Star Wars VII soars above and beyond expectations

On May 25, 1977, George Lucas unleashed his masterpiece, Star Wars, on the world and sent a shockwave through society. The film became a landmark in cinematic history and gave birth to a rich universe with limitless possibilities. It forever changed culture and spawned a franchise full of video games, television shows, comic books, novels and much more.
Flash forward to Dec. 18, 2015, and Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens arrives.
The Force Awakens has generated an intense amount of buzz with anticipation around the world. Now that it has hit screens, many questions arise. Is it better than the prequels? Is it as good as the originals? Will it be more like the classics? Will it do Star Wars justice? Director J.J. Abrams didn’t just do the beloved series justice, he raised the bar.
Abrams had an incredible amount of pressure on his shoulders. Star Wars sits in the hearts of many and has been with many since their childhood. This sets the expectations mighty high to please the purists. Casuals, the other major demographic, also plan to see this film. This means it has to be able to reach new people and make new fans. The Force Awakens has incredible crossover appeal and can please both types of viewers.
This film shares many similarities with the original films. The plot mirrors A New Hope in many ways. The Force Awakens contains a healthy dose of old-school vibe, thanks in part to the terrific performances by returning actors. Seeing classic characters again will surely bring nostalgic tears in the eyes of longtime fans. These returning cast members have just as much gusto as they did over 20 years ago.
Although The Force Awakens has a classic feel to it, it still blazes a trail of its own. The new characters are wonderful additions to the Star Wars universe. They fit in well and have distinct personalities. It is pure magic watching classic and new characters interact with each other.
One of this film’s strongest qualities is the writing. The dialogue is smart, witty and clever. The comic relief here contains genuine humor and is well-placed. The movie is quotable from start to finish.
The pacing is solid — it moves along at a healthy rate and never drags or feels rushed. The Force Awakens also has a great sense of adventure, always maintaining its fun and thrills.
This latest installment also pleases aesthetically and blossoms with creativity. The set design is fantastic –the new locations are interesting and often awe-inspiring. Meanwhile, the costuming is strong, and every character has a unique and detailed style of dress. The weapons, vehicles and every visible element in this movie please the eye. This movie is also shot well, with every still bound to be iconic. Viewers should appreciate the use of practical effects, as computer effects are not overused.
The Force Awakens is all killer, no filler and exceeds every expectation. It’s not just a movie, it’s an experience. It’s one of 2015’s best and must be watched. As a satisfying movie and sequel, it earns five stars. Impressive. Most impressive.