Star Wars: The Force Awakens movie review

Then, in 2012, there was a disturbance in the force, when Lucas sold his baby to Disney.

This excited fans, as they wondered "more films would be made?", "attractions at the Disney theme parks?" and "would Han shoot first again?".

We didn't have to wait long before Disney announced that a sequel trilogy would take place and the man in the hot seat would be none other than JJ Abrams.

Do not underestimate the power of Abrams, he has brought life back to both the Star Trek & Mission: Impossible franchises and made the likes of Chris Pine and Zoe Saldana household names.

If the excitement wasn't already building, Disney announced that Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford would be returning to portray their iconic roles, along with Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca), Anthony Daniels (C-3PO) and Kenny Baker (R2-D2). 

Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, Oscar Isaac and John Boyega too joined the cast in exciting new roles.

As filming began to take place, not a lot about the film was known except that Harrison Ford broke a leg and character names like Finn, Rey and the awesome sounding Kylo Ren were announced. 

It wasn't until late November 2014 where the excitement and anticipation for The Force Awakens made the jump to light speed.

You see, this was when the first trailer dropped for the film and all 80 seconds of it made every aspiring Jedi reconnect with the force, but still gave nothing away.

For myself and Star Wars fans alike, it hinted to a return of the Star Wars we all grew up watching and loving. This time I get to experience it with my children and Star Wars novice partner.

JJ Abrams Star Wars: The Force Awakens is a return to form for the Star Wars saga and leaves me in no doubt the franchise is in very safe hands for the foreseeable future.

Abrams has crafted together a movie that won't only keep devoted fans happy, but will create a generation of newer fans, especially young girls, as the heroine Ray (Daisy Ridley) is one of the strongest female characters on film since Alien's Ellen Ripley.

But the rest of the cast is great too. 

Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) is just as menacing as his idol Darth Vader, although at times I found his voice off putting and a little hard to understand. 

Han Solo (Harrison Ford) is back to his scoundrel, smuggler self. It's actually a return to form for Ford who has being phoning it in for years now.

Solo is only as strong as his sidekick, and Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew) is as loyal and tough as ever.

The new droid on the block BB-8 is set to become a merchandise cash cow as Poe Dameron's (Oscar Issac) trusty sidekick, who steals many a scene that he is. Dameron himself is the Resistances best pilot and General Leia Organa's (Carrie Fisher) trusted off-sider.

The use of effects is kept within the limits of telling the story, and not the over saturation that Lucas became famous for, and not once do they take you out of the film.

The dog fights we've all become accustomed to between X-Wings and TIE Fighters are here, but unlike the usual back drop of outer space that we all know and love, they all take place on planets, using the landscapes as cover and visually look spectacular.

Whilst there's so much more I could say, I don't want to spoil the plot for those yet to see it. 

Everything that is old is new again. Almost right down to the nobody living quietly on a desert planet, who by chance ends up in the middle of an adventure of a lifetime that'll change the galaxy.

Although not the best Star Wars movie, it is certainly back on course and should stay on target. There has indeed being an awakening, and the force is once again strong.

- Matt Spillane