Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures | Release Date: December 18, 2015
6.7
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 7984 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
5,073
Mixed:
1,217
Negative:
1,694
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User scoreBy dateMost helpful
8
skumancerJan 4, 2018
A fun movie, which sets up the series well for the future, even though it's a bit generic and repetitive (in the larger sense of the Star Wars world).

As a former Lucasfilm employee, I feel this respects Star Wars and keeps the series goingA fun movie, which sets up the series well for the future, even though it's a bit generic and repetitive (in the larger sense of the Star Wars world).

As a former Lucasfilm employee, I feel this respects Star Wars and keeps the series going in a good direction.… Expand
0 of 2 users found this helpful02
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8
VasotDec 18, 2015
Pretty good but not epic as the first trilogy. At least better from the previous trilogy and without awful childish characters like Jar Jar Binks. I overally enjoyed even if it was not that original.
6 of 28 users found this helpful622
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8
alex2542Dec 18, 2015
All I can say is it's pretty clear that the people that didn't like TFA clearly flocked to metacritic to try to be as anti-hype as possible. Every positive vote review is getting a ton of unhelpful votes, and all the negative ones are gettingAll I can say is it's pretty clear that the people that didn't like TFA clearly flocked to metacritic to try to be as anti-hype as possible. Every positive vote review is getting a ton of unhelpful votes, and all the negative ones are getting unhelpful reviews right off the bat. Kinda silly.

I liked it. Characters were fun, action was good, visuals were great...I did a full review elsewhere so I don't feel like getting into the pros and cons or even my full review. It's not perfect but it's a hell of a lot better than the prequels.… Expand
140 of 186 users found this helpful14046
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8
NigelJan 19, 2016
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. What a ride. Within a couple of thrilling hours all memory of the prequels are well and truly laid to rest. The Force Awakens recaptures the core feeling and experience of the original trilogy in spades, whilst introducing refreshing new characters, locations and concepts.

Daisy Ridley and John Boyega are two magnificent acting talents to be leading the franchise into the future, and Rey is the perfect female lead Star Wars so desperately needed to bring the films into the 21st century. The dynamic between her, Finn and Poe is electric, and Poe's contribution to proceedings will hopefully grow as the trilogy plays out; he seems a real gem of a character already.

Adam Driver plays perhaps a more interesting and layered version of Darth Vader in Kylo Ren, displaying the internal conflict of a transition to the dark side through his fine acting. Those moments Ren lashes out in rage at control panels and electrical equipment with his crackling cross-guard lightsaber are shocking to say the least and show us we have an unpredictable and inexperienced villain who is clearly going through a very rough time mentally. The reveal that Ren is in fact the son of Han and Leia is tragic, and one I didn't see coming. If anyone was in any doubt as to whether he could live up to Vader as a central villain, those doubts would have been shattered the moment he slayed the Star Wars fan favourite, his own father. Although perhaps an unpopular turning point, this scene will surely prove to shape the events of the next two films and gives the audience reason to hate Ren even more than they did Vader.

The set design and props for the film are stunning and prove old filming techniques and methods still have a vital role to play in modern cinema. Some of the creature animatronics were unbelievable in intricacy and seeing the Millennium Falcon in all its glory once more was worth the ticket price alone.

The lightsaber duels felt weighty and grounded in reality, with the inexperience and vulnerability of the lightsaber users clearly evident. A scene involving a lightsaber-wielding Finn getting beaten by a furious stormtrooper and his staff was one of the standout moments of the movie and dared to venture into new Star Wars territory.

Although certain scenes felt unnecessary or too long (the rathtars attacking the Falcon springs to mind immediately) The Force Awakens takes it's audience on a journey back to the space opera 70s but also on a path to the future of this expansive universe. I went into the cinema with incredibly high expectations and was not disappointed. Christmas 2017 cannot come sooner. Luke might even get a line this time!… Expand
7 of 27 users found this helpful720
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8
TokyochuchuDec 26, 2015
Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens is a very entertaining Star Wars movie. It isn't as good as the originals but is far superior to the prequels. The film feels over-familiar in a lot of ways but fresh and exciting in others. MostStar Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens is a very entertaining Star Wars movie. It isn't as good as the originals but is far superior to the prequels. The film feels over-familiar in a lot of ways but fresh and exciting in others. Most importantly, it sets a strong foundation from where Star Wars can go anywhere. Episode VIII can't come soon enough!… Expand
6 of 43 users found this helpful637
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8
fitchbuckDec 28, 2015
Unfortunately, the euphoric high I felt leaving the theater was not to be sustained. Sure the thrill ride this flick takes you on is like no other; the best sound/motion company in the world saw to that! This was the first movie of the lotUnfortunately, the euphoric high I felt leaving the theater was not to be sustained. Sure the thrill ride this flick takes you on is like no other; the best sound/motion company in the world saw to that! This was the first movie of the lot where you actually felt & understood the size / feel of the craft [esp. x-wing, tie-fighter], with very little CGI muddying the waters. And watching in a theater with reclining leather seats & superb sound only added a notch to the headboard.

But as I began to contemplate the obvious problems [ie. Carrie Fisher's absolutely wooden performance, akin to Karen Allen's laughable appearance in Kingdom of the Crystal Skull; is it me or was Leia botoxed beyond reproach?], some other outlier issues rose to the surface. Why another death star? Why another father-son conflict? Another sand planet? Was supreme leader snoke an offspring of gollum and voldemort? Why was the stormtrooper ladycaptain such a pushover? And why oh why would Kylo Ren display such wussiness at the end when he was so powerful in the beginning?

Many more questions need to be answered, although I'm not sure we can completely fault Abrams here ... as it may have been Disney's writing team who drummed up some of these doldrums. The largest underlying problem felt to be the weighing down of the new with the old. Hopefully in the upcoming sagas, the writing teams leech out most of the old ... as this fresh core of actors more than held their own here.
In the end, my emotions were tied more to the special effects than the rehashed storyline or even most of the human drama. I certainly didn't feel surprised or remorse when one of the big names goes down. As any individual born in 1970: the original SW released right in my wheelhouse, and I know many of my classmates will be eternally tied to that first trilogy.

I certainly won't be one of the ones found saying this is the best Star Wars ever. B+… Expand
6 of 30 users found this helpful624
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8
SuperKevDec 18, 2015
I loved this movie. YES there are some plot elements from the original 3 Star Wars films but this movie is extremely well done. One could argue this is better than any previous Star Wars film. The action is Indiana Jones'ish. The productionI loved this movie. YES there are some plot elements from the original 3 Star Wars films but this movie is extremely well done. One could argue this is better than any previous Star Wars film. The action is Indiana Jones'ish. The production qualities are certainly better than any previous edition by a large margin. It has the feel of the original 3 which is great. I got to recapture some of that magic of my younger days today.… Expand
14 of 64 users found this helpful1450
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8
drlowdonDec 18, 2015
The Force Awakens isn't without it issues, including a fair number of plot holes and convenient occurrences, but after the much maligned sequels that were downright dull at times Episode VII sees the franchise return to form. The cast, bothThe Force Awakens isn't without it issues, including a fair number of plot holes and convenient occurrences, but after the much maligned sequels that were downright dull at times Episode VII sees the franchise return to form. The cast, both old and new, are great (particularly Daisy Ridley, in what amounts to the lead role) and the mix of action, plot exposition and humour is pretty much spot on.

It's hard to imagine too many people not being entertained by what's on offer here.… Expand
11 of 50 users found this helpful1139
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8
thevaliantDec 30, 2015
Seven or eight?

In the end it squeaks an eight. As a non Star Wars fan (still not seen either Empire Strikes Back or Return of the Jedi all the way through though my other half dragged me to the poor prequels) I have to say I wasSeven or eight?

In the end it squeaks an eight. As a non Star Wars fan (still not seen either Empire Strikes Back or Return of the Jedi all the way through though my other half dragged me to the poor prequels) I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. Harrison Ford really does well but good turns by the actress who plays Reay and the main baddie do make the film worthwhile.

The right amount of humour, action and quieter moments really drew me in. Good job not breaking it!… Expand
2 of 28 users found this helpful226
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8
grandpajoe6191Dec 20, 2015
Having been whistled up in the Star Wars universe myself when I was a child, I did a little pre-screening research on the film. Out of all the trailers and interviews that were done on the movie there was one in particular, an interview doneHaving been whistled up in the Star Wars universe myself when I was a child, I did a little pre-screening research on the film. Out of all the trailers and interviews that were done on the movie there was one in particular, an interview done with director J.J. Abrams, that stuck out to me. Having written the script himself with the help of Lawrence Kasdan, the mastermind behind arguably the best Star Wars film "The Empire Strikes Back", Abrams said that the movie was going back to its original roots and the whole film was basically a faithful recreation of the space magic George Lucas had once shown us. After watching the film, I couldn’t agree more or less with his statement. “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” is an embodiment of the original trilogy (the good ones of course) that we all got to love and worship and, furthermore, is a testament to the fact that regardless of the crazy hype and commercialization the old sci-fi space adventure franchise still stands firm through the ages, enough for audiences of all shapes and sizes to thoroughly enjoy and be happy with. Let’s be clear with this; I’m not saying the movie breaks any new ground. Character and plot development is still a bit rushed and shallow, as well as glimpses of the infamous corny dialogue still stick out now and then during the course of the film. But then again, I can’t say this is a terrible film either. The heart-pumping action, the beautiful music, the grandiose scenery, and the endless imagination that lifted Star Wars to legendary heights are all there and flawlessly executed. Overall, "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" is a true Star Wars film right down to the bone marrow, with all the pros and cons of its original predecessors. Director J.J. Abrams, like he did with the Mission Impossible and Star Trek series, blows off the dust of an old series and refines it with a movie good enough for both Star Wars manias and average joes to run for a giddy old-fashioned space ride. Nothing new is discovered, but truly the force is still strong with this one. Enjoy!… Expand
163 of 217 users found this helpful16354
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8
jurrabiDec 21, 2015
I would never stop to get amazed over how people need the feel to convince the rest of their convictions... You liked the movie.. .great for you! You didn't... so don't go any more?

What entitles anyone to what a Star Wars movie should be?I would never stop to get amazed over how people need the feel to convince the rest of their convictions... You liked the movie.. .great for you! You didn't... so don't go any more?

What entitles anyone to what a Star Wars movie should be? This is what it is... If you liked it, I guess it is best for you because you payed for it...

If you don't... well, I'll have to guess you were predisposed to hate this one, because I feel that it delivers exactly what people wanted... Episode IV again with new characters and XXI century effects. That's it... No more no less...

But I don't need to convince anybody of anything. I liked it, I enjoyed it, and I will probably watch it again just for the pleasure of watching xwings near water...… Expand
3 of 21 users found this helpful318
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8
LJHayesDec 21, 2015
Two things were inevitable with this film. The first is that you would get people who blindly loved this film just because it's a star wars film that's not one of the prequels and the second was that there would be people who blindly hate itTwo things were inevitable with this film. The first is that you would get people who blindly loved this film just because it's a star wars film that's not one of the prequels and the second was that there would be people who blindly hate it just because it's a star wars film that isn't one of the originals.
But once you get past the fanboy obsession what we have here is really well put together movie. The new cast are remarkably likable from the outset, each of these actors has a bright career ahead of them. Finn and Rey get the most screen time and there's a lot of passion and charisma behind their performances which is helped even more by the great chemistry they have together.
Poe Dameron has a more understated role but I enjoyed every minute he was on screen. I'm assuming he'll get a bigger part in the future, or at least I hope so.
The new villains are exactly what they need to be as well with Kylo Ren being the most intruiging. This film kind of sets a stage of Finn, Rey and Poe vs Ren, Hux and Phasma which I am totally on board with!
Story wise, there's no way around it, this film is very derivative of the original trilogy. Some plot points are literally exactly the same. But it's done with so much charm and respect for the originals that I honestly don't care, I'm just enjoying myself too much!
Basically this film is not perfect but it does so much more right than it does wrong. It's pretty much the kind of film star wars fans have been pining for for far too long and after decades of waiting we finally have another good star wars film and a building block for an awesome continued series that I can't wait for.… Expand
5 of 24 users found this helpful519
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8
Tremor2005Dec 18, 2015
Sometimes the best way to decide if you like a film is how good you feel walking out of the cinema; and I had a big grin on my face. The new characters were very engaging, the action sequences thrilling (I particularly enjoyed the sequence onSometimes the best way to decide if you like a film is how good you feel walking out of the cinema; and I had a big grin on my face. The new characters were very engaging, the action sequences thrilling (I particularly enjoyed the sequence on Hans' ship) and many a laugh out loud moment (Chewie and BB8 having particular moments). Some marks taken off for a slightly rushed final sequence and perhaps an overly-similar plot to Episode IV but these were far outweighed by the positives.
The most Star Wars-y Star Wars film ever; including the originals.… Expand
143 of 190 users found this helpful14347
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8
BroofistDec 18, 2015
Everything about the film feels right, but the plot is weak. Should Finn really be able to use a lightsaber to defend himself against a guy who trained under Luke Skywalker? The scenery, camera work, and action sequences are perfectlyEverything about the film feels right, but the plot is weak. Should Finn really be able to use a lightsaber to defend himself against a guy who trained under Luke Skywalker? The scenery, camera work, and action sequences are perfectly executed, but the overall story is not how I envisioned it. It's slightly disappointing as a person who grew up watching the originals constantly, but I understand, and can tolerate the use of tried and true gimmicks and plot lines. I can't help but feel the same way I felt during the second and third Hobbit movies, primarily, that they need to find the balance between innovation and what works already. Hopefully the second movie can infuse some new life, since they wrapped the first one up so(probably too) neatly.… Expand
13 of 35 users found this helpful1322
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8
BasilZeroDec 13, 2017
Star Wars Episode VII The Force Awakens focuses on Nostalgia of the original trilogy using elements and aspects from the original trilogy to introduce both old and new characters. The original storyline parts mesh well with borrowed aspects,Star Wars Episode VII The Force Awakens focuses on Nostalgia of the original trilogy using elements and aspects from the original trilogy to introduce both old and new characters. The original storyline parts mesh well with borrowed aspects, Disney played safe for sure when making the movie, regardless it came out well. Although some of the new acting choices are questionable, its still an enjoyable beginning of a new trilogy.

