Wonderfully enjoyable but overly derivative

Rating: Null/10 (20 December 2015)

In the beginning, we had what we learned was to be a middle trilogy (1977-1983). Then, after a long wait of 16 years, we had the prequel triptych (1999-2005). Now, after a delay of another 10 years which has been particularly painful for fans to endure, we arrive at the beginning of the sequel triplet. George Lucas, who conceived the whole project and directed and wrote four of the six previous films, is no longer on the scene, having sold the rights to Disney, replaced as guiding spirit by J J Abrams who directed, co-produced and co-wrote. The expectations of fans placed on Abrams have been absolutely immense but this is the man who heroically reinvented the "Star Trek" film franchise. So, has he succeeded? Most assuredly and satisfyingly - but at a certain price.
Set some three decades after the events in "Return Of The Jedi", half a dozen of the middle trilogy's characters are back. Harrison Ford is still charismatic as free-spirited Han Solo; Carrie Fisher struggles a bit as General Leia Organa, the leader of the resistance; and, as for Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker ... well, see the film. Of course, there are lots of new characters.
On the dark side, we have Supreme Leader Snoke (an unrecognisable Andy Serkis), his nefarious aide Kylo Ren (an admirable Adam Driver), and General Hux (Domhnall Gleeson). The dark side was manifest as the Sith in the prequel trilogy, then became the Empire in the central tripytch, and is now known as the First Order - clearly these guys have a branding problem. On the light side, Daisy Ridley - a British actress who is new to the big screen and reminds one of a younger Keira Knightley - is wonderful as the plucky Jakku scavenger Rey, while Latin actor Oscar Isaac is the new 'top gun' Poe Dameron, and there is a fresh droid BB-8. And then there is another new British actor John Boyega, whom we first see as a surprising black face in a white stormtrooper outfit, whose designation FN-2187 is thankfully soon simplified to Finn.
From the opening seconds to the dramatic conclusion, this is an immensely entertaining work with lots of action and excitement and plenty of humour. We are back to the tone, elements of plot, and even some actual shots from the original central trilogy. This is perhaps not a surprise, since J J Abrams successfully rebooted the "Star Trek" franchise by making his two films somewhat derivative of earlier movies and Lawrence Kasdan, lead writer on "The Force Awakens", also scripted "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Return Of The Jedi". Abrams and Kasdan could have been bolder in presenting a more original storyline, but they have set the scene admirably to do so in the next two movies and have a wonderful new young cast to take matters forward to new heights.