Lives up to the hype.

Rating: 8/10 (19 January 2016)

The most anticipated movie of the last decade definitely lives up to expectations. The perfect blend of old and new is enough to satisfy even the most sceptical of moviegoers.
The new leads don't disappoint, our new heroine Rey (Daisy Ridley) quickly captures our attention with a mature performance in her first major feature. The story really kicks off when she is joined by Finn (John Boyega) who gives one of the best performances among an experienced cast. The story moves along at a quick pace and is never tiresome.
The story does mirror the original Star Wars movie in many ways, however there's enough new material to allow this movie to stand on its own. The main problems with the film come from the fact that it is the first of a trilogy, many parts of the movie are only there to set up future events, and you could say that there is a lot of fan service with many through backs to the original trilogy. However I feel that the film does exactly what it was meant to do, entertain fans of the previous films while introducing new viewers to the Star Wars universe and getting them excited for future features.
The reappearances of the classic characters add to the nostalgic feel, yet this doesn't take away from the new revitalised franchise. Plenty of exciting action along with tense moments from the new villain Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) make this one of the must see films of the year.
Whether you've seen the previous Star Wars films or not, this movie has something for everyone. And while it delighted me enough to merit a second viewing, it is definitely a great movie going experience for all.