Possibly the most highly anticipated film of the year, The Force Awakens most definitely lives up to expectations. J. J. Abrams' continuation of the original Star Wars trilogy possesses all of the fun, comedic elements that make up a great action-adventure film, and definitely aims to please the fans.
Set 30 years after The Return of the Jedi, the film revolves around new lead characters Finn (John Boyega) and Rey (Daisy Ridley) as they are dragged into the conflict between The Resistance and The First Order, and embark on a highly important mission to locate the last jedi, Luke Skywalker.
The amazing thing about The Force Awakens is that it is faithful to the original trilogy - the score is spot on, instantly evoking the feeling of previous films, and even from the first few moments it's incredibly nostalgic. There aren't many films that will leave you smiling all the way through, but this is one of them. Of course, the casting of Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher to reprise their roles just makes it even better. Ford's performance as Han Solo is as compelling as ever, and the return of the dynamic duo of Solo and Chewbacca instantly lifts the spirits.Amongst the original cast members, Abrams also throws in the new talent of John Boyega and Daisy Ridley, who play Finn and Rey, respectively. These new characters are really quite likeable, and the performances from these two relatively unknown actors are just as energetic as the tried and tested original cast members. These two were the perfect choice to breathe new life into the franchise.
The greatest strength of The Force Awakens is it's tone. There is a perfect mix of action, comedy and likeable characters that draws you in and leaves you grinning throughout all 135 minutes, and it just doesn't let up. Fans will be overjoyed to find that there are plenty of references to previous films, and there are even some scenes that are incredibly similar to those in earlier instalments. The pacing is also ideal, with the narrative progressing at a fast pace and the film moving swiftly from set piece to set piece. Admittedly, there are a few dangling plot threads, but given that this is just the beginning of what may be a fabulous trilogy, there is plenty of opportunity for them to be cleared up. All in all, The Force Awakens is a funny, light-hearted family action-adventure film, the likes of which have been absent from cinemas for too long.
Abrams has done an great job rejuvenating the Star Wars franchise. With it's fast pace, likeable characters, and comedic elements, this is a film that fans will love.