Both new and old Star Wars fans will enjoy this new addition to the Star Wars universe.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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8
csw12Dec 22, 2015
A film that will satisfy the fans while providing pure entertainment to the rest. Not a masterpiece or something that hasn't been seen before but Star Wars: The Force Awakens was enjoyable throughout with great action and a convincing score.
16 of 52 users found this helpful1636
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8
potatoes351Dec 19, 2015
It was questionable whether we would ever have a Star Wars film set after the ends of Return of the Jedi. However after Disney purchased the mega franchise from creator George Lucas fans were treated to the announcement of a new Star WarsIt was questionable whether we would ever have a Star Wars film set after the ends of Return of the Jedi. However after Disney purchased the mega franchise from creator George Lucas fans were treated to the announcement of a new Star Wars trilogy, Episodes VII, VIII and IX.
The Force Awakens, the first major Disney related Star Wars product after the complete wipe of the Lucas era extended universe lore, centres around Rey and Finn as they embark on a quest to find a missing Luke Skywalker. Rey is a scavenger on the planet Jakku and eagerly awaits the return of her parents who left her on the planet when she was a child. Finn was a Stormtrooper for The First Order, a group that rose from the ashes of the Galactic Empire. As the duo meet thanks to a droid containing Skywalkers location, they begin to be hunted down by The First Order and require the help of the Rebellion to survive. Headed by General Leia Organa, the two young heroes aided by Han Solo and Chewbacca take on The First Order and the force sensitive Sith apprentice Kylo Ren; however in the process one of the two begins to find that they themselves can also use the force.

The Force Awakens is very similar to the 1977 original Star Wars. The plot is almost identical and the devices it uses to reel the viewer in are extremely similar, though updated for a 21st century audience. It's a fun Star Wars experience that delivers all it should have done and succeeds in living up to the massive hype built up around the film. However the film also suffers some major issues in terms of explaining how The First order can even exist in a galaxy that is now governed by The New Republic, as well as what role the Rebellion actually has in the galaxy anymore. Not to mention how our force sensitive hero can within one scene become adept in the powers of the force as well as use powers they have never seen used before (such as the mind trick). Plus how our non-force sensitive character can survive a lightsaber battle with antagonist Kylo Ren, let alone cause him to back down and retreat.

It's a great entry point for people new to Star Wars as no prior knowledge of the series is necessary before viewing, as events of the original trilogy are mentioned in passing and the prequel trilogy is never spoken of (rightly so). It also manages to deliver a brilliant new chapter in the Star Wars universe, even if it is just giving a new lick of coat to an old story in many ways. It has it's problems, but I'm sure many of the questionable aspects will be resolved in future fiction. For now, The Force Awakens is a great film and one of the best entries in the series.… Expand
9 of 39 users found this helpful930
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8
SpangleDec 20, 2015
The Force Awakens is a great film. Not only does it brilliantly set up Episodes VIII and IX with some great story material, it has some great characters. Finn, Rey, BB-8, Poe Dameron, General Hux, and especially Kylo Ren, are some seriouslyThe Force Awakens is a great film. Not only does it brilliantly set up Episodes VIII and IX with some great story material, it has some great characters. Finn, Rey, BB-8, Poe Dameron, General Hux, and especially Kylo Ren, are some seriously great characters. Even more, John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Oscar Isaac, Domhnall Gleeson, and Adam Driver, are fantastic actors and do a great job here. I cannot wait to see where the series goes from here. JJ Abrams does a great job blending new and old here by giving diehards the nostalgia they crave and giving the new generation the new adventures they crave. The writing was strong and the special effects were out of this world. The score was great, but should not win the Oscar for Best ORIGINAL Score due to just being a copy-paste of previous Star Wars scores with some new tracks alongside the ones of old. My main problem with Episode IV and then the prequels were the whiny characters and thankfully that is not the case here. At no point are they whiny and this really elevates the film. I think much of the criticism in regards to characterization and story are kind of stupid admittedly because this is the first of a trilogy. Of course nothing feels explained or fleshed out...there is nearly five more hours of story to be told.… Expand
14 of 53 users found this helpful1439
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8
QwertyPJMDec 19, 2015
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Obviously it's all a matter of opinions, however I feel a lot of the extremely high scores for this film are rather reactionary for what is, essentially, a remake of A New Hope. All of the same beats of previous films are there: The rogue apprentice turned to the dark side, the jedi master that trained him who has now hidden himself away, the Death Star at the end of the film (yes, it is just another death star) and, finally, the average hero taken off of a desert planet who discovers they've been in touch with the force this whole time. To top it all off, the twist in the middle of the film is that Ren is related to Luke and Leia, just to borrow some emotional punches from Empire, too. Who'd have thought? The problems in this film are quite noticeable and mostly concern the plot, given that there is simply too much going on at any given time and the audience is never given the time to truly relate and sympathise with what is going on. The Death star sub plot is extremely tacked on and doesn't feel weighty or meaningful, and the film really takes a nosedive around the time Leia is introduced, as suddenly there's so much to do/explain that none of it feels explored to the extent needed to make it have an impact.

Obviously those are some problems I have with the film, however I have given it 8/10, a very good score, for a reason. The two main characters, Finn and Rey, are both interesting and vulnerable, making them relatable. They are acted extremely well by a new crop of actors who seem to have been cast very well indeed. Kylo Ren as a villain was an interesting choice, as he wasn't this almighty being such as Anakin was in the prequels (I still can't get over the Jesus symbolism), he was insecure and weak in some aspects. His inability to separate himself from Vader and become his own villain made me care about his plight and I'm interested to hear his and Luke's backstory. And, unlike Anakin, he wasn't unstoppable. This brings me onto the point of the action. What an improvement over the prequels. Where the prequels went for more choreographed sequences that seemed like performances and didn't actually contain an ounce of tension, the lightsaber battles here were rough, messy and tension filled. Inexperience led to these makeshift and dirty fights that were more about the characters fighting in them than the fight itself. The Falcon chase scene was also brilliant, and looked amazing. Well done, JJ.

Speaking of Abrams, he helmed this film expertly. The cinematography was masterful, as were the locations he chose to film in. Every shot was beautiful, with crisp wide shots and a mix of dark and light locations giving the movie a real visual fidelity. Literally the only issue this film in regards to aesthetics was that one character who was hoarding Luke's saber, she looked so badly CGIed and it took me out of the experience every time she was on screen compared to the impressiveness of practical effects used for everything else. Expectedly, the sound design was also perfect, but was it ever not going to be?

Han's role in this film was better than expected, and his eventual death carried with it a lot of weight, even if it was predictable the minute we discovered Ren was his son. It's undeniable that it was an emotional and very effective moment, as was the film's very last shot of Luke and Rey.

Overall, the film suffers from a lack of original moments under-pining its wonderful environments and characters, and, in typical Abrams fashion, the story moves along at such break neck speed that some glaring and in cohesive elements (or lack thereof) to the story can be glazed over. It's a film best experienced in the moment, and without too much dwelling upon its intricacies and details can be thought of as a very good film, and one that has left us so many questions that I have no doubt in my mind episode 7 will be even better, and worth the wait.… Expand
6 of 26 users found this helpful620
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8
drnickmdDec 19, 2015
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I'm torn between it creating a new universe and new characters and the fact that it was a fun action packed nostalgia ride recreating the same excitement that I felt when I first watched New Hope.
Deep down I wanted Mara, Ben Skywalker, the solo childern (Jaina, Jacen, and Anakin) I wanted the legends universe. I'm just going to be hopeful that will come sometime in the future and embrace this Canon for what it is. At the end I was still drawn in emotionally and excited for the next installment. This movie was fun, had fresh twist built on the foundation of what made the original trilogy great.

An Oscar winner... no, but a fun movie to get set your imagination on fire with "what if"s and "Where will it go"s. If you like Star Wars/sci-fi go see this movie, I know I plan on going again.… Expand
5 of 23 users found this helpful518
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8
ToffenuffFeb 9, 2016
Not as amazing as I expected it to be, but still good and entertaining. Both a strength and weakness is in how heavily it relies on callbacks to the previous films, particularly Episode IV: A New Hope, which it closely mimics in terms ofNot as amazing as I expected it to be, but still good and entertaining. Both a strength and weakness is in how heavily it relies on callbacks to the previous films, particularly Episode IV: A New Hope, which it closely mimics in terms of major plot points and even imagery. The fight scenes are better than I thought they would be, which is great since I'm big into action. The special effects, of course, are lightyears beyond what Lucasarts did with the original trilogy, making the whole thing more believable and immersive.

The biggest strength is undoubtedly the excellent performances of the new characters, in particular Oscar Isaac's Po and Daisy Ridley's Rey. I will admit that I was the least impressed with Boyega's portrayal of Finn. Maybe it is the way the character is written, but it simply did not seem right to me. BB-8 is of course the adorable little robot that everybody wants to have nowadays, and had a number of fun moments.

There are more than a few plot holes, questionable actions by characters, and seemingly dumb plot points that, as a long-time Star Wars fan, I am ready to forgive simply because the overall package was still a good enough beginning to the next saga of Star Wars.… Expand
120 of 160 users found this helpful12040
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8
RafaMondiniJan 3, 2016
One of the best Star Wars movies ever made... but saddly, Rise of Skywalker ruined a movie that should be a 10/10 to me.

This was the first Star Wars movie that made me cry. But it doesn't matter anymore, because after the ending of this newOne of the best Star Wars movies ever made... but saddly, Rise of Skywalker ruined a movie that should be a 10/10 to me.

This was the first Star Wars movie that made me cry. But it doesn't matter anymore, because after the ending of this new trilogy, The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi were thrown in the trash by Kathleen Kennedy or JJ Abrams or whatever was responsible for Episode IX.… Expand
5 of 53 users found this helpful548
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8
phonkJan 2, 2016
J.J. Abrams had an almost impossible task but did very well. While he played it very safe his The Force Awakens is a masterfully done movie and a good start for the rest of the new trilogy. I would rate it the fourth best Star Wars Movie andJ.J. Abrams had an almost impossible task but did very well. While he played it very safe his The Force Awakens is a masterfully done movie and a good start for the rest of the new trilogy. I would rate it the fourth best Star Wars Movie and that's all I hoped for.… Expand
134 of 178 users found this helpful13444
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8
UserScoreDec 28, 2015
Great main characters (Rey, Finn), fantastic action sequences, emotional depth, great music and effects.
Reveal of the villain too premature, weak secondary villain (general hux), too many nods to the original and the movie coul've doneGreat main characters (Rey, Finn), fantastic action sequences, emotional depth, great music and effects.
Reveal of the villain too premature, weak secondary villain (general hux), too many nods to the original and the movie coul've done without poe (oscar isaac).… Expand
5 of 29 users found this helpful524
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8
Ceno_BitesDec 21, 2015
Episode VII satisfyingly drums the nostalgia growing inside lovers of Episodes 4 through 6, while presenting a more realistic image of the Empire's/ First Order's war machine. There are new characters for a new audience and a new time, butEpisode VII satisfyingly drums the nostalgia growing inside lovers of Episodes 4 through 6, while presenting a more realistic image of the Empire's/ First Order's war machine. There are new characters for a new audience and a new time, but the series has some explaining to do with regards to how quickly the Force Awakens in some of these vulnerable new leads. Hopefully it does so while being mindful of its history to avoid jumping the shark visually or with character development . Overall, I like what this is turning into...… Expand
2 of 15 users found this helpful213
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8
RemDec 20, 2015
It retreads much of the same plot points as A New Hope, but The Force Awakens puts its primary focus on character building rather than world building since this is already a universe we are already familiar with. The new characters areIt retreads much of the same plot points as A New Hope, but The Force Awakens puts its primary focus on character building rather than world building since this is already a universe we are already familiar with. The new characters are likeable and while I saw a certain character death from a mile away, there is no denying that the The Force Awakens isn't just riding on nostalgia, but rather effectively setting up a new story arc through its focus on gorgeous setpieces and more well rounded characters. I would have appreciated if some characters got more screen time, but we have two more films for that.… Expand
7 of 26 users found this helpful719
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8
gamerdude01Jan 4, 2016
I took one point off for unoriginality and another point off for being predictable. It's kinda like a roller coaster in the sense that you know what's going to happen but you enjoy the ride.
4 of 41 users found this helpful437
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8
SileSixEchoDec 18, 2015
It's a great movie, far better than expected. It has its shortcomings - namely being to faithful to its source material and not really delivering something new - but the great pictures and a decent cast ultimately make the movie a satisfyingIt's a great movie, far better than expected. It has its shortcomings - namely being to faithful to its source material and not really delivering something new - but the great pictures and a decent cast ultimately make the movie a satisfying and worthwhile experience.… Expand
133 of 177 users found this helpful13344
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8
Sirik_MatakApr 1, 2016
J.J. Abrams saved the magic of Star Wars. For years, almost decades, the wonderful world of the galaxy far, far away was plundered and savaged by soulless, talentless hack G.L. and thousands of millenials writing their awful fan-fics thatJ.J. Abrams saved the magic of Star Wars. For years, almost decades, the wonderful world of the galaxy far, far away was plundered and savaged by soulless, talentless hack G.L. and thousands of millenials writing their awful fan-fics that were getting stamps of being "canon" ("expanded" universe). After the awful prequel movies, one of the WORST movies in the history of the cinema, Disney (of all!!!) decided to take the matters in their own hands and got the franchise back on tracks. The hutt overlord Lucas was so fed up on its corpse, he decided to sell it. He could do no more damage to it, the limit was reached with the Clone Wars.
And Disney and J.J. Abrams reincarnated, resurrected the Star Wars back to its former glory. Ditched the whole prequels **** and murdered the expanded universe. The "clones" are mentioned once in the whole movie and stormtroopers are once again full fleshed human beings. Yeah, rabid milleinals and prequel's awfulness deniers are spilling out how much of the plot's structure was copied from the New Hope. Only shows how little they know about good film making and keeping up the franchise. This movie reinvented the good old Star Wars magic in the best way available. Despite the similiarities, the Force Awakens keeps its individuality and remains fresh. Although you could predict the main plot after the introduction of the new Death Star, the pacing and new characters with new personalities keep you at the edge of your seat until the very end. Although Ray has surely too much mary-sueness to her, it doesn't assault the logics of what's going on around her too much. And the movie isn't centred on her completely, because the Finn character, which - in spite of my prejudice - came out to be the strongest character in the whole picture. The performance of his actor was absolutely stellar and it was absolutely amazing to watch him develop throughout the movie. The old team of actors didn't feel too forced and it's obvious they were having a blast returning to the Star Wars under a competent direction. What a great way to end their careers after >30 years since the first movie.
The cinematography is absolutely stellar. The limited use of CGI and a **** of actual sets and costumes shows its superiority over the phony, fake and unrealistic world of buffonery of the prequels.

