As great as the earliest in the series

Rating: 8/10 (1 July 2018)

In part seven of the universally famous series, outer space continues to have more battles between good and evil forces. Some of the characters of the well-known middle trilogy are present (thirty years older) with some newer and younger characters as well.
The galaxy is busy once again with various battles and subplots. Like other films, "The Force Awakens" can occasionally overwhelm with sci-fi jargon but only to a point. The main story and battles are easy for average viewers to understand and, most of all, to enjoy.
The technical aspects of the film are, as expected, the grandest elements especially the visual effects. The production set designs are to die for as well. There are more than a few great moments of aerial shots that show how small the people appear within the great sets that surround them.
As the middle trilogy (1977 - 1983) is so familiar, it felt movingly sentimental to see the great likes of Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, and Mark Hamill reprising their renowned roles of Han Solo, Princess (now General) Leia, and Luke Skywalker respectively as well as the characters Chewbacca, C3PO, and R2D2.
There is a shocking conflict scene near the end that recalls a similar scene in "The Empire Strikes Back". And the brilliant final scene is surely Hollywood spectacle at its very best - goosebumps and all.
Director J.J. Abrams has made a great contribution to this series. May the glorious force be with us again and again.
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS: Production Design and Visual Effects