Even to a non Star Wars devotee, however, I must confess the film hits hard. Those scrolling opening credits, set to that John Williams score, does strike right between the ribcage of all us once-children, and it's great to see Williams still masterfully making the film soar. Even if all we're watching is A New New Hope, the franchise indeed awakens. Even if it weighs in a half hour too long.

By the time the film reaches its climax, you'll find yourself quite satisfied with this reboot. It gives fans of the franchise everything they could possibly hope for -- but it also updates the series for a new generation of viewers, ensuring that the Star Wars brand will continue to enthrall our collective imagination for many more years. 

The Force Awakens is the new beginning by J J Abrams and is satiating enough for the franchise fans.

...the merits outweigh the flaws. The film features one of the most intense lightsabre battles we have seen in the franchise, the humour is well executed throughout, the characters have depth and an engaging background, and for once, the stormtroopers are considerably effective.

Loving Star Wars without reserve isn't an easily justifiable thing, and neither is the fun of The Force Awakens. They are intrinsically linked. To love the original is to love this one. On its own, The Force Awakens probably isn't much. It's not likely to convert anyone, either. But for the rest of us - even the most casual of fans - it fits the bill just fine.

This movie is a win. Whether you choose to watch it in 2D or 3D or IMAX is a choice I leave to you. Whether you choose to watch it at all is a choice Evolution has already made, and this review is not going to influence it one bit. You don't have to be a Star Wars fan to be sucked in by the movie's magnificence. However, if you are not a Star Wars fan then you should re-look at the direction your life has taken.

With a thin derivative story that lacks imagination, director J.J. Abrams’s script, co-written by Lawrence Kasdan and Michael Arndt, is an action-packed drama with a fair amount of humour thrown in. It feels like a rehash of the original trilogy and is a bit disappointing. But with unexpected twists and revisiting some old characters makes, the narration interesting.

It all comes together nicely as the actors breathe vulnerability, fallibility and personality into their roles, with Daisy Ridley being quite the commanding presence. My favourite, hands down, is the cute and rotund droid BB-8.