The third best film in the saga after Episodes IV and V.......................

Rating: 10/10 (18 December 2015)

(MAJOR SPOILERS)
Well here it is. After an incredible marketing campaign with some brilliant trailers, we have the seventh Star Wars film without the shadow of George Lucas hovering over it. JJ Abrams really has brought a superb sequel to the screen, pleasing old fans like myself while still making sure that the new trilogy will be its own thing by the time Colin Trevorrow brings us Episode IX in 2019.
At the time of writing this, critics love it and if I'm perfectly honest, so did I and is without a doubt the third best in the entire saga. So far I have watched it twice in IMAX on successive days and loved it each time.
However, a lot of fans are making out its just a rehash of Episode IV with some of Episode V mixed in. Now this is true to a certain extent but it does NOT ruin what has been put up there on screen as it sets up far too many things for Episodes VIII and IX and by the end, it becomes its own film AND story entirely.
So many good things about this film and its just so great to have an incredible cast of actors and characters (both old and new) become a 'family' together on screen again just like the original trilogy, but was completely lacking from the prequels.
The welcome return of Harrison Ford (back on form here as the Han Solo we knew and loved in Episodes IV and V), Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill (Although I was over the moon to see him, I was disappointed with his 2 minute voiceless cameo at the end), Peter Mayhew and Anthony Daniels. Then we have the 'new generation' of actors taking the saga forward and the casting was just incredible as they each give it their all. The star of the new cast is without a doubt Daisy Ridley who plays Rey. Considering this is her first film, she is very beautiful (that smile) and is incredibly likable. Her lightsaber fight towards the end with Kylo Ren was just thrilling, and once a familiar piece of music kicks in, its classic Star Wars. John Boyega is also excellent as Finn and again such a likable character. Oscar Isaac was a revelation in this as the incredibly heroic Poe Dameron. Adam Driver playing the sagas best villain since Darth Vader in the form of Kylo Ren. He was more 'frightening' with the mask on and I just LOVED his voice!!! I have to mention BB-8 who is just a brilliant successor to R2D2 and C3PO with some spot on comedy moments in the film. Rounding off the cast we have Gwendoline Christie as Captain Phasma. She is underused but we know she will be back for Episode VIII. Domnhall Gleeson as the 'Peter Cushing-esque' General Hux. Andy Serkis on form with motion capture again as Lord Snoke. And again another likable character in the form of Lupita Nyong'o' Maz Kanata who seems to know more than she lets on.
What we didn't get with the prequels in the form of love for the characters, is the complete opposite here and that is what will makes us love this trilogy even more.
Lots of people slating John Williams score which I find just unbelievable to be honest. I am listening to it now while writing this and although its not his best score of the saga it is still superb and would you rather he had NOT come back???????? Ridiculous!!!! I think also that the score got 'drowned out' during the movie due to the amount of battles, sound effects, etc in the movie which is why people didn't seem to 'recognize' any new themes. But the score IS a Star Wars score and I just LOVE the theme he has come up with for Rey. Beautiful theme and classic John Williams.
The ONLY downside with the whole film for me was the aftermath of Hans death at the hands of Kylo Ren, who we find out is actually Han and Leias son who has turned to the dark side during Luke training him. He has destroyed a new Jedi order and hence why Luke has vanished during the film. Hans death was perfectly done, but the rest of the characters just seemed just to 'get on with it' after it had happened. Even Chewbacca and Leia just walked past each other after the Millennium Falcon returned to the rebel base!!?? There were a couple of moments of 'sadness' from Leia and Chewbacca but it just wasn't enough after seeing the sagas most popular character killed in such a horrible way and even then at the hands of his own son who we find out that his real name is actually Ben.
Anyway, I just cannot wait for Episode VIII now that JJ Abrams has set up so many things in this film. I read recently that Episode VIII will be completely different from any Star Wars film that has been before and that is exactly the RIGHT thing to do. I think its safe to say that Daisy Ridley and John Boyega will be front and centre in Episode VIII, but PLEASE give Mark Hamill lots more to do in Episode VIII and Don't kill him off!!! I would also like to see a Force ghost in the form of a popular little green fella. I also hope we get plenty more of Oscar Isaac's Poe Dameron as well who will be a great replacement for Han Solo.
All in all and just like Jurassic World, this sequel has given fans like me reason to believe in Star Wars again while at the same time is going to bring us something new. A brilliant sequel and it was exactly what I hoped for. Roll on Episode VIII!!!!