Only a Stuck-up, Half-witted, Scruffy-looking Nerf-herder Wouldn't Like The Force Awakens.

Rating: 9/10 (25 December 2015)

This is it. The Big One. The Grand Fromage. The last (biggest) movie of 2015. After years of mysterious announcements, casting rumors, story leaks, nerd speculations, and some amazing trailers, the epic space opera of complex-good vs. complex-evil is back, and in full force. Jedi Master Abrams, consciously and good-naturedly aware of the task he has been given, delivers an adventure every bit as fun as its predecessors, keeping intact the heart and soul of what we love in these films, down to its beautiful imperfections. Feel free to believe the hype and know that your question of "Will it live up?" will quickly disappear. It's like we never left the galaxy far, far away. It's Star Wars, inside and out, unabashedly biting elements from its origins while sweeping us along in new ways. Having learned from the dreaded CGI-drenched prequels, it's chocked full of practical effects, beautiful creature designs, and stunning sets. Even more importantly, the characters are wonderfully original and perfectly nuanced, especially newcomers Ridley and Boyega. I don't wanna say too much here in case you're one of the 3 people in the world who hasn't seen it yet, but be assured: Jar Jar Binks & Anakin Skywalker they are not. Thank God for Abrams, a fan-turned-filmmaker who knows what makes these movies great, and only uses modern techniques and tones when appropriate. Sure, it's every bit as big and bombastic as you could want in a Hollywood blockbuster, but it's the smaller nuances in the characters that will keep us coming back another 40 years later. Thrills, inspiration, humor, and heartÂ…only a stuck-up, half-witted, scruffy-looking nerf-herder wouldn't like The Force Awakens.