Review of Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) by Peteralexander — 18 Dec 2015

Star Wars is back, and it’s back in spectacular fashion. After the opening crawl, the opening few shots and the first character interactions, I knew that Star Wars was back. The story is fast paced, humorous, visually stunning and emotionally gripping, ensuring director JJ Abrams and writer Lawrence Kasdan have successfully returned us to a galaxy far, far away.

Whilst each member of the original cast was brilliant, it was the new cast that stole the show, particularly Daisy Ridley’s portrayal of Rey, and Adam Driver’s terrifyingly powerful yet human display of Kylo Ren.

Such characters were subject to magical settings and themes and more fantastical elements displayed than ever before, and it was brilliant. Whilst no film is perfect, demonstrated as a few characters were underdeveloped and will hopefully play a bigger role in future acts, no character is expendable however and whether they are on screen for thirty seconds or an hour, each has a part to play in the progression of the story.

The magic of the force, the magic of the lightsaber, the magic of aliens and starships, the magic of the Star Wars blockbuster, the magic has all returned and promises to thrive for years to come. The Force Awakens exceeds all expectations, and with perhaps one of the most emotional and spectacular final shot’s in any film to date, the audience is left both wanting to immediately watch the movie again and wanting to watch Episode 8.

After years of anxious waiting, and years of positive signs we can finally confirm, JJ Abrams has done it. Star Wars is back.