"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" is Finally Here! - SPOILER FREE REVIEW

    * First and foremost this is a SPOILER-FREE REVIEW! However, emotional reactions will be discussed. For the first time ever I will be posting a SPOILER REVIEW next week, simply because this movie has so much to talk about. This review will probably seem vague, because it's hard not to talk about it without spoiling anything. But in the case of this review, fear not and read on! *

   I remember a year ago when the first teaser trailer dropped for "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" how excited I was to finally see something about this movie! I also remember thinking "We still have to wait a year for this?!" Well, the wait is finally over! The marketing for the movie was amazing in that every trailer that they dropped gave us more of the tone of the film and really nothing about what the film's plot would be. Even that last trailer with all its action and awesome moments left me saying "Holy crap that looks amazing! But, what the heck is it about?!" Speculations simmered throughout the interwebs and theories were born out of the littlest of details. Let me just say, (this is the closest I'll get to SPOILER territory, but really it isn't a spoiler): whatever you thought you knew from speculation and fan theory about the movie, you were wrong; and you'll be happy you were!

   I can't express in words how elated I am with this movie! For starters, this film is a cinematic experience. For the first time in years, I left my house hours early in order to stand in line to get quality seating for this epic adventure. I had bought my tickets way in advanced and stood waiting with fellow brothers and sisters of nerddom for what will surely be the biggest movie event of the year. I remember as a kid watching the original trilogy and being whisked away in its mysticism and adventure. They helped shape a love for movies that still burns savagely today. Then, the prequels came out. I think it's safe to say that they lack tremendously in comparison to the originals. I even tried watching them this week in preparation for "The Force Awakens" and I couldn't make it through Episode 1. I just skipped to the end and watched the Darth Maul fight. Then, proceeded to Episodes 4-6.

   Now, we have the start of a new trilogy. With George Lucas out of the picture, and the masterful whip of Disney behind the machine that is Star Wars, new possibilities await. I'm sure what I have to say about this movie has already been said by many others even before the movie came out, but this review is simply to get my emotions and thoughts down in order to process it with you. I'll be going deeper in my review next week. So, without further rambling, I suppose it's time I get to reviewing. I posted last night on social media from my seat as the credits rolled and the tears of joy welled within my blessed eyes: "Initial thought after watching Star Wars: The Force Awakens - Thank you J.J. Abrams! Thank you!" And it's true. What J.J. Abrams did with this movie was nothing short of brilliance. He deserves as much credit as can be given. For the first time we have a Star Wars movie that was made by a legitimate fan, not someone previously connected to the material from a creative or business standpoint. The guy is a huge fan, and because of that he initially turned down the job. After some convincing on Disney's part (God bless you), he decided to do it and will forever be cemented in history for it.

 
 "The Force Awakens" feels more like the original trilogy than the prequels, and that's the first of many positive things about it. No more will pointless CGI and wooden acting plague our Star Wars universe! Visually speaking, this movie is a spectacle to behold. Abrams returns to a Star Wars universe that consists of practical effects, practical creatures, and practical sets. Yes, there is CGI in the movie, but that's inevitable. Unlike the prequels, however, it wasn't used to tell the story but to enhance the story. From the opening moments with BB-8 (the soccer ball droid that has taken the hearts of the world) we gain a sense of what this movie is going to feel like. That's what was so amazing about the original trilogy, to Lucas' credit. By adding such a high level of realism only serves to heighten the story. That in and of itself, regardless of story, acting, etc., places this movie higher than the CGI barf that is the prequels.

   This movie is extremely fast-paced. From beginning to end, it doesn't let up. Abrams does give us moments to breath and chew on certain things for a bit, but not long enough for us to get bored. There's a lot packed into the 2 hour 16 minute run time, simply because Abrams had to cram in 30 years worth of history - while also establishing new characters, arcs and worlds - without it seeming too much to handle. Within the first few minutes you really get the tone of what the movie is going to be like. This is probably the funniest Star Wars movie of the lot, and that's not a bad thing. Like in "Empire Strikes Back" the comedy came from the characters and served the movie, not lending itself to unnecessary moments. Same goes for this movie. The characters are what drives the story, drives the action, and drives the comedy. Oh my gosh, the action! So much action! So much AWESOME action! The dogfights with X-Wings and TIE-Fighters, ground battles, etc! Everything feels real due to the practical effects. It's jaw-dropping at times!

   Again, the characters are what drives this whole thing, like I mentioned before, and J.J. does a fantastic job at integrating the old while establishing the new. This movie is a definite "passing-of-the-torch" type film in many ways, predominantly with the characters. Finn (John Boyega) is a Storm Trooper who sees the rising First Order (a shadow of the old Empire) as something to avoid and decides to jump ship basically. He meets Resistance Fighter Pilot Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) and scavenger Rey (Daisy Ridley) and their adventure begins. Boyega brings most of the comedy, next to BB-8. You can just tell that he's pumped to be in a Star Wars movie because he brings so much energy to the character, which works brilliantly. Finn is extremely likable and his arc is intriguing to say the least. Poe Dameron is the slickest, coolest guy in the galaxy and Oscar Isaac is awesome in this role!

 
   Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher reprise their roles as Han Solo and Leia (now General Leia) and are wonderful. They really connect back to their characters flawlessly without feeling like actors-trying-to-play-roles. They are, respectively, Han Solo and Leia. That all being said, Daisy Ridley steals the freakin' show. Rey is such an interesting character, who's story takes a turn I didn't see coming. Plucked from the nothing-sphere, Daisy Ridley is an unknown in the most known cinematic universe and is brilliant in this movie. Her expressions, her level of charisma and chemistry with the cast is truly amazing. She's the brightest star in this galaxy of awesomeness. I almost forgot! Adam Driver plays Kylo Ren, a formidable force in the film. Kylo Ren is an interesting character and Driver is wonderful in his portrayal. I'll just stop there with him.

   There are some twists and turns in the movie that are fun and really propel the emotional level of this piece. The premise, surprisingly enough, is very similar to that of the original Star Wars. Thirty years after the defeat of the Galactic Empire, a new threat arises. The First Order attempts to rule the galaxy and only a rag-tag group of heroes can stop them, along with the help of the Resistance. Sound familiar? Now don't worry, this isn't a reboot. This movie does a great job at hearkening back to the original magic of the first trilogy, both in story and its telling. Yes, similar plot points are used but in a way that seems fresh, fun, and all its own. This movie had the task of re-introducing us to the Star Wars we all know and love as well as set up new characters and new adventures. At the heart of the film are the characters, the new ones primarily. There's quite a bit of homage given to the originals, but not to the point that it distracts from the story. There's never really a moment where you feel taken out of the movie, which is a credit to the filmmakers. The biggest question the world seemed to have leading up to the movie's release is "Where is Luke Skywalker?" Like I said, this is a spoiler-free review, so all I will say on this matter is yes, he's in the movie.

   Look, in a nutshell, this movie was all I wanted it to be and more. From its practicality to its wonderful story, to the epic John Williams score, it's a Christmas treat come early. That being said it's in no way a perfect movie. There are some great side characters we only get snippets of and there are moments that seemed a teensy bit rushed, but we don't need it to be perfect. It does its job. It's an epic space adventure that fits perfectly within the universe originally created back in the 70s. It will invigorate the fan base who has been reeling from the disappointing prequels and for those 6 people in the world who have never seen Star Wars, it will appeal to them as well. J.J. put Star Trek back on the map and did so with finesse and brilliance. He's done it again with The Force Awakes. Episode 7 is what you would want from a Star Wars movie, and I can't wait to go watch it again!