Slow moving at the start, contrary to word of mouth isn't all that much like previous film but when it gets going, boy does it get going

Rating: 10/10 (11 January 2016)

But here we are, after years of rumours that actually date back to around the time Empire Strikes Back (no really) was being made we have Episode VII. I got to admit while George Lucas selling his company was a surprise, knew he was retiring but I did not see that coming. However Disney right away announcing a new trilogy was not a surprise. But while this new film is slow to get going early on, when it gets going it feels like Star Wars is truly back.
OK first off to address the one comment everyone is making, yes there are so many similarities to a new hope but it is still quite different from the others. The best spoiler free way I can put it is that if you read into a handful of key scenes of this one there are major moments somewhat taken from a new hope. It is hard to avoid going into too much detail on this front even though there is a spoiler warning tagged onto this review. But the best way I can put this is that it is stuff that stands out if you take the bare bones of the key moments in the film without focusing purely on the specifics especially with one moment towards the end that you will find obvious nods to the previous films.
The pace early on into the film is slower than the other films. it does keep moving along at the right pace as we are introduced to the new main characters of this third trilogy. without any major spoilers the best way I can put it is that there isn't any clear indication as to who is meant to be which original trilogy character. Rey you can imagine becoming the new Luke Skywalker, Finn maybe as this generation's Han Solo. As for the villains, one or two new twists on this front but that is where it becomes different. While the new main definitely brings villain does bring things back to the original and the prequel trilogies in a major way. I am not just talking about the either. his storyline does call back to major themes from previous films while taking on a new twist which I guess if you saw the trailers you could see coming but I didn't seem to mind for that long.
But if there is one factor that is this films strongest factor as a long time fan of this series is that many characters do actually come back. As I said it is slow to get going early on into the film but this film. It is when iconic characters/ vehicles start appearing from the original trilogy that it really does feel like the pace is picking up. Dare I say it, when the millennium falcon first appears on screen I lost my mind due to overwhelming giddiness. It was definitely then that you really do start to believe more than ever that this really is the new Star Wars.
Because while technically this is a purely original creation as JJ Abrams and co while they approached the making of this film as films of the series disregarded George Lucas's original plan for his sequel trilogy. There is no way they could get so much criticisms of the similarities to A New Hope if they weren't fans of the series. I have been a fan of his previous work including Lost, Mission Impossible and of course his Star Trek movies there was no denying I had faith that if anyone was going to do it right it would be him. He stays true to the classic formula, somethings are different because times changed both in the series and behind the scenes but you don't really seem to mind. It is with this is where you start to see why it has been a big hit with fans. (People are still going to watch it again and again after all).
A downside is that there are not that many lightsaber battles this time round, they definitely toned this factor down to focus more on the plot but it is still thrilling. But there are still plenty of the familiar space chases and battles. Strange new world and creatures, while still revisiting some old favourites which was great to see.
If there is one critique that definitely came too mind which goes back to the A New Hope similarities and moments that are hard to avoid serious spoilers. The most surprising moment in the film, which managed to get a huge gasp out of me because by that point I truly was on the edge of my seat was kind of predictable. But what I will say it didn't seem all that shocking because I knew of some debates going on behind the scenes in the past with the series and it made sense that they would do it. But still when I watched this scene, part of me without recalling what I had read or heard in the past was guessing but still on the edge of my seat wondering what was happening next.
But in all if there is one thing I could say about this film is that Star Wars is truly back. It doesn't beat the originals but it does make the prequels feel that a thing of the past. They are still considered part of the main series but none of the infamous mistakes made that time round have not been made in this film. While continuing the saga in a brand new direction there are still plenty of great call backs to what fans around the world have loved about the series for almost four decades and makes me excited about what is to come in episodes VIII and IX. So in all, from a long time massive fan I can honestly say I loved it.