After a such wonderful restart I can only hope that they will keep the good job up. I'm aware the Disney is gonna milk their share as well from Star Wars franchise, but holy **** I believe they can do it with respect Star Wars deserves. Can't wait for the episode 8th and I hope for the hell of the spin-off with Rouge One movie.
Keep it up, Disney!… Expand
27 of 37 users found this helpful2710
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8
GeekusPrimusDec 22, 2015
The newest entry into the Star Wars franchise helps redeem the franchise after the mess that George Lucas made with the prequels. Compared head-to-head with the other films in the series, I think this one had the best script and acting,The newest entry into the Star Wars franchise helps redeem the franchise after the mess that George Lucas made with the prequels. Compared head-to-head with the other films in the series, I think this one had the best script and acting, avoided the total convolution of the prequels, and had the best overall presentation. Unfortunately, as great a movie as it is, it would be so much better if it weren't the seventh entry in the franchise. Viewers will have the distinct feeling that "they've done this before," perhaps because they have. The story, although better executed than before, borrows a few too many plot elements from the original trilogy to be comfortable. As a result, the movie becomes extremely predictable to anyone who has seen the original films. It feels like the writers couldn't decide between a remake of the original trilogy or a continuation of the old story, so they just kind of threw it all together. I hope the next installments are a bit more original.

Please bear in mind: I did enjoy the film. I never found myself being bored, even if I could guess exactly what was happening next. I enjoyed the new characters by themselves, although the "insta-relationship" formed between the cast, particularly Finn and Rey, appeared more like codependency and naivety than chemistry.… Expand
3 of 20 users found this helpful317
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8
DarkWolf1991Dec 28, 2015
I personally liked the film, I thought the acting was great, the action was superb, Not going OTT on CGI and the characters were like-able! I do agree with other people on here that it is pretty much a modern remake of A New Hope which knocksI personally liked the film, I thought the acting was great, the action was superb, Not going OTT on CGI and the characters were like-able! I do agree with other people on here that it is pretty much a modern remake of A New Hope which knocks off a few points from my scoring but any Star Wars fan, new or long-time should go and see it!… Expand
4 of 23 users found this helpful419
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8
hieraxDec 21, 2015
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I have been hyped before i saw this movie. I am a Star Wars fan and i love the Star Wars universe. When the intro-text began i have been close to tears of joy. Same when the old characters appeared on screen. It was just epic to see "the old ones" back in action. The animations are great, they get a solid 9.5/10, with a minus of 0.5 because there where just approx. five 3D Effects if you went into the 3D version of the movie -> classic 3D-scam. The sound was epic, same goes for the overall design. Dont miss this movie, its real good entertainment ! *SPOILERs FOLLOWING* The story was a bit of a turn down for me because it is again with a, now bigger, death star, which could be destroyed if you turn its shields down and, you might guess it, destroy its powercore. Its like they just recycled this part of the story. One single person has to push one button and the multi-billion-bazillion credit Death Star is unprotected and free to destroy by one single superpilot... Kylo Ren is like a spoiled kid, trying to be darth vader. They recycled the Anakin/Darth Vader story for him. He ended similar to Anakin and maybe we will see his version of Darth Vader in the next Episode... Luke Skywalkers daughter (or not ?) made a huge cliffhanger at the end. I guess in the next episode an artificial modified half cyborg Kylo Ren will try to take revenge on the returned jedis (Luke&daughter) and Kylo Ren and his master will build a mega-ulti-giant-deathstar which could be destroyed by one single fighter while its shields are down. Nevertheless it was good action, with some funny moments and i recommend to watch it for every science fiction fan.… Expand
9 of 22 users found this helpful913
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8
KlotzJan 6, 2016
This movie has shown me how bad the prequels really are!
It was the most fun and "Star Wars" feeling I had since the classics.
Yes there are a lot of copy - paste scenes from the classic movies but I can connive about that because of theThis movie has shown me how bad the prequels really are!
It was the most fun and "Star Wars" feeling I had since the classics.
Yes there are a lot of copy - paste scenes from the classic movies but I can connive about that because of the fun this movie is.… Expand
4 of 40 users found this helpful436
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8
sgy0003Dec 18, 2015
Star Wars Episode VII is a familiar yet refreshing chapter to the beloved saga. You can tell it's a star wars movie, yet you can also see J.J. Abrams fingerprint all over it. By brining back old casts and new, the movie allows the olderStar Wars Episode VII is a familiar yet refreshing chapter to the beloved saga. You can tell it's a star wars movie, yet you can also see J.J. Abrams fingerprint all over it. By brining back old casts and new, the movie allows the older generations of views to feel nostalgic while newer generation is introduced to the amazing franchise. They did a fantastic job of immersing the viewers how much time have passed since episode VI with original casts whom have aged quite a bit since then. The story it self is a retelling of episode IV, but i think it was far more grand scale than the original. The movie isn't perfect (as cinema sins say, "No movie is without a sin"). For Example, Mark Hamil doesn't even get a line. He just stands there looking gloomy. Also, not enough time is spent on the character development of the antagonists.

In conclusion, SW VII is a great film for all ages. It is a must-see movie… Expand
6 of 26 users found this helpful620
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8
MrZDec 18, 2015
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I'd like to begin by saying this movie is a huge step up from the prequels, no doubt. I truly enjoyed the action scenes, and the acting was well done. The only main problem I have with the film is the fact that it was too similar to Episode IV. There was another death, star, another rebel group, etc. It basically followed the same plot line, except for the underlying search for Luke. I also was a little displeased with the fact that Rey and Fin were able to not only handle a lightsaber so well, but that they were able to compete with a trained force user. Despite his injuries, I would have expected more from Kylo Ren who is of the Skywalker/Solo lineage.… Expand
9 of 28 users found this helpful919
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8
jraz81Dec 27, 2015
“The Force Awakens”, the first in a brand new trilogy of Star Wars films that picks up some three decades after the events of the original trilogy that began with Star Wars (1977), continued with The Empire Strikes Back (1980), and ended with“The Force Awakens”, the first in a brand new trilogy of Star Wars films that picks up some three decades after the events of the original trilogy that began with Star Wars (1977), continued with The Empire Strikes Back (1980), and ended with Return of the Jedi (1983), ignites the franchise’s new era with a bang, and is sure to create a new generation of fans, while also satisfying the grown-ups in the audience whose main interest might be nostalgia for the original series.
The main plot concerns the search for the missing Luke Skywalker, the original series’ hero who has since disappeared in the intervening years. Skywalker is being searched for by both the First Order, a newly risen evil empire led by the villainous Kylo Ren (essentially a new, updated version of Darth Vader), and a movement called The Resistance, led by Skywalker’s sister Leia.
Featuring the return of the franchise’s original stars, Harrison Ford (who reprises the role of Han Solo), Carrie Fisher (Leia), and Mark Hamill (Skywalker), the movie is simultaneously a tribute to the original Star Wars and a passing of the torch from this legendary trio to a new trio of heroes, played by Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, and Oscar Isaac. Ridley, who plays Rey, an impoverished orphan girl on a desert planet, is the breakout star here, mixing the vitality of youth with an incredible confidence usually only seen in seasoned actors. Prior to this film, Ridley was the definition of unknown – she didn’t even have an IMDB or Wikipedia page, and had never starred in a theatrically released movie, so as much of a gamble as her casting was for the filmmakers, there’s no question that they made the right decision.
Boyega holds his own as Finn, a soldier for the enemy First Order, who after feeling a pang of conscience after a battle, switches sides to join Rey and the Resistance. Finn is clearly interested in Rey, although it’s not clear if she reciprocates this, and we’ll presumably have to wait for the next episode to find out.
Isaac plays Poe Dameron, a pilot in the Resistance, considered by many “the best pilot in the galaxy”. Isaac adds such an aura of “cool” to the film it’s a shame he didn’t get more scenes.
And rounding out the main cast of newcomers is Adam Driver, who plays Kylo Ren, Lupita N’yongo as cosmic bar owner Maz Kanata, and Andy Serkis as the sinister Supreme Leader Snoke.
With a franchise this revered, director JJ Abrams is wise to stick to story basics rather than experimenting, and the main plot points for The Force Awakens and the original Star Wars are so similar as to be unmistakably intentional. Abrams’ experimentation shows up more in the casting than in the narrative. Having a female lead character is sure to expand the fan base for Star Wars, as well as address the concerns of many critics of the film establishment bemoaning the lack of strong female leads at the box office. Another interesting casting choice is the youth of the primary villain. Driver’s Kylo Ren appears to only be in his 20s or early 30s, much younger than the relatively aging villains that have typically permeated this series – this perhaps hints at a more innate nature to Ren’s evilness. And for the pure fun factor, the new robotic character of BB-8 – a sphere-shaped robot with a playful personality – is sure to be a hit, especially with kids.
“The Force Awakens”, currently in wide release, has broken several box office records, including: largest opening day gross ($119 million), largest opening weekend gross ($247 million), and fastest movie to gross a billion dollars (12 days).… Expand
4 of 28 users found this helpful424
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8
gabrielvalim12Dec 18, 2015
Amazing, had some problems in the script, untold histories, but bring back the spirit of star wars, and deliver to the fans that they are expectinc for
13 of 35 users found this helpful1322
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8
BigDegs29Mar 8, 2016
This is a great movie.

Don't listen to the people saying it's not worth admission. Don't listen to the people saying it clings too much to the A New Hope. Don't listen to the people who gripe about the villains. And don't listen to theThis is a great movie.

Don't listen to the people saying it's not worth admission. Don't listen to the people saying it clings too much to the A New Hope. Don't listen to the people who gripe about the villains. And don't listen to the people who shout about plot holes.

This is a great movie.

The new trio of actors they found for this movie (playing Rey, Finn & Poe) are great! You actually care about them, unlike Anakin and Padme from the prequels. I also think Kylo Ren is perfect for a young, angry Sith apprentice. Isn't that exactly how he should act? Angry, bitter, confused and scared? Great to seen Han Solo back...him and Chewie bring a lot of humour to the movie. Seeing Leia again was meh.

Visuals and sound are awesome! It's a Star Wars movie after all. Writing, dialogue, and directing is all great.

There are a few flaws of course, which is why I can't give this movie higher than an 8. The plot does follow the original quite a bit. There's a fine line between giving a homage to the original work and plain copying. I personally think they straddle that line fine, but would have preferred if they went a more original route. We really didn't need a third Death Star! I'm also a little worried about the head villain. We don't see much of him in this movie, so hopefully his character works out in the next two.

As for plot holes, I would say they're less actual plot holes and more plot devices that defy scientific reality. A weapon that can completely harness the power of the sun in a small planetary body, then someone direct that flow of energy into destroying multiple planets at a time? I don't know about that.

Definitely a very entertaining movie though. Has me stoked for the second!… Expand
37 of 53 users found this helpful3716
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8
DAL1960Dec 28, 2015
Just came back from seeing Episode Seven and I have to say the movie was good, not close to being great.
I'm not going to go through the plot line because tons of people have done that here.
I will say that if you have seen the previousJust came back from seeing Episode Seven and I have to say the movie was good, not close to being great.
I'm not going to go through the plot line because tons of people have done that here.
I will say that if you have seen the previous six, there should be no surprises.
Each Star Wars movie seems to follow the same script.

The performances of the actors were very good.
I really liked Daisy Ridley,John Boyenga and Harrison Ford.
I honestly thought there would be more Oscar Isaac.

If I had to place this movie on my list of favorite Star Wars movies, it would rank number five, behind "Revenge of The Sith"

JJ Abrams did a good job directing it. The writing was much better than the last three movies. Kudos to Abrams, Lawrence Kasdan and Dennis Arndt.

I'm hoping I'm around for Episode Eight. Abrams has already said he regrets no taking it on. "Brick" director Rian Johnson will helming that one. If you have seen any of his movies, you know the Star Wars franchise is in good hands.… Expand
6 of 28 users found this helpful622
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8
JorgeChillerJan 7, 2016
Not quite a home run, but satisfying to any sane Star Wars fan. Admittedly, because its Star Wars it's put to anything less than magical stings a little more because of how special this franchise is to myself and many many others. Many of usNot quite a home run, but satisfying to any sane Star Wars fan. Admittedly, because its Star Wars it's put to anything less than magical stings a little more because of how special this franchise is to myself and many many others. Many of us who lovingly criticize this movie are hoping the next one is free to tell its own story and show us something new.

