Title: Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)

Director: J.J Abrams (Star Trek)

Cast: Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Adam Driver, Harrison Ford, Oscar Isaac, Carrie Fisher, Domhnall Gleeson, Lupita Nyong’o, Mark Hamill

Plot: Set 30 years after Return of the Jedi, lowly scrap collector Rey (Ridley) and new friend Finn (Boyega) find themselves involved in a fight to save the universe that involves a few familiar (if slightly more wearied) faces from times of old.

“There’s been an awakening. Have you felt it? The Dark side, and the Light“

Review by Eddie on 18/12/2015

For Jordan’s take on The Force Awakens click here

(This below review is based on the IMAX 3D version of the film)

Star Wars fans, and fans of baggage free thrill ride blockbusters for all ages rejoice, as not only is the Force Awakens the return to the galaxy far far away we’ve been waiting these many long years for, this is a Star Wars film that is arguably the most well made of the entire beloved series.

Master of entertainment J.J Abram’s film is an event that puts many other big budget extravaganzas to shame with a near perfectly paced and plotted narrative, rip roaring old school action that molds the new with the old seamlessly, a heavy doseage of humour among the emotion and a general sense of fun that flows through the very veins of Abrams and associates love letter to one of cinemas most liked properties.

With what seemed like the worlds expectations waiting with baited breathe on its shoulders, The Force Awakens successes of blending the old with the new and paying remembrances to past glories while also crafting its own is quite the feat, and while it may not rip the rule book up and craft a totally unexpected or even an overly original story (a slight gripe is the ‘dark sides’ new major weapon which seems far too like devices of old), Star Wars has never been the film to craft a unique story of good vs evil, rather put it in a special place with unique characters, which The Force Awakens once more does to great effect.

The original films found themselves so adored thanks to the rise of Luke Skywalker, the feistiness of Princess Leia, the friendship and adventures of the Millennium Falcon’s Han Solo and Chewie and the battle they faced to save the universe, and while all old cast mates from the films return here and do so extremely successfully in varying degrees of screen time (Han and Chewie especially, as they threaten to steal the show with their on point repertoire), Abrams has found a willing and effective batch of newcomers that will undoubtedly lead the property forward in an exciting way.

While they may not be as instantly iconic as the first time we saw the Lukes, the Leias or the Hans, Daisy Ridley’s determined and resourceful Rey, John Boyega’s good natured Finn, Adam Drivers fearsome yet somehow sad big bad Kylo Ren and thankfully even the lovable and not overused BB8 quickly become new members of the universe that we can get to know, love and loathe. Its great to rest on the fact that as our treasured original cast become far to old to continue their intergalactic battles, these newest members of the series will be taking over the drivers seat as seen sometimes quite literally in this film.

Particular mention must be made of Ridley and her turn as Rey. It’s a star making turn and also a brave directional decision from the filmmakers to hand the mantle to a genuine unknown, but both the actress and character are fantastic. Driver on the other hand is now a well known talent and his Kylo is a volatile, short tempered and even vulnerable villain that may alienate some fans but win an equal amount of new ones, and every time he is on screen the film sizzles and his lightsaber is all types of epic.

In regards purely to the story Abrams, Michael Arndt and series veteran Lawrence Kasdan have crafted, there really is nothing overly new here but it’s done in such a fun, fast-paced and often breathtaking manner that it quite truly doesn’t matter. There’s moments to make the audience clap, cheer, jeer and even shed a tear and a few fabulously designed scenes and scenarios that will be sure to bring those goose-bump chills. It’s also a film that suits itself to little pre-knowledge, so going in with little knowledge of the story will make the experience that much more enjoyable.

The Force Awakens is far from perfect, yet when we take off our rose tinted glasses and forgo all nostalgia are any of the Star Wars films?

The Force Awakens has delivered on the unparalleled hype and the high expectations that have encompassed it from the day it was announced from all corners of the globe, and managed to be the film long serving fans, more recent appreciators and fresh recruits can all be taken away by.

The force is indeed strong with this one, so let the countdown begin for the next exciting chapter in this now safely back on track saga that looks set to live long and prosperously for years to come yet.

4 1/2 Mad Dogs out of 5

P.S – For Aussie Star Wars fans how cool is this! A great new way to enjoy breakfast over the Summer break and a unique Star Wars product in amongst the abundance of new merchandise that has hit our streets –

Kellogg’s Australia has teamed up with Disney and Lucas films to bring Star Wars action to breakfast time with a limited edition range. The new cereal is inspired by Star Wars and features some of the most iconic characters from across the seven films. The cereal hit shelves in early December, just in time for the release of the new movie, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and will be in store until July 2016.

The cereal consists of Star Wars inspired chocolate flavoured wheat and rice stars and moon shapes  and has received a four-star health rating. The packs with cost RRP $4.99 and are sold exclusively at Woolworths.