Star Wars: The Force Awakens is the movie it was promised to be, with great new characters, a respect for the original trilogy and a strong understanding of what makes this franchise click with fans.

But in the end it matters not, this review. See the film, you probably will. See the film, you should.

Not only expert homage for the fans but a first-rate, energised piece of mega-Hollywood adventure, the hugely anticipated ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ stirs more to life than just The Force.

If you’ve seen a Star Wars offering before, you don’t need to be told you should watch The Force Awakens. But in the event you haven’t, there is good reason you should. The force, as goes the adage, is super strong with this one.

Hits the right notes & won’t disappoint fans…

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. 

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.

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.

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

…a bona-fide film, referencing the original pop-culture behemoth, and renewing it, with some energy and vim.

Smartly paced and full of wit characteristic of the series, this film is a copybook exercise in storytelling. There are holes in the script and obvious McGuffins but while the film lasts, you are prepared to ignore them. As it ends, you are already waiting for its sequel and some answers. You want to see the character arc of people both old and new because Abrams has etched them in your memory. He has created a whole new world which may be derivative but hey, we will be more than happy to live in it.

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.

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.

…is fun while it lasts and a welcome opportunity to meet old friends, but the series might need something more radical if it doesn’t want to be lost in a sea of franchise films.

…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.

This one is strongly written, well-structured and sets a strong basis for more to come. It’s an exhilarating ride certain to get the fans in a tizzy!

The storytelling is top notch. It’s a carefully-crafted dance of nuance that balances a bit of everything. The set pieces are spectacular and then of course, there are the lightsaber battles… The Force is indeed, epic with this one. Don’t miss it.