George Lucas originally created has only gotten bigger since the release of A New Hope. Now Disney and JJ Abrams brings us the next installment, The Force Awakens. For many fans, this is a way to right what the prequels did wrong. Well fans can breath a sigh of relief. This is the Star Wars movie we have all been waiting for. I'm not going to go in to huge plot details here in case there are readers who have not seen the film. But by no means will this be spoiler free. That is a warning.
Let's start with the story. I found this tale to be classic Star Wars. They definitely took notes for A New Hope. I don't think the intention is to reboot anything, I think it's the idea that the past repeats itself This is a familiar theme in the Star Wars universe. JJ Abrams has done a wonderful job at making the story feel personal on a large scale. We have colorful, charismatic characters running in to each other through unforeseen circumstances.
There is a new evil power trying to run the Galaxy called The First Order let by General Hux and Kylo Ren who is our new dark side badass. Our heroes Rey, Finn, Han, Chewy and more embark on an adventure to join The Resistance and stop the new order after they find a piece of a map inside the droid BB-8 that could lead to the last known Jedi, Luke Skywalker. The mystery surrounding Luke is wonderful because we share it with the characters in the film. No one in the movie knows where he has gone or what he's been doing, and neither to we.
Finn and Rey have the most screen time, and their chemistry is undeniable. It almost bummed me out when they separated for a while in the middle, but I guess that means it works. Han and Chewy feel right at home without being overwhelming or forced. And BB-8 is just as charming and adorable as the ads would have you believe. I really loved how crucial he was to the plot. Then there is Kylo Ren, our villain. He surprised me. At first, he is all badass. Powerful, confident and driven by the dark side. But as the movie continues, we learn who he is and realize this is not a one note character. He is torn and haunted. The writers really did something I would have never thought of. While in all other Star Wars movies, the characters are trying to fight off the dark side, Kylo Ren is trying to fight off the light side. It keeps creeping in to him, seducing him to leave the dark side. I love that. The dark side has always come across as stronger then the light, but that is simply not true. No side is stronger then the other, the dark side is just more manipulative.
JJ Abrams has done a fantastic job of integrating practical effects and CGI. This feels like the original movies because we feel like we are there. Real sets, real costumes, real actors. Sure, there are some CGI characters. Some I liked (the owner of the bar) and some not so much (Supreme Leader Snoke). The battle scenes are also spectacular. All of it is easy to understand and puts you right in the action. I liked the light saber fight scenes as well, slowing down the pace and making it a little more choppy and brutal. These are not well trained Jedi fighting here, they are just starting to learn.
the film is not perfect. There was a lull here and there, and perhaps a little too much throwback, but that is totally forgiven. This was the movie I wanted to see. This is the Star Wars people have been waiting for. Through the film I cheered, laughed, teared up, dropped my jaw, and giggle in excitement. A movie hasn't done that to me since...well...I can't remember.