The original Star Wars releases were the first films that I genuinely loved as a child growing up.
I’m probably (OK, definitely) not alone in that fact, so any new Star Wars offering was always going to be a really big deal worldwide.
The worry for many was that new director JJ Abrams would produce something akin to the more maligned prequel trilogy rather the much-loved originals.
We needn’t have worried, though. The Force Awakens manages to find the sweet spot between paying homage to Episodes 4-6 and introducing a host of new characters that are all brilliant additions to one of film’s richest universes.
Simply put, it’s an absolute joy to watch – and is easily one of the best films of 2015.
Normally in these reviews I provide you with a spoiler free run-down of the plot and offer my musings.
But, given just how popular Star Wars is, I’d be devastated if I somehow ruined anybody’s experience by revealing even the smallest of details.
What I will do is tell you exactly why Episode 7 comfortably deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as the original trilogy.
For starters we’ve got a host of much-loved characters returning to the fold.
Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher all reprise their roles as Han Solo, Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia, respectively, while Chewbacca, C3PO and R2D2 also feature.
The legends all have roles to play, with Ford’s Han Solo and his old buddy ‘Chewy’ the most prominent.
Solo’s time on screen is massively enjoyable and he’s perfectly believable as an older version of his iconic character. It’s great to see Fisher’s Leia back on screen, too.
However, to say anything about Hamill’s return as Luke, would seriously spoil your experience, so I’ll leave that bit well alone.
Seeing such iconic roles being reprised was a genuine thrill for me – and it never once felt forced.
You’ll be amazed just how good the new characters are, too. The relatively unknown Daisy Ridley is an absolute revelation as Rey, a scavenger living on the planet of Jakku.
She’s the main hero of The Force Awakens for me, as she finds herself on the kind of space journey she’d seemingly always dreamed of.
Also playing key roles are John Boyega’s Finn and Oscar Isaac’s Poe Dameron.
Both bring grit and humour to the table – and they enjoy one of the more unlikely Star Wars ‘chance meetings’ I can remember.
The new droid BB-8 is also a genuine star of the film. You’ll have no doubt seen the football-shaped robot in much of the pre-movie advertising – and he’s wonderfully entertaining.
For every new hero, there’s also a fresh villain.
Leading the way is the incredible Kylo Ren, who is comfortably the best Star Wars villain created since Darth Vader. He’s everything I wanted Anakin to be in the prequel films – scary and imposing while also being petulant and vulnerable.
Simply put, Adam Driver’s performance as the lead bad guy is awesome.
Domhnall Gleeson’s General Hux, Gwendoline Christie’s Captain Phasma and Andy Serkis’s Supreme Leader Snoke aren’t as well explored as Ren, but all are brilliant additions to the evil new regime known as The First Order.
Star Wars looks sensational, too. The battles are incredibly immersive, especially in 3D. It’s hard to think of a film that I’ve ever been so visually impressed by.
The trademark Star Wars soundtrack and effects also help add to the nostalgia.
But this isn’t a tribute act. The Force Awakens does borrow plenty from the originals, but brings more than enough new material to the table. A few die-hard fans may question the lightsaber duels, but other than that I genuinely can’t pick fault with Abrams’ work here.
It’s the Star Wars film this generation needed – and the Star Wars film older generations have long craved.
And for that, it gets the first 10/10 I’ve given since I started reviewing films almost two years ago.
Voice Verdict: 10/10 (reviewed at Boston’s West End Cinema)
+ Vintage Star Wars feel
+ Great new and old characters
+ Kylo Ren
+ Visually amazing
