The Star Wars franchise is back, with a vengeance...

Rating: 8/10 (20 December 2015)

I have just come back home from the cinema after having spent the evening there with my family watching the new "Star Wars: The Force Awakens". And I am thrilled, excited and ecstatic.
There was a big hype about "Star Wars: The Force Awakens", and you would have to be living in a cave somewhere if that had eluded you. And no wonder that there was so much hype about it, because director J.J. Abrams did have some rather big shoes to fill out after taking over from legendary George Lucas. And then just how did he manage to do? In my honest opinion, then J.J. Abrams did an amazing job, hand on heart.
And having grown up with "Star Wars" and loving the franchise, then I was also anticipating the movie and looking forward to seeing what J.J. Abrams would bring to the table. And I think that after the last three movies - parts one, two and three - in the legacy, then it could be nothing but better. And yes, J.J. Abrams succeeded and picked up the torch nicely and continuing in the spirit of the original trilogy - parts four, five and six.
Story-wise, then J.J. Abrams was working on the continuation of the last movie "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi", and this seventh movie was set 30 years after the defeat of the Empire and the destruction of the second Death Star; being the end of the "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi" movie. And while "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" boasts a completely new array of characters, then the return of the core essential characters from the original trilogy (parts four, five and six) return to part seven as well.
So just how did these new characters fit into the legacy and the story that J.J. Abrams told in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens"? Personally, I must admit that I think that the character gallery was amazing, and the talents cast to play the roles were really nicely chosen and were doing really good jobs in bringing the characters to life on the screen. Of course Luke Skywalker (played by Mark Hamill), Han Solo (played by Harrison Ford), Leia Organa (played by Carrie Fisher), C3P0 (played by Anthony Daniels), R2D2 (played by Kenny Baker) and Chewbacca (played by Peter Mayhew) need no introduction. But the new characters introduced in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" did prove really good and had lots of variety. Rey (played by Daisy Ridley), Finn (played by John Boyega), Poe Dameron (played by Oscar Isaac) and Kylo Ren (played by Adam Driver) did prove to be good characters that will be memorable as those in the original trilogy. However, and yes there is a however, I didn't really think that the villainous Kylo Ren was all that impressive, just seemed like a cheap knock off of Darth Vader, to be honest.
And while we are on the topic of the new characters, then I am excited to see the next movies and follow the stories of these newly established characters. But also to follow the continued story of the heroes from the original trilogy.
The storyline told in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" was good, and I had all my hopes and wishes fulfilled by J.J. Abrams's storytelling, and he really did a good job in continuing the timeless space saga. However, there was just too many parallels to the first movies. I mean, a galactic power force that has built a massive weapon capable of destroying planets, and a small force of opposition attempting to foil their plans. It had been done twice already, so on that account, Abrams did leave us hardcore fans with a somewhat dry sensation in our mouths. But the story told around the core characters was good, thrilling and fast-paced. And I think that he managed to incorporate a good many things and details for each individual character and tie them together nicely for a greater picture.
And having the special effects team return to physical effects and not rely on CGI as they did in parts one, two and three was a good thing, because they returned to how they worked their magic in parts four, five and six. And the special effects guys really went back to the roots with lots of details, fabulous creatures, great costumes and captured that unique "Star Wars" sensation. And boy was that magic back with a vengeance. I was completely blown away with all the details and touches added to this movie. And the space dogfights was just exciting like you wouldn't believe. It was like you were there yourself.
Yes, I am a fan of "Star Wars", that is no secret and no doubt about it, and it warms my heart to have this glorious return to the original trilogy, and to see it leave the work of George Lucas in parts one, two and three far, far behind in its wake.
"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" is exactly what was needed to put new life into the franchise, especially after the massacre the franchise was exposed to with parts one, two and three. And on that account, then J.J. Abrams deserves a massive applause for this accomplishment with this movie. I respectfully salute thee.
If you enjoy the "Star Wars" saga, then you should embrace "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" with open arms, because it really is a majestic return to the atmosphere and sensation of the original trilogy.