+New cast/characters are stellar
+Beautiful sets and cinematography
+No Jar Jar
-Too many wink-wink moments to previous films
-Certain problematic plot points could have been easily addressed… Expand
5 of 36 users found this helpful531
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8
TheMetacritiqerDec 20, 2015
My hypothesis is that the people that didn't like the new trilogy are the ones who grew up with the original. I saw the prequels first and ep3 was the best. So I knew there was no way it could be as dark and dramatic as revenge of the sith.My hypothesis is that the people that didn't like the new trilogy are the ones who grew up with the original. I saw the prequels first and ep3 was the best. So I knew there was no way it could be as dark and dramatic as revenge of the sith. And it wasn't. Most of the time it feels like a comedy that's pretty funny. Everything else is great. The only flaws are the final battle and kylo rens face… Expand
4 of 18 users found this helpful414
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8
jgr94Mar 26, 2016
Star Wars fans will hate me for this review. This is the best star wars movie, yes i said it! I like the old trilogy, hate the new trilogy and love the newest movie!
73 of 98 users found this helpful7325
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8
GohenkoDec 19, 2015
Great fun. Almost feels like a Star Wars reboot of sorts, and I mean that in a more positive than negative way. Superb acting by the lead actors, plus great sound and visual design. Probably the funniest Star Wars movie to date, I actuallyGreat fun. Almost feels like a Star Wars reboot of sorts, and I mean that in a more positive than negative way. Superb acting by the lead actors, plus great sound and visual design. Probably the funniest Star Wars movie to date, I actually laughed out loud quite a few times. The biggest let-down for me was the lack of innovation, J.J. Abrams seems to have realised the recipe for Star Wars magic and doesn't try to mix it up too much. The movie relies heavily on nostalgia, but thankfully not so much it would feel too overbearing.… Expand
11 of 27 users found this helpful1116
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8
rodsagerDec 18, 2015
Edited version from my blog... First I want to start off by saying this movie is well worth the effort and expense to see. It is likely the best movie you'll see this year and will not disappoint. Seriously you can't walk out of the theaterEdited version from my blog... First I want to start off by saying this movie is well worth the effort and expense to see. It is likely the best movie you'll see this year and will not disappoint. Seriously you can't walk out of the theater thinking anything less than "that was a good movie". But I had very high expectations. This was what Phantom Menace had to face, stratospheric expectations because the first three films are legendary. The Phantom was a bogey at best when measured against those films, if you'll pardon the golf parlance. This film cannot be spared that expectation either, but it benefits from the fact that it will most likely be measured as much against the prequels as it will the originals. I went in measuring it against the first trilogy of films and that is a very high standard. Star Wars remains the second or third highest grossing film of all time when corrected for inflation, depending on whose all time list you look at. A lofty target to be sure.

It seems that Disney took a safe approach here, perhaps a little too safe. I found this film to be thoroughly entertaining, visually exciting and beautiful, and just really well done for the most part. But the film was horribly predictable, I knew what was going to happen before it happened in at least a dozen scenes. Why? Because they did it before. This film took some generous liberties with the sequences from the original trilogy films. Numerous scenes and plot elements are not just vaguely similar to the first three films but practically 'cut and pasted' in. My son Nolan joked that it was a great movie but should be called, "A New Hope, 2.0". It could be followed by The Force Strikes Back and Return of the Force. Is there not an original idea left in the universe?

I was quite surprised to see a lack of lens flare in this movie, the director was JJ Abrams, right? Just kidding, I think JJ overdid the lens flare in the Star Trek movies so much that he may have burned himself out on it. Either that or Disney turned off the lens flare generators ;)

So regarding the characters, I have to be very vague here, because I think people have some ideas about 'who is what' in this movie and those ideas may turn out to be misguided. Everybody knows that Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill reprise their roles in this film. It is Ford's Han Solo that really has the bulk of the scenes among the old school characters in this movie. That is fine by me, because Han Solo is one of the best movie characters ever! Harrison Ford does not disappoint here. The dialog provided for Han Solo was epic and even as an aging hero, Han Solo still kicks ass and it is all believable.

The primary new characters are Rey, Finn, and Kylo Ren, played respectively by Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, and Adam Driver. Rey gets a lot of screen time and that is a very good thing. Daisy knocks it out of the park and steals every scene she's in. I am delighted with her character thus far and look forward to her reprisals in future movies. It's not just her acting or screen presence, which is very good, but the character is amazing. She is for now shielded in a delicious veil of mystery. There is so much potential development for her. Rey gets an A, see what I did there ;) John Boyega is another big plus. This guy also lights it up. His character evolves quite a bit in this movie, but does it so well, that it does not feel rushed. His acting was excellent, his character believable, and his on-screen presence was very strong. Another A grade. Adam Driver's Kylo Ren is a little more difficult to digest. My son, Nolan didn't feel he was at all menacing in the villain role. Comparisons to Darth Vader are unavoidable. Darth Vader is a character that is one of the most iconic of villains. His menacing voice was performed by James Earl Jones and it doesn't get any better than that. Those are large shoes to fill. The first time Kylo Ren speaks it's like, what? Is the Pillsbury Doughboy under that mask? I agree with my son that he really wasn't very strong as a villain, but I think that may have been done on purpose. The movie will make some revelations that could explain a few things about the character. The Dark Side is shadowy and the villain on the surface isn't always the villain running the show. This character is conflicted and like Anakin Skywalker, he is quite powerful, just not fully in control. I give him a B grade.

The plot of this movie is a little soft but it holds together well enough. I had the bar set at Empire Strikes Back and this film falls well short of that, but it is better than the prequels and frankly about on par with Episode VI, Return of the Jedi. I no doubt like millions of others, eagerly await the next film. That bodes well for Disney.… Expand
7 of 33 users found this helpful726
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8
tvnewsguidoDec 26, 2015
Super fun not really great cinema

I had a great deal of fun watching this flick. It's not a great movie but it serves it's purpose as a bridge episode from the original trilogy to the new universe. The performances were spot on and i'mSuper fun not really great cinema

I had a great deal of fun watching this flick. It's not a great movie but it serves it's purpose as a bridge episode from the original trilogy to the new universe. The performances were spot on and i'm intrigued to see more.… Expand
8 of 34 users found this helpful826
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8
MiracSpectacJan 7, 2018
As an absolutely magnificent comeback for this timeless franchise, Episode VII provides stunning visuals and new characters to the winning formula that is Star Wars. It would honestly be a contender for my favorite entry in the series if itAs an absolutely magnificent comeback for this timeless franchise, Episode VII provides stunning visuals and new characters to the winning formula that is Star Wars. It would honestly be a contender for my favorite entry in the series if it wasn't for the sheer lack of chemistry between the main cast. Regardless, it is a greatly compelling film that accomplishes a lot in nearly every other aspect.… Expand
0 of 2 users found this helpful02
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8
JmoneyyyyyDec 18, 2015
I had a lot of fun with this movie. Its no where near a flawless movie, but a good one none the less. The new characters where good. I felt that bringing on relatively unknown actors was a gamble, but it worked out. The sound effects were soI had a lot of fun with this movie. Its no where near a flawless movie, but a good one none the less. The new characters where good. I felt that bringing on relatively unknown actors was a gamble, but it worked out. The sound effects were so punchy. It made that much more exciting of a movie. BB-8 was way less annoying than I initially thought. So that was a surprise.
With that said, the movie does have flaws. The movie seemed rushed. It really wanted to get into the action that was shown off in the trailers, that everything else seemed rushed. With some of the major spoilers that happen, the rush them rather than building the suspense around it. Also it did seem like a rehash of A New Hope, and if they go that route, I hope they do not do the same with this trilogy, or else it will make it way too predictable.
So with all that said, I had fun, and I would recommend it highly.… Expand
6 of 27 users found this helpful621
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8
sscott0829twDec 18, 2015
Star Wars the force awakens reminds me everything I love for Star Wars,this entire movie kinda feels like "a new hope".It the same kind of formula.The story this time tells a good story.2 heros in a movie this time,Finn and Rey.They are theStar Wars the force awakens reminds me everything I love for Star Wars,this entire movie kinda feels like "a new hope".It the same kind of formula.The story this time tells a good story.2 heros in a movie this time,Finn and Rey.They are the best characters I have ever seen in a Star Wars movie.J J Abrams is really good at making a good character.Kylo Ren is also an amazing character,he is unique in his own way.Not just a Vadar-like villian,He is more like a emotional person.Other people in the first order just feel disappointing.Space battles are too few in this movie,it focus on ground combats and the characters.The lightsaber battles are fantastic,it is like real person fighting with a sword,you can see Kylo Ren,Rey and Finn all very afraid with each other,and when they start to fight against each other,it just the best lightsaber battle I have ever seen.Overall The force awaken is an outstanding movie,but some of the characters don't do much in the movie,like Captain phasma.The whole movie and the ending is very epic.But there are some questions that the movie don't answered,probably going to explain in the next episode,I recommend every star wars fan to watch this movie right away.… Expand
155 of 206 users found this helpful15551
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8
TributeManDec 21, 2015
We're home Chewie!

J.J Abramsie dziękuje. Przywróciłeś Star warsom ich dawną chwałę. Największe wrażenie zrobiło na mnie użycie tak dużej ilości efektów specjalnych, ale nie komputerowych. około 90% kosmitów nie jest CGI (wyglądająWe're home Chewie!

J.J Abramsie dziękuje. Przywróciłeś Star warsom ich dawną chwałę.
Największe wrażenie zrobiło na mnie użycie tak dużej ilości efektów specjalnych, ale nie komputerowych. około 90% kosmitów nie jest CGI (wyglądają genialnie), a co jeszcze bardziej zaskakujące - wiele sporych eksplozji nie jest efektem komputerowym. Brawo! Z pewnością Przebudzenie mocy czerpie garściami od Nowej nadziei, ale nie jest to jego wadą. Historia wydaje się być świeża dzięki nowym bohaterom. Moim zdaniem wszyscy dali z siebie wszystko i z niecierpliwością czekam na ciąg dalszy. Jest jedna rzecz, której bardzo mi brakowało. Jest to muzyka. Niestety, ale w części VII nie uświadczymy tak epickiego soundtracku jaki był w poprzednich 6 częściach. Film rekompensuje to wspaniałymi walkami i nareszcie nie sztucznie wyglądającymi walkami na miecze świetlne. Polecam każdemu, kto lubi dobre kino.… Expand
11 of 28 users found this helpful1117
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8
LoneWolfSonesJan 7, 2016
The Force Awakens is a return to form for Star Wars. While I never hated the prequel trilogy; the original trilogy is still the best in my eyes. The plot in the Force Awakens moves at a brisk pace. Perhaps its the pacing that hides one of theThe Force Awakens is a return to form for Star Wars. While I never hated the prequel trilogy; the original trilogy is still the best in my eyes. The plot in the Force Awakens moves at a brisk pace. Perhaps its the pacing that hides one of the biggest underlying issues the Force Awakens has. Upon reflecting on the film you will start to wonder about some notable plot holes that aren't quite explained in the movie. This is all the more evident in that the Force Awakens follows many of the same story beats from A New Hope. The end result feels a bit copy/paste but it doesn't make it a bad film. In some ways perhaps its appropriate that it draws inspiration from a New Hope. That is ultimately what Force Awakens is for the Star Wars franchise. Its a new hope for Star Wars Fans young and old.… Expand
5 of 40 users found this helpful535
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8
Ham_CriticApr 16, 2016
This is by far my favourite movie of 2015

This movie was basically a copy and paste of a New Hope, but it had to be! Star Wars is a franchise that is on a downfall. This movie was a fun thrill ride. I would even say it's better than A NewThis is by far my favourite movie of 2015

This movie was basically a copy and paste of a New Hope, but it had to be! Star Wars is a franchise that is on a downfall. This movie was a fun thrill ride. I would even say it's better than A New Hope. This was a great re-introduction into the Star Wars Saga, I am looking forward to watching 8 and 9.… Expand
11 of 21 users found this helpful1110
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8
LordExarusFeb 18, 2016
This movie is done expertly,however it has some glaring flaws I just simply cannot overlook.
It is done well with great characters returning and introducing new interesting ones,and a single bad one I will talk about later.The Effects areThis movie is done expertly,however it has some glaring flaws I just simply cannot overlook.
It is done well with great characters returning and introducing new interesting ones,and a single bad one I will talk about later.The Effects are amazing,you are on the edge of your seat as the Order sets off its super weapon.It catches your attention throughout
Dialogue is great,nothing more to it.
Story is....above average,there are some things are issues and I won't spoil it for the sake of spoilers.

The worst part is the main villain who essentially takes Darth Vader's place,indeed a extremely hard part to fill but it is done bad.The character comes off as a rebellious teenager slamming doors and banging on walls.

The movie is great,but I cannot give it a 10/10 like other people with these glaring flaws.… Expand
95 of 127 users found this helpful9532
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8
MattBrady99Dec 22, 2015
"Chewie, we're home".

The Force Awakens is a continuation of the "Star Wars" saga, balance returns to the Force as the First Order, emerging from the ashes of the Empire, clashes with the Resistance, which includes scrappy newcomers as"Chewie, we're home".

The Force Awakens is a continuation of the "Star Wars" saga, balance returns to the Force as the First Order, emerging from the ashes of the Empire, clashes with the Resistance, which includes scrappy newcomers as well as heroes from the former Rebel Alliance.

It's been awhile since we've seen a Star Wars movie hit theaters and the last one wasn't that great. Fans today are still not over what George Lucas did. Then the news came out about a 7th film in one of the biggest and most iconic franchise of all time, but that only made fans more worried. Everyone had doubts over J.J. Abrams directing a new Star Wars movie, because Star Wars is one of the BIGGEST movies ever and fans seriously don't want another Phantom Menace on their hands, but after seeing the movie I can safely say that J.J. Abrams nailed it.

J.J. Abrams broke his back making this movie, I mean taking on a project like this is a big deal. Abrams himself is a fan of the original Star Wars movies and while watching this movie I could tell. He put everything in this movie and it absolutely paid off. I can't imagine anyone else directing this movie and I think it's a perfect idea for a Star Wars fan (like Abrams) to direct the movie, because he knows his roots better than Lucas. Abrams really listened to fans and this isn't the first time a director did that, I mean with J.J. Abrams wanting to make a good Star Wars movie, he wants to get everything nailed down perfectly and the best way he could do that is by listening to what people what. Abrams did fantastic job directing this movie as he added a mix of A New Hope, the old school film making and a little bit of a Star Trek feel to it.

Daisy Ridley and John Boyega play new character's in the Star Wars saga and both of them are unknown stars to some people. Both of them deliver a great performance and their characters were enjoyable to watch. The characters themselves are interesting, you care for them and you have a little glimpse of their back story that makes you want to know more about them. All the characters in the movie are great and I'm talking about the old and new characters.

Now lets talk about the villain 'Kylo Ken' played by Adam Driver. This might honestly be the most fleshed out, human and understandable villain we've had since Vader, now I'm not saying he's the next Vader or he's up up there with Vader, but he is a menacing villain that's quite frightening at times. He's not the type of villain that's just evil or tries to have a clear motivation that's done poorly in other movies, but here (Without spoiling everything) is more than that. He was a great villain and just his presence can make anyone go silent.

I loved the use of the CGI in this movie. Abrams went back to original way of filming things and that's blending the CGI into the background that this universe is set in, and it's execution was beautiful. Now when I think about it, the whole movie is one big "f**k you" to George Lucas and how this movie avoids the things that we hated in the prequels (two of them is the use of CGI and Jar Jar).

To those wondering if Luke Skywalker is in the movie and again without giving much away, yes, he is.

Now for the flaws: A lot of people have said that The Force Awakens is basically a remake of A New Hope and I do agree on that. Some might have no problem with that and that's fine be me, but there were some call backs that felt a bit force (No pun intended).

I already talked about how amazing the visual effect's look, but some effect's were a bit noticeable. I think some of the noticeable effect's were some of the CGI character's. But all that a side, the rest of the effect's was really good.

Overall The Force Awakens is a great Star Wars movie and it feels good saying that. It's way way better than the prequels and Return of the Jedi. It's absolutely worth seeing.

P.S. Here is something for those people who are going to spoil this movie for others. "Those attempting to spoil Star Wars for others, know that it's the most attention you'll likely receive in life". - Quote by Chris Stuckmann… Expand
11 of 41 users found this helpful1130
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8
RereRayendrasMay 5, 2016
The film is well acted with amazing visual and special effects and the acting is great. The score from John Williams isn't the best but there are some great new things from the score.
4 of 11 users found this helpful47
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8
SquadPoopJan 17, 2016
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. If you are a Star Wars fanboy then please get off the internet, and go back to your special little corner where the only movies in the world that matter are the original trilogy, please, its time for the grownups to talk.

Star Wars Episode 7: The Force Awakens is a good movie. That is a summary of it all. However for more reasons, just continue reading. Lets start with the story, people are complaining that it is a terrible rip off of A New Hope, and my response is: So what? Does this reasoning mean that you also hate A New Hope? Does it mean that this movie recreates it badly? No. It retells the story in a way that is familiar and also fresh. The cinematography helps the feeling of hugeness and epicness that JJ Abrams wanted, in the action scenes the camera is moving at a pace that feels intense but also lets the audience see what is happening and let them breathe, during more soft moments, Abrams lets the camera linger and slowly move to help immerse us into the scene, basically the camera work and lighting is phenomenal. The dialogue and character interactions and acting are also well done, people may not remember, but the acting and dialogue for A New Hope wasn't as brilliant as we think today. People may argue that there are plot holes and plot points that don't make sense, but guess what? ITS THE FIRST IN A TRILOGY. They are bound to explain it, there are 2 more movies coming. There is also the argument that the villain Kylo Ren shouldn't have been beaten so quickly, but guess what? He was still in training. I wonder if people just forget the scene when Hux is talking to Snoke, and Snoke clearly says: "bring me Ren, it is time to complete his training" so that argument is invalid. Basically this is a good movie, and unfortunately, it has reached the point where suddenly its cool to hate it because "Yeah, I'm different." and that is a shame. Don't let those people defer you, because most likely they are a bunch of fanboys who know nothing about film making and just want to dislike something because it doesn't reach the standards they set. I would highly recommend seeing this movie… Expand
7 of 27 users found this helpful720
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8
RudigerXJan 2, 2016
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The movie was great. It had everything I could of wanted and I am eagerly awaiting a second viewing. There were moments I questioned why Rey was progressing so quickly and the ending was a little ham fisted but I'm sure in the sequels all will be revealed.… Expand
5 of 35 users found this helpful530
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8
UrbanlistenerJan 9, 2016
A competent Star Wars film, great new characters, great practical effects and great to see our old star wars stars (no pun intended) back, but on the story side, it is weak. Not that is not a good story, but it is litterally the same asA competent Star Wars film, great new characters, great practical effects and great to see our old star wars stars (no pun intended) back, but on the story side, it is weak. Not that is not a good story, but it is litterally the same as episode IV. I understand that they wanted the movie to be familiar to older audiences and bringing back that nostalgia factor, while introducing the universe to younger people, but its just too similar to ignore. But still, it is better than episode 1 and 2 and it is well-made, well-shot and a lot of fun.… Expand
8 of 34 users found this helpful826
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8
FilmPhonicJan 5, 2016
Never has a film needed less build-up or background than the extremely long-awaited 7th cinematic installment of the ‘Star Wars’ saga, ‘The Force Awakens’. So after the unprecedented build-up and hype there’s only really one question toNever has a film needed less build-up or background than the extremely long-awaited 7th cinematic installment of the ‘Star Wars’ saga, ‘The Force Awakens’. So after the unprecedented build-up and hype there’s only really one question to answer, does it live up to it?, and the answer is, for the most part yes.

Despite considerable constraints and the daunting task of getting the balance right between paying tribute to the series legacy and catapulting it into the 21st century, ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ is a triumph of blockbuster event filmmaking and a prime example of what a major studio can achieve with a passionate filmmaker that’s given the adequate source material, space and time to get the formula right, not mention some major $$$.

It’s clear that superfan and writer/director J.J. Abrams was constrained by new ‘Star Wars’ universe overlords Disney in how much he could deviate from a successful formula, the balance is indeed skewed towards recycling much of the narrative from the original trilogy and capturing the currently precious pop-culture nostalgia dollar. Which means that the story does often feel like a corporate box-ticking exercise.

But at the same time ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ is the perfect 21st century representation of the magic that made the franchise so popular, and Disney have allowed J.J. Abrams the space to work his storytelling magic and deft hand at ensemble cast handling.

Pretty much every main character in ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’, both the original “Legacy” players and the new generation, get the chance to shine within a story with a very healthy dose of humour and charm. Which in the end is what made the original series so popular and enduring when you get past visuals and special effects, which quickly become obsolete.

So if you’re looking for a huge cinematic experience with laughs and thrills, featuring characters in a beloved and familiar universe, plus some new ones that intersect with what you already know, ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ will not disappoint.

In fact the only really disappointing element, aside from a few dark side character choices and a slightly overly familiar narrative, comes way before the film’s release in the form of many trailers, TV spots, magazine spreads and the general ubiquitous spoiler culture that surrounded the latest story in a galaxy far far away…

By the time you’ve seen ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’, you’ll probably already know what virtually every major character looks like, sounds like, what vehicles and landscapes to expect and have figured out the crux of the narrative.

It seems that audiences have gladly traded the wonderment of 1st time viewing exposition for a quick fix and the build up of anticipation, and studio marketing departments are only happy to oblige, but for us this had a negative impact on the enjoyment of the film.

With series sequels and spinoffs now scheduled over the next 4 years at least, the question will now be if Disney can keep relying on tried formulas and nostalgia or whether the franchise can now stand on its new 21st century legs, and if the slew of new ‘Star Wars’ films will dilute the magic and appeal of the franchise, for general viewers at least. Only time will tell.

But given the film’s already extraordinary, if expected box office success, coupled with potentially greater merchandising returns and the opening of ‘Star Wars’ themed lands at Disney parks in the near future, it seems that Disney’s massive 4 billion dollar acquisition of Lucasfilm in 2012 might turn out to be the bargain of the century.

The Bottom Line…
Despite being slightly predictable and relying heavily on nostalgia, ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ is a thoroughly entertaining adventure of epic proportions that just about gets the balance right between the old and the new, reinvigorating and blasting a cultural phenomenon into a new era.… Expand
8 of 40 users found this helpful832
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8
nozamanDec 21, 2015
First off, most all the criticisms I have read are valid. The problem is it sounds like a lot of people are "chasing Amy" with this film-- In other words, they are pining after a film that does not exist, that can never exist because a majorFirst off, most all the criticisms I have read are valid. The problem is it sounds like a lot of people are "chasing Amy" with this film-- In other words, they are pining after a film that does not exist, that can never exist because a major motion picture by definition can not be perfect. Star Wars was never meant to be a dark, dystopian fantasy as is the trend these days. It was meant to be a "space opera", and on those terms The Force Awakens succeeds resoundingly.

It is, first and foremost, character driven. Rey is a compelling lead and is compellingly acted by Daisy Ridley. Harrison Ford once again shows why Han Solo is the role he was born to play. This is a film about family; somewhat ironically, the "space battle" element of the film is the least effective. Yes, there are "plot holes"-- but these exist in all six previous films as well. That's what "willing suspension of disbelief" is for. Yes, Abrams is sometimes a bit --too-- referential of the original films.

But the stage is set for an intriguing, exciting slate of films to come. It introduces characters you want to see more of, and poses questions and quandaries you want to see them wrestle with.

And, it's just cool. Crazy that Lucas originally just wanted pure, good ol' escapism, which is exactly what this film delivers with reverence and respect for its legacy.

Yes, the criticisms are valid, but hopefully they are put in the context of reality rather than the ideals we have about Star Wars but, if we're honest, are simply not possible for any film to live up to 100%. That's what makes Star Wars so special and so personal.… Expand
2 of 13 users found this helpful211
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8
TheDude-Dec 18, 2015
The Force Awakens is a fantastic film everything you see in the film is star wars bringing the universe to life in a brand new direction and visual representation, I loved the new and old characters in this film they all had such naturalThe Force Awakens is a fantastic film everything you see in the film is star wars bringing the universe to life in a brand new direction and visual representation, I loved the new and old characters in this film they all had such natural chemistry in their interactions they were also very well developed with interesting backstories, the story in this film is very reminiscent of a new hope in many ways but still brings new ideas and twists to the table and was a very good setup to a three part story, the practical and special effects melded well together giving the film a more realistic aesthetic (Like the original trilogy) the action sequences were also very well choreographed and crafted with much excitement and lastly Kylo Ren was an amazing villain with a presence so magnetic that I felt fear for any of the characters that came in contact with him he was also very sympathetic I understood why he thought the actions he took were the right thing which is what you need to make a great villain.
The Force Awakens does have a few minor details that could have been done better
. There was no explanation has to how Poe got out of the sinking sand
. Captain Phasma was unexplored and underused
. star killer was basically the death star just much larger
but other than that it was great.… Expand
11 of 49 users found this helpful1138
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8
SanastusaDec 26, 2015
A Star Wars movie that can be enjoyed by more then Star Wars fans. Episode VII sheds a fresh breath of air to the universe of Star Wars. Adding more elements of drama and comedy then others in the series,it still played its part of being aA Star Wars movie that can be enjoyed by more then Star Wars fans. Episode VII sheds a fresh breath of air to the universe of Star Wars. Adding more elements of drama and comedy then others in the series,it still played its part of being a decent movie.
Some more character development could have been shared, other parts you could have a educated guess as to what happened next. Still these little components didn't deter me from enjoying the film. Made me think back and remember the times seeing Star Wars with one of my step-dads. Memorable.
Looking forward to the next two in the series and the development of the main characters.
May the Force be with You.… Expand
2 of 26 users found this helpful224
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8
twall3Jan 22, 2016
Weird to watch the negative user reviews grow for this movie. With a movie this anticipated, bad reviews aren't going to stop anyone from seeing it. They only serve to lower our expectations, and therefore increase our enjoyment when weWeird to watch the negative user reviews grow for this movie. With a movie this anticipated, bad reviews aren't going to stop anyone from seeing it. They only serve to lower our expectations, and therefore increase our enjoyment when we finally see the film. I read several of the angry reviews and heard countless people explain that it's a shameless rehash of Star Wars IV. So when I saw it I was surprised how much it DIDN'T feel like a rehash. It felt like new people entering an old story we knew, picking up decades later. Familiar faces and ships, but now a new story. And it IS a story that circles round and round (Palpatine killed Vader's dad, Vader's son inspires Vader to kill Palpatine and his daughter is a key fighter in the Rebellion, Obiwan trains Anakin and eventually has to kill him but doesn't, Anakin becomes Vader and kills Obiwan - but not before Obiwan begins Luke's training, etc.). Why complain when there's more similar storyline? It wasn't a perfect movie but it WAS a new Star Wars movie - and it was rich and spectacular. It was a labor of love by all who worked on it and a gift to the rest of us fans. Enjoy it for what it is. Sounds like a 2nd viewing is even more enjoyable (now you know what to expect).… Expand
20 of 51 users found this helpful2031
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8
WillColeJan 7, 2016
The Force Awakens from the great director J.J Abrams is a great start to the new trilogy and exceeded my expectations. He has brought the series back to life in a fabulous way. It incorporates a mix of new characters and old characters, whichThe Force Awakens from the great director J.J Abrams is a great start to the new trilogy and exceeded my expectations. He has brought the series back to life in a fabulous way. It incorporates a mix of new characters and old characters, which is important to the film's story. Ridley and Boyega are both great actors who portray Rey and Finn well. Also Han and Chewie had a good and needed return. The main villain Kylo Ren was not quite as scary as Darth, however, he was intimidating and ruthless, just like a villain should be. Saying this though, Driver was an awful pick to portray him while not in the suit. I personally think he looked like an older teenager. Apart from this it was though. While the film was not as good as the original, it was better than all the prequel trilogy films combined. And of course it is worth a watch.… Expand
5 of 37 users found this helpful532
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8
CineAutoctonoMay 20, 2016
Star Wars: Episode VII was a good movie for which many mopped with that movie and that publicity so winded , but I dared and was very good, I liked the new characters , and the ancient characters, what i missed them , and scenes and specialStar Wars: Episode VII was a good movie for which many mopped with that movie and that publicity so winded , but I dared and was very good, I liked the new characters , and the ancient characters, what i missed them , and scenes and special effects were incredible , pity who have not won any Academy Award, but it was very good.… Expand
7 of 14 users found this helpful77
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8
MatthewAUDec 18, 2015
I was unsure what to expect from this chapter of the famous and beloved saga.

There were mixed feelings about Episodes I, II and III obviously. I didn’t mind Episode II and Episode III and I endure Episode I, as it reminds me of theI was unsure what to expect from this chapter of the famous and beloved saga.

There were mixed feelings about Episodes I, II and III obviously. I didn’t mind Episode II and Episode III and I endure Episode I, as it reminds me of the excitement I felt, as a 13 year old at the time, to be witnessing Star Wars at the cinemas.

I was concerned that a major company like Disney was in the driver’s seat and it appeared George Lucas having sold the rights - including the lucrative merchandising rights that made him most of his $5.1B - was keen to vacate the space and have a hand off approach to the project. Would it be the same without the Star Wars creator there every step of the way making sure everything fit in with his original vision and previous chapters?

Essentially would it keep its Star Wars-iness or would it be commercialised and Disney-fied beyond recognition to the horror of millions?

I’m very pleased to report that J. J. Abrams has delivered in spades.

It fits seamlessly into the Star Wars universe. However, you do need to take your mind back to the 1983 Return of the Jedi and remind yourself this movie slots in 30 years after that. All the while forgetting Episodes I, II and III.

Once you’ve made that mind shift you’re able to fully enjoy what unfolds.

All the original Star Wars characters that appear are 32 years older than they were in Episode VI, so it’s no drastic mental jump to accept it is 30 years since the events of Return of the Jedi.

There are a new generation of heroes that step up for the Light Side in Rey (Daisy Ridley) and Finn (John Boyega). Like all Star Wars movies Episode VII is based around a small cast of heroes. These two form the core of the movie. And probably will for the rest of the sequels.

Daisy and John provide strong compelling performances that hold the movie and cast together and work in perfectly with the beloved characters of Princess (General) Leia, Han Solo as well as C-3PO and a few other throwbacks.

There are many moments that elicit audible responses from the audience. Aspects that connect back to some of the more memorable moments in the first three movies. And these are a nice touch to bed it down in the Star Wars universe.

The graphics as expected are flawless but there is an awkward kind of aspect to some design elements and the level of computer graphics given the quality of both from Return of the Jedi 32 years ago, but this is obviously not avoidable.

The relationship between Han and Leia is handed brilliantly and their is great on screen chemistry. There is a sense of a lot of time having passed and a lot having gone under the bridge with these two.

Harrison Ford makes what I think was an awkward first appearance but given he’s now a much older battle hardened character it doesn’t detract too much. Perhaps it was intended?

He warms into it and is “Han” in no time.

Carrie Fisher gives a stellar performance and her first appearance in this movie is well delivered and handled. She’s entirely believable as a General of the Rebels.

Her scenes with Han probably provide the best moments and this should be welcoming news to old school Star Wars fans.

No shortage of nostalgic tear jerker moments with these two.

A lot has happened between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens. It doesn’t explain all that has happened between then and now but it goes a long way to starting on the journey. Much like The Phantom Menace’s plot line did for the lead up to A New Hope.

There’s a new generation of Dark Side villains to become familiar with. Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) is the new Sith apprentice and Driver inhabits the character completely.

The soundtrack from the lauded composer John Williams is top notch as expected. A lot of Star Wars’ feel has been created by him and his masterpiece scores. He doesn’t let the team down.

The script is fast paced and full of detail. Almost to the point of being overwhelming, as there is so much to pick up. But this is typical Star Wars and it’s a case of strap in and catch up.

The script isn’t cliched, kitsch or derivative, which I thought could be a major issue.

Humour changes over time. It’s hard to maintain a tone when creating movies over such a long time span that are supposed to fit in seamlessly after one and other. Many will want to watch all 7 in order and they all need to feel like they belong.

The Force Awakens did this brilliantly but with a slightly modern edgy aspect. There are plenty of jokes that die hard fans will get and enjoy.

There is, rightly so, a romanticism around Star Wars - with many having grown up with this genre creating saga - like no other series in movie history. The bar is set very high and people will run a very critical eye over every detail. In my opinion it reaches the highs we all hoped it would and fits in with the rest of the vast Star Wars universe. The movie of the year. Exceeds its high expectations.… Expand
144 of 191 users found this helpful14447
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8
HQJACKSON77Jan 16, 2016
It's a pretty good movie. However, one or two parts about the story didn't really make sense. The villain wasn't really powerful as I hope he was. Still a good movie.
4 of 28 users found this helpful424
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8
nyphxDec 27, 2015
I saw the movie 24 hours ago, and have had time to process what i saw. It fully accomplishes what it set out to do. There is an entirely new generation of Star Wars fans who relate much more to these characters and their story. I took myI saw the movie 24 hours ago, and have had time to process what i saw. It fully accomplishes what it set out to do. There is an entirely new generation of Star Wars fans who relate much more to these characters and their story. I took my nephews, ages 7 and 9, and they have not stopped talking about the movie. All day they have been trying to relate it to Star Wars: Clone Wars and Rebels. Definitely taking them again, getting the DVD, and a trip to the Lego store has already been committed. They were pumped when they saw the Millenium Falcon, but not so much Hans Solo. It was good to see Solo and Leia, but only in small doses. That is why i gave it an 8. This is next generation stuff and they need to pass the torch. And for anyone who is saying it is just the same story rehashed, not so much. It has heroes, villans, and they are headed towards an epic finish. But, in the Star Wars universe, that is what it is. Different characters, different locations, spread over 1,000s of years. Most great sagas follow the same theme. You know, on second thought, probably could have given this movie a 9 simply because there is no Jar Jar Binks.… Expand
3 of 26 users found this helpful323
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8
geo333Dec 20, 2015
Star Wars The Force Awakens brings back everything that fans like in the first trilogy. From the new and old cast all of them bring chemistry and good performances.However, its story and development of it is weak as at times if feels rushedStar Wars The Force Awakens brings back everything that fans like in the first trilogy. From the new and old cast all of them bring chemistry and good performances.However, its story and development of it is weak as at times if feels rushed or confusing. Overall, JJ. Abrams did what he was asked to do which is reawaken the force and in that he succeeded.… Expand
7 of 31 users found this helpful724
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8
GAMERGUY25Jan 11, 2016
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Star Wars is back but this time under the wing of Disney and directed by JJ Abrams. But that doesn't matter especially with a movie this good. Star wars the force awakens is one of the greatest films ever in my opinion beating out empire strikes back as my all time favorite star wars movie. Lets tackle this one by one

Music is amazing and nostalgic as John Williams is back and conducts another amazing score.

The characters are great while not being as good as he could be Harrison Ford puts on a memorable performance as Han Solo. Finn is a stormtrooper who decides he doesn't want to kill anymore and runs off to join the rebellion. The only two characters who are sort of meh are Rey and Kylo Ren. Rey is a great character overall just like Luke she grew up away from parents and lives on a desert like planet known as Jakku. My only problem with her is she can do almost anything already. Sure Luke piloted an X wing in the first movie but she piloted the Falcon almost perfect. And when Finn gets hit, she grabs a lightsaber and duels a sith lord. It took Luke a long time from sparring with a droid, a battle with vader while still training to the return of the jedi where he is a full fledged jedi and here is rey using the force after 5 minutes of seeing a fight. Kylo Ren don't get me wrong is a great villan a true struggle between being good or bad. But he isnt a true sith to me because he doesn't use the sith qualities of the dark side to fight. He uses his anger to throw tantrums sure in the end when Rey insults him he starts fighter more aggressive but by then it was too late.

Overall this is a great movie and worth your time but those two characters might leave you scratching your head… Expand
4 of 35 users found this helpful431
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8
andre27Oct 29, 2017
O despertar das forças é um filme que tenta obviamente trazer Star Wars de novo aos grandes palcos do cinema. Trazendo 2 icones das antigas sagas, onde Vader volta na pele de um moço e Luke na pele de uma rapariga o filme é carismático e bemO despertar das forças é um filme que tenta obviamente trazer Star Wars de novo aos grandes palcos do cinema. Trazendo 2 icones das antigas sagas, onde Vader volta na pele de um moço e Luke na pele de uma rapariga o filme é carismático e bem construído e traz momentos de excelência em relação aos efeitos especiais. Gostei deste regresso de Star Wars e agora é aguardar para ver o que nos traz os proximos filmes.… Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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8
DanielwWhiteDec 21, 2015
I was shocked that this movie was actually good. I was expecting Disney to destroy this reboot os Star Wars but the plot and characters in this movie are done very well and it is a really good movie.
5 of 22 users found this helpful517
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8
TrackerDeviceMar 18, 2016
With a structure like A New Hope, the Star Wars franchise is resurrected with a great cast, really good effects and excellent directing from J.J. Abrams.
34 of 47 users found this helpful3413
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8
ChosenKukky03Mar 13, 2016
After the long, long wait, I honestly expected JJ Abraham's entry in the legendary science-fiction series to be a bit like Halo 4 - good game, but not a true Halo in the sense of atmosphere & that big presence you feel when playing. But thisAfter the long, long wait, I honestly expected JJ Abraham's entry in the legendary science-fiction series to be a bit like Halo 4 - good game, but not a true Halo in the sense of atmosphere & that big presence you feel when playing. But this sci-fi blockbuster NAILED the atmosphere. The sheer nostalgia I felt at the end(which I won't mention any specific bits of, since if you're reading this you probably haven't seen the film) made me remember my childhood, watching Episode V over and over & playing with toy lightsabres and OH MY GOD, so much nostalgia. While I was upset by the death of a certain someone, the villain made up for it. He had something I'd never seen before in a bad guy - being torn apart & slowly driven insane by the dark and the light. Now I only have to wait until 2017 for Episode VIII..... dammit.… Expand
78 of 104 users found this helpful7826
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8
Rebecca31Dec 18, 2015
(Spoiler Free, so you can all calm down)
Years ago we were blessed with an epic trilogy unlike anything we'd ever seen.......many years later one man (whose name we dare not speak) set out to ruin it, not just ruin it but bring it to the(Spoiler Free, so you can all calm down)
Years ago we were blessed with an epic trilogy unlike anything we'd ever seen.......many years later one man (whose name we dare not speak) set out to ruin it, not just ruin it but bring it to the verge of death.......and now here we are again with the beginning of yet another trilogy. Star Wars VII which has been saved from its potential destruction by none other than Mr J.J.Abrams. Cause let's face it who else were they gonna get to direct this.
We can now rejoice in the knowledge that Star Wars is actually good again. Halle-freaking-lujah! I'm not going to talk about what happens in this movie, only that it will definitely feel like A New Hope. Perfect casting all round, it's established itself as something new mixed together with the things we loved about Star Wars along with some other cheesy moments that I'm willing to let slide. Will not disappoint, definitely recommended.… Expand
9 of 41 users found this helpful932
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8
DukeSilverDec 30, 2015
The Force Awakens is certainly not as special as the original 3 movies in many ways, and yet it still has the same sense of excitement that you would expect from a Star Wars movie. Some moments seem a bit unnecessary and repetitive. It isThe Force Awakens is certainly not as special as the original 3 movies in many ways, and yet it still has the same sense of excitement that you would expect from a Star Wars movie. Some moments seem a bit unnecessary and repetitive. It is painfully clear that Abrams wanted to avoid every aspect of the prequels. The story as a whole is very similar to the originals but it almost doesn't matter because of how well it was executed. Some of the new characters such as Rey and Kylo Ren are absolutely amazing and set the tone for future movies. Overall a really good film… Expand
3 of 31 users found this helpful328
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8
DanishReviewDec 18, 2015
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. *Minor Spoilers*

Okay, im gonna say it, I found this film a bit disapointing..
This is soooo similar to episode IV, Follow.

1: Bring Information about a secret weapons, in this case, a map.
2. One of the main cast finds out that they have force powers, WITHOUT BIRTH TRAINING..
3. Explosion.

But with all seriusness, its a great movie, it was just overhyped, I loved Finn, he was just the best part of the film! He is really the first time I ever cared about a stormtrooper.

Anyways, a must watch for Star Wars fans!… Expand
8 of 28 users found this helpful820
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8
savagecorgiDec 19, 2015
JJ Abrams deserves credit for preserving much of the cinematic feel the original trilogy had. The scene composure, pacing, and special effects all capture the important feel of the star wars universe that was lacking in EP I-III.

While IJJ Abrams deserves credit for preserving much of the cinematic feel the original trilogy had. The scene composure, pacing, and special effects all capture the important feel of the star wars universe that was lacking in EP I-III.

While I won't spoil the twist(s), when you sit through the movie they become fairly apparent if you're paying attention... but the effect is powerful nonetheless. I'm not afraid to admit I teared up a few times... from nostalgia, from happiness, from sadness... sometimes all at once.

I think the plot could have been more original at its core, but putting that aside, it was still a triumph. The Star Wars "nerd" in me took issues on some of the near instant character progression (you'll see what I mean), but I think that's to be expected in today's instant gratification society I think.

In the end, it is a success, it is fun, and it was great to continue the story. My hope is that this is a launching pad for the franchise, and that there will be more complicated and innovative plots in movies to come.… Expand
12 of 29 users found this helpful1217
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8
scarfakeDec 19, 2015
scenario: weak
acting: good
effects: very good

it is a good star wars film. i think better than 1-2-3 but scenario is conflicting. i did not like it. kylo ren is very special character. i think he will be 2nd and 3rd movies. effects are great
4 of 17 users found this helpful413
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8
NestriReviewsJan 6, 2016
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The Force Awakens is a technical achievement and very fun. But, ultimately, it lack originality, which is a real shame. However, that flaw is overshadowed by the incredible action and charming characters. And, haters, I understand you. I'm as angry as you are about this movie's major lack of originality, but you are really being dishonest with yourselves, at least most of you. You need to ask yourself: "Is this movie well realized, even though it shares too many similarities with A New Hope? Are the characters well acted? Is the action fun?" If you answer the questions by saying 'yes', than it's pretty unfair to give this movie a 0, just because it's unoriginal. People make mistakes, and without mistakes there will be no progress. J J Abrams' laziness and cowardliness is very embarrassing and shameful, but, please, be more optimistic. I respect all of you haters, because, without you, the next movies would probably be another copies of the original trilogy, but don't be too harsh. Besides, why do you ignore the very few original ideas that this movie presents? For example: Finn's character development is really great, original and inspiring. Seeing a stormtrooper, turning into a Resistance fighter was a joy to watch. What about Kylo Ren? Sure, he has a few similarities compared to Darth Vader, mainly his clothes and armor, but his personality is different and he presents a less experienced warrior. So, that's a plus. Although, he isn't as gripping and terrifying as Darth Vader, especially when he takes off his mask. That moment was sort of anti-climatic. OK, so Rey was a total badass in this movie, but it's also a convenient badassery. It's weird to see her succeed in almost everything in this movie, without even training. However, if this aspect gets explained in the upcoming SW movies, I would appreciate that. The returning characters shine in this movie, especially Han Solo, who is my favorite SW character. He's funny, charismatic and badass in this movie, featuring the same characteristics of the original trilogy. Also, his death is dramatic, and Chewbaca's reaction was so sad. Although, Leia's reaction was weirdly passive, really. Snoak , the main main villain, wasn't enough shown, and I don't really know his backstory or his personality all that much, but I will be patient to get informed for this character in the next movie. However, I have heard theories that this guy is Darth Plegious, which really adds to the intrigue and enigma of Snoak. Phasma in this movie was also not shown enough and, really, she was a bit boring in this movie (maybe because of her minimal appearance), but her armor looks badass, so kudos for that. And, the redhead general was decent. So, the characters in The Force Awakens are mostly well written and well designed. What about the action? Freaking amazing, super fun, cinematic... It has it all. Also, the lightsaber battles are tense and satisfying. If you're looking for an action movie that will blow your mind with it's visuals, this movie is for you. Story? I love the story, but the major flaw still stays. It is so similar to A New Hope, it's almost criminal. But, I enjoyed the story so much. Honestly, this is the first Star Wars movie that I've watched, so I may have been more easily impressed than other people, but I still love it. I have watched A New Hope before this movie, and I certainly noticed the similarities. However, the whole adventure to find Luke Skywalker is intriguing IMO. The whole process of doing that, while brutally familiar, is incredibly fun. But, however, if the next movie will be a copy of the original trilogy, that would really piss me off and I would definitely join the haters. However, this time, I'm forgiving the writer, but please, more originality next time. Luke Skywalker is shown in this movie for only 30 seconds, but it's worth it and it's a fitting ending. So, basically, I secretly don't like this movie because of it's derivative plot, but I can't lie to myself. I enjoyed this movie so freaking much. But that may have been because this is my first SW movie. I will watch it a second time and maybe my opinion will change, but until then, The Force Awakens stay with an 8/10 from me. So, yeah.… Expand
65 of 92 users found this helpful6527
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8
AlecSweatshirtJan 6, 2016
Okay, this is a good movie. Even though it is A New Hope, the story has some varieties. Also, the movie looks great, feels like a Star Wars movie, and the new cast is refreshing and they work well with the old cast. Overall, it's a fun watchOkay, this is a good movie. Even though it is A New Hope, the story has some varieties. Also, the movie looks great, feels like a Star Wars movie, and the new cast is refreshing and they work well with the old cast. Overall, it's a fun watch and it definitely brought the series back. (To all the haters, think of this, then think of the prequels. It's not that bad now is it???)… Expand
12 of 36 users found this helpful1224
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8
IQLeisnerJan 3, 2016
So let me start off by saying that I left the movie theater feeling very happy – which is more than some would dare expect. After the fiasco of the second trilogy, this installment felt very fresh and brought back many old feelings. With thatSo let me start off by saying that I left the movie theater feeling very happy – which is more than some would dare expect. After the fiasco of the second trilogy, this installment felt very fresh and brought back many old feelings. With that said, I think it would be fair to break it down into some aspects:

Characters (9.5): It’s extraordinary how likable the characters in this movie were, and even more extraordinary is the fact that they felt very original! From the heroes to the villains the aliens to the droids, it all felt very much like Star Wars. Some of the are simply brilliant while some are not, but every single one was very well written.

Dialogue (10): Loved what they did with the dialogue. The jokes are well timed, and the fact that the characters are very enthusiastic of their own feats feels very real and relatable.

Soundtrack (7): It seems as though they were going for something minimalistic. The soundtrack is beautiful but very discreet, and the original themes feel a little underused. There are some triumphant moments, though.

Combat (10): For me, this was by far the best Star Wars in terms of combat, with both spaceships and lightsabers. The TIE Fighters/X-Wing shots are gorgeous, the ships feel very real and it’s as though we can feel their weight and their precision. The final lightsaber battle is simply amazing, and it’s THE FIRST BATTLE EVER WHERE IT ACTUALLY SEEMS THEY’RE TRYING TO HIT EACH OTHER! No choreographed bullsh*t, very real and believable action. Loved that part.

Plot (5): Unfortunately, that’s where it falls short – very short. There’s no saying much here without spoiling the movie, but let’s just say that there’s a permanent feeling of “been there, done that”. As much of a tribute to the original movie as it is, it could have used a lot more innovation.

All in all, I think it was a great start for the new trilogy. Was it amazing? No, not really. But it seems to be on the right track, and I’m very optimistic about the future of the saga.… Expand
4 of 31 users found this helpful427
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8
CataraxDec 20, 2015
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Its a great movie. we have to accept the "new generation" with a lot of jokes and more. This movie show us a new start in this saga.

The character touchd the force for the first time and in this movie its look's all a little bit "noob-like". i think we have to watch all the episodes for a real review.

The character of Kylo Ren is great. he looks like a angry and uncontrollable guy who has no idea what he is doing - but think - he is not a full sith or something - he is just a student and we can looking forward for the next episodes. there is something big comin… Expand
5 of 24 users found this helpful519
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8
GauntletKIDec 18, 2015
Good, but odd things: Very strange closeup facial shots (reveal of RN, him walking through desert, reveal of Ben, his face shown all the time). Cliche Black male, white female to be relationship (kinda rapey when he keep grabbing her). VeryGood, but odd things: Very strange closeup facial shots (reveal of RN, him walking through desert, reveal of Ben, his face shown all the time). Cliche Black male, white female to be relationship (kinda rapey when he keep grabbing her). Very odd "Look at that!" reveals: forced in your face nostalgia, RN reveal. Very strange that RN can do Everything he tries on his first try, I don't understand why they were trying so hard on his character, but he acted well for what they gave him.
Female lead was Great!, no problems what so ever.
Male lead was a good comic relief that they made into a disappointing jack of all trade character (co-main character, comic relief, romantic interest, main fighter for every fight, change of heart character (too quick), Can do everything he tries thought he shouldn't be able to)
Only qualms is that I wish the female lead didn't have to split so much of the movie with her side kick, the male lead RN.… Expand
12 of 32 users found this helpful1220
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8
solecsDec 18, 2015
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This was an exciting spectacle of a movie. The Star Wars fan in me loved it, but the movie-goer in me says it wasn't perfect.

The movie succeeds most as a transition from the original trilogy. The look and tone are spot on and there's a really great sense of epic scope and scale that nails the sci-fi/fantasy notes. The new lead characters are fantastically realized, and for the most part like-able with complete arcs, and the old characters work fairly well as a bridge. It's a great mashup of the old Star Wars we know and love along with enough new pieces that are ready and willing to be expanded on in the upcoming movies.

That said, there were some flaws. There is quite a bit of pandering and callback to the original trilogy films, much of it blatant and pretty forced towards the end. The plot was also on the weak side. Yes, it followed a lot of the same outline as episodes 4, 5, and 6, but I think they added enough variations and subversions to make it fresh and, most importantly, leave room to really expand the story in the next films. As with most beginnings it spent a lot of time on world building and character introductions that it didn't get as deep. The plot also had some pretty extreme jumps in logic and took some shortcuts and there were a few points of way-out-there science that threw off my suspension of disbelief (like how starkiller base works...).

All in all it was a really fun movie that perfectly setup the next installment. There is enough for old and new fans to enjoy and the hook for the next movie is great.

To address some of the common complaints I've read about the movie (spoliers):

Rey/Finn beat Kylo Ren!
A lot of people complain that "Rey and Finn with no training whatsoever beat the highly trained jedi/sith Kylo Ren!". First of all who says Rey and Finn weren't trained? It's established pretty early on that Rey can handle herself and knows her way around a weapon. Finn is a storm trooper who was trained from a very early age. It's not a huge jump to assume he was trained to use melee weapons, he even fights another storm trooper in melee. Second, Finn fought a Kylo Ren who had just been shot in the gut and was bleeding out. By the time Rey got in the action Finn had already injured both of Kylo's arms too. This was in no way a full strength Kylo Ren, so I don't think this fight really turned out that outlandishly.

There was no character development!
What exactly were you expecting? Did Luke suddenly become a full jedi by the end of A New Hope? Was Han a fully fledged respected leader of the rebellion by then? How much development did Leia get between being getting captured and handing out medals? This is the first movie, you can't honestly compare the development of the original trilogy cast over the course of 3 movies to the new characters' development in 1. The main players in TFA (Rey, Finn, Kylo) all had fairly complete arcs, but are still developing. It would have been nice to get some more screen time for Poe and some of the First Order leaders but you can't spend half the movie on everybody.

It's just A New Hope all over again!
I mentioned this above, but yeah it's pretty similar. Droid with important information gets stranded on a desert planet and finds a naive hero who finds a mentor who takes them to a bar to get to the rebellion and blow up the death star. There's also the "I am your father" moment from Empire Strikes Back and the starship battles from Return of the Jedi. Yes, I saw all that too. The thing is it's a whole new set of characters with different backgrounds and motivations. I think it's a fine way of rebooting the franchise without alienating the fan base and so long as they use it as a setup and go in a different direction in the next movie it will have been worth it. The real core of this conflict is that the First Order is very much on the offensive and actively attacking the resistance/republic which is a far cry from the Empire trying to crush that insignificant rebellion.… Expand
6 of 25 users found this helpful619
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8
CroswyndDec 18, 2015
Episode 7: The Force Awakens was exactly as it should be. Silly, awesome, dumb, serious, adventurous, and a lot of fun. It was Star Wars, through and through.
6 of 25 users found this helpful619
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8
starrdoggDec 18, 2015
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is not a perfect movie, but I thought it was a highly enjoyable one, and a triumphant return to the franchise after a decade away. The negatives have been hammered home, and yes, this movie borrows A LOT from A New Hope, but it honestly didn't bother me all that much until the very end (did we really need ANOTHER movie ending with the Rebels exploiting a weakness in a Death Star!?).

That said, I thought this movie had a lot of positives that far outweighed the one major negative.The Force Awakens nails the vibe and look of the original trilogy, something the prequels whiffed on completely. I also loved the new characters, as Rey, Finn and Kylo Ren all had compelling stories, and all three actors did fantastic jobs in their roles. Compelling characters were perhaps the biggest flaw of the prequels, and this more than makes up for it. Surprisingly, this movie had some legitimately funny scenes, something we haven't seen in a Star Wars movie since maybe Empire. Oh, and the action scenes were great and the aliens were cool (as a fanboy, I feel compelled to point this out).

All in all, this movie neither exceeded my expectations, nor did it disappoint me. It's far better than the prequels and a wonderful start to a new trilogy. I just hope they take these wonderful characters and this fantastic new world in which they exist and put them to a more creative use the next time around. For now though, I'm happy with this movie, and I'll absolutely be seeing it again.… Expand
5 of 20 users found this helpful515
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8
Spilly0403Dec 19, 2015
I don't understand some people on this website. They don't like the fact that the plot of this movie is not very original, and I agree with them. But that is not a reason to give this movie a 0 or a 1. This movie has great characters, greatI don't understand some people on this website. They don't like the fact that the plot of this movie is not very original, and I agree with them. But that is not a reason to give this movie a 0 or a 1. This movie has great characters, great dialogue that is very "star wars-y", exciting action scenes and awesome special effects. Now that I say it, this movie reminds me a lot of mad max: fury road. That was also a movie with great characters and special effects, but with an unoriginal story. Therefore I believe that this movie fell victim to the hype train, unlike mad max (which was rated a lot higher by most people). I do understand that this movie has its flaws, but I don't think that it is godawful, like some people do.… Expand
6 of 22 users found this helpful616
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8
fab10Dec 19, 2015
JJ told us a history, this is not new for sure, but he got it. I mean. he is a superb director who can tell a history and cast his characters very well. Surely is a new hope for this Brand and for all Starwars lovers. Do not expect a brandJJ told us a history, this is not new for sure, but he got it. I mean. he is a superb director who can tell a history and cast his characters very well. Surely is a new hope for this Brand and for all Starwars lovers. Do not expect a brand new history or even characters with deep development… Expand
5 of 22 users found this helpful517
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8
propeller74Dec 19, 2015
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. **Minimal Spoiler review** This film deserves a high score strictly on the fact that there was A LOT riding on this and JJ Abrams had to create a film that satisfies a wide number of very harsh critics. Let's face it, with a franchise like Star Wars, the fans will never be happy with a film. We can all agree that Empire is amazing, but there are still things about it which could be better.

Back to this one. The Force Awakens has a lot to do. This film could easily have been 3 hours long (which may have worked) because there were so many back stories and characters to address. Throughout the film you find yourself asking a bunch of questions, mostly to do with the state of the Galaxy, First Order, Senate, etc. JJ had to "pass the torch" by starting with a handful of familiar characters, which needed screen time and introducing us to the protagonists to move this franchise forward. Trust me, it's an awful lot to do in 2:15 minutes plus make the movie fun and interesting.

Is it annoying that there is a repetition of plot? Yes. Does it in a sense feel like a reboot of Ep. IV for a new generation? Yes. Is that OK ultimately? Yes and no. Being that the original film is coming up on 40 years of age, we've seen franchises rebooted for far less. I am sure that the OG Star Wars trilogy doesn't resonate with the Millennials as it does with my generation. JJ's approach satisfies all customers. I feel like the new characters all had an appropriate amount of depth to them to make you care for them. I didn't care what happened to any of the characters in the prequels, so this is a win, but as an older fan, I could have used something else than another "death star".

One of my favorite things about the film, is how relatable the characters and environments are. They're no longer pristine. They eat and drink. The film has light moments as well as tender and is nowhere near the cheese-filled, buddy film, which Jedi was.

All-in-all, this is a great "re-boot" of the franchise and it will be very curious where is goes from here now that this chapter is out of the way. This film was here solely to bring us all back into the fold and now the story may continue in a manner that some will find more pleasing.… Expand
10 of 27 users found this helpful1017
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8
stevesanyalDec 19, 2015
The anticipation leading up to Star Wars: The Force Awakens was surreal. Perhaps it was the lingering effects of a great night out with old friends the evening prior, which seems to apply how the Star Wars universe feels to me.
I remainedThe anticipation leading up to Star Wars: The Force Awakens was surreal. Perhaps it was the lingering effects of a great night out with old friends the evening prior, which seems to apply how the Star Wars universe feels to me.
I remained abreast of the hoopla leading up to the release, and avoided any spoilers. I even read selective portions of a few reviews, including one that called this film the greatest of the year.
Having now watched it, the Star Wars: The Force Awakens feels to me like a reimagined version of Episode IV: A New Hope. Perhaps “history repeats itself” is the correct epitaph for it.
It surpasses the prequels and is on par with the originals, but it does not evolve the storytelling to the next level which we have seen with other franchises such as Marvel, DC and even Mad Max.
Still there was plenty to enjoy here, and let’s start with the visuals. The 3D was well laid out. Scenes where a Star Destroyer feels like it is popping out of the screen about to poke your eye out, or tie fighters flying in out of my peripheral vision.
There is great attention paid to physical detail, everything from dents on land speeders to the grungy agedness of the Millennium Falcon. The pacing is well metered, faster with the young new characters, slow and lingering with the older generation.
The heroes in this film are likeable and compelling, a quality I felt was missing in the prequel films. You start to get to know the new heroes Finn and Rey when Han Solo shows up and reminds you why he is without a doubt the best Star Wars character of all (even though I have a soft spot for Luke Skywalker and the Jedi).
I also appreciated how important Harrison Ford was to the success of the old movies, and with the death of Solo’s character I think it will be up to Finn and Rey to emotionally carry this franchise moving forward.
I’ve always felt that JJ Abrams does a great job creating compelling good guys. He does this in spades in the Force Awakens, but now this is where I think JJ’s weaknesses start to show up.
His bad guys are never as compelling as his good guys – take for example Nero in Star Trek, or the baldy baddies from Fringe.
My 5 year old loves Darth Vader and ol’ Darth has to be one of the best all time bad guy villains. To me, the great thing with the original series was that we never knew Vader’s backstory. The mystery of how he was seduced by the force was a compelling part of his character, and the reveal in the prequels did not add up to a net benefit in my books.
Kylo Ren is the main bad guy the good guys interact with in The Force Awakens, and the movie takes an “if you can’t beat ‘em join ‘em” approach. He’s another good guy getting seduced by the dark side story.
To me, the seduction plotline worked well for Luke, but for Anakin/Vader it seemed contrived, as it does here.
I thought the best part about Ren was his fits of beat the crap out of something or someone rage. These were well done by Adam Driver, and I laughed along with most of the theatre for its entertainment value.
Yet, it seems odd to me there are no effective anger management classes in a galaxy far, far away and is the whole seduction by the dark side no more than falling in with the wrong crowd at an impressionable age?
The permanence of the dark side’s hold seems so black and white, an outdated concept that needs to evolve in my opinion. And Ren’s character seems beyond redemption at this point after he kills his own father in cold blood.
Ren seems destined to follow the Darth Vader formula of committing one last act of good before dying. I hope this won’t take until the 3rd film because a copycat character is difficult to make compelling for that long.
I felt the word copycat is everywhere in the film as a whole. The new planet sized death star, the attack scenes, the master and apprentice bad guys, the resistance/rebellion.
Maybe everyone was walking on eggshells with the storytelling and decided to stay with a formula that works to get people excited about Star Wars again.
However, if this is more about business people trying to make creative decisions formulaically without an emotional connection it does not bode well for the long term health of the Star Wars reboot. In other words, I can give it a pass this time.
I believe JJ Abrams is the right choice if is partnered with the right people. Once you unwrap the layers in his stories they have little to offer in terms of creativity and originality – Alias, Fringe and Star Trek being the examples for me.
If the original trilogy did not exist, would I be writing this? Probably not – the Force Awakens would fare much higher if we could wipe our collective minds.
In the years to come, will I reach for the Force Awakens every few years like I still do with the original series? Time will tell, but probably not.
Does the Force Awakens provide a step back in the right direction, and give me hope for the future? Absolutely.… Expand
6 of 20 users found this helpful614
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8
Patrick319Dec 19, 2015
Powerful characters and the relationships that develop make up for a lackluster story. Dialogue and acting is a VAST improvement from previous episodes. Yes, there are parallels to A New Hope, but only in style and delivery. The charactersPowerful characters and the relationships that develop make up for a lackluster story. Dialogue and acting is a VAST improvement from previous episodes. Yes, there are parallels to A New Hope, but only in style and delivery. The characters are unique and their motivations are unique. This is NOT a complete rehash of A New Hope in my opinion. The ending may seem anti climactic to some, but in my opinion it was very gutsy! There is a lot of unanswered questions and unfinished business that we should give the creative team the benefit of the doubt will be dealt with to the fans satisfaction in Episodes 8 and 9. There are some plot holes that seem intentional (we'll see if they were) and some that I'm on the fence as to whether they were intentional, or if the viewers are just expected to assume what happened. One of those plot holes has to do with who actually SURVIVED at the end of the film.… Expand
5 of 21 users found this helpful516
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8
AWassermanDec 20, 2015
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It took a while for me to get my feelings together on this movie. Upon seeing it Saturday night, I walked out very disappointed. The rehash of the death stars, Kylo Ren getting beat so easily by Rey, The rehashing of the New Hope and Empire Strikes Back plots. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized how happy I actually was with this movie. Was it the best Star Wars movie? In my opinion, No, but it did not have to be. It brought us as an audience back into this world, and allowed us to see what happened after Return of the Jedi. I still found myself disappointed with Kylo Ren. I was excited to see his character, and I loved it up until he took off the mask. and saw SNAPE?!? HAHA NO. but really i wanted to see more of a badass, like vader. I understood that he felt upset that he was not as powerful as vader and he felt the light in him. However, the movie hinted at the return of a more sinister and badass Kylo to follow, so if thats the case, then this movie was even more clever than I thought, but only time will tell. However, I still found enjoyment and I do recommend this film. I am excited to see what is next for Star Wars, J.J. did a great job and the next director will hopefully do the same. Final verdict, Solid movie and use of passing the torch to the next generation of characters, but still overhyped and a bit flawed.… Expand
7 of 20 users found this helpful713
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8
MatthewEDec 21, 2015
To be honest I had some issues with The Force Awakens. Several different writers (J.J. Abrams, Lawrence Kasdan and Michael Arndt) worked on the story, and it shows a certain mishmash.

However, the combination of humor, thrills, nostalgiaTo be honest I had some issues with The Force Awakens. Several different writers (J.J. Abrams, Lawrence Kasdan and Michael Arndt) worked on the story, and it shows a certain mishmash.

However, the combination of humor, thrills, nostalgia and (yes) powerful storytelling should satisfy most Star Wars fans as it did me. The Force is definitely with it.

I am looking forward to seeing the next episode, hoping that it will be a real classic.… Expand
4 of 16 users found this helpful412
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8
Michael2971Dec 21, 2015
The movie is very good. But I find it kind of disappointing for a big STAR WARS fan like me ! Although, the movie rating was for me 8/10. So anyways, for those who haven't watch the movie yet, I hope you enjoy !!!

BYE
10 of 24 users found this helpful1014
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8
MovieFiend0Dec 21, 2015
I came out of the theater kind of disappointed. It was predictable, copied many plot points from A New Hope, and didn't have much of a back story. I left with many unanswered questions. But I ultimately enjoyed the movie for what it was. AnI came out of the theater kind of disappointed. It was predictable, copied many plot points from A New Hope, and didn't have much of a back story. I left with many unanswered questions. But I ultimately enjoyed the movie for what it was. An action sci-fi adventure with awesome special effects set in the Star Wars universe. I liked most of the new characters, especially Rey. People are really hating on Kylo Ren but I think his character is going to get better with the next two movies.… Expand
13 of 25 users found this helpful1312
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8
adam32492Dec 21, 2015
If You're expecting a lot of character development and unforeseen twists in the plot to a formula story, you won't get it. The main character (Rey) is obviously Skywalker's daughter but it delivers the action scenes you expect. Don't waitIf You're expecting a lot of character development and unforeseen twists in the plot to a formula story, you won't get it. The main character (Rey) is obviously Skywalker's daughter but it delivers the action scenes you expect. Don't wait for any scenes after the credits for this is not a marvel studios movie.… Expand
5 of 20 users found this helpful515
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8
Rational-ReviewDec 22, 2015
Be aware of your expectations and know the series for what it is and what it will become. This installment was directed by JJ Abrams, who does not reinvent the wheel, as the story is nothing groundbreaking. But it carried itself with dignityBe aware of your expectations and know the series for what it is and what it will become. This installment was directed by JJ Abrams, who does not reinvent the wheel, as the story is nothing groundbreaking. But it carried itself with dignity this time, it respected its characters, and delivered the right pace and feel necessary to make it feel like a classic Star Wars film. It is this new cast of characters and legacy direction that make this new episode serve as a reminder of why I fell in love with Star Wars in the first place.

I can't hate it, although I certainly have a few gripes with the editing of the film. For instance, some of the exposition was blandly delivered or fell on deaf ears. I found a lot of it predictable, but it could just be me. Yet, I think it's safe to say that we expected the story's events to transpire as they did for good measure in the next episodes. I commend the efforts of the cast and crew to deliver a truly phenomenal entry in entertainment this year.

Also a big thank you to John Williams, as the music made it Star Wars!… Expand
4 of 18 users found this helpful414
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8
MacForceRisingDec 23, 2015
When I saw The Phantom Menace i felt it was a great start to another era of star Wars films until Jar Jar Binks showed up. But that does not mean that the rest of the film does not have value in the Star Wars universe. Actually now that IWhen I saw The Phantom Menace i felt it was a great start to another era of star Wars films until Jar Jar Binks showed up. But that does not mean that the rest of the film does not have value in the Star Wars universe. Actually now that I have viewed the new Star Wars, I see how great the story line of the Phantom
Menace was because of George Lucas's story telling skills.
But this time around George Lucas is not at the drivers seat, He was pushed out the creative process as soon as Disney purchased his "Empire". Thats why I didn't expect Disney to be true to what George Lucas originally wanted Episode seven's story line to represent. JJ Abrams and Disney used the main idea that Luke was the last Jedi and he needed to go into hiding for his own personal safety. This point was the only real remnant left from George Lucas's thoughts of what episode seven should entail. Although Lucas never put to much thought into all the details for 7, 8. and 9 because he never intended to bring them to the big screen.
The Good points of The Force Awakens, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, R2, 3P0 and Chewy,
plus a really good new cast especially John Boyega as Fin the runaway StormTrooper. Although the plot line uses A New Hope as template the new characters cross paths with the original cast, creating a familiar
feeling, "did we do this before"! The nostalgic plot line did give me a lump in my throat, combined with John Williams excellent music score and ILM's visual effects, the experience was a blaster to the past.
Conclusion; If you are a long time ago, in the 1970's Star wars fan, just like me you will have mixed feelings about The force Awakens. Why ,because This episode is not so much as an episode of a continuing story but both a stand along movie as well. It comes of as trying to please to many fans from different time periods, which causes the viewer some confusion of the intent of this installment.
So, this my final thought I left the theater feeling that episode seven did not go deep enough into why
or how the older characters ended up where they were at that time period. But, at the same time it
made me feel the same way I did in 1977 when I first saw Star Wars. Young and wide eyed...… Expand
3 of 18 users found this helpful315
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8
lightsaber76Dec 23, 2015
As a huge Star Wars fan, I enjoyed this movie. Yes it has its flaws, but Abrams managed to bring back the nostalgia while still having new faces and moving forward to future films. I get that people say it felt like a new version of A NewAs a huge Star Wars fan, I enjoyed this movie. Yes it has its flaws, but Abrams managed to bring back the nostalgia while still having new faces and moving forward to future films. I get that people say it felt like a new version of A New Hope, but it still continued the story and I'm anxious for the next chapter.… Expand
10 of 25 users found this helpful1015
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8
KylejamesDec 23, 2015
I really did enjoy this film, the only problem I had with it was it felt too much like A New Hope. They both basically have the same plot and both movies end the same.
12 of 29 users found this helpful1217
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