Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Certainly when it comes to film franchises, the Star Wars franchise has got to be one of the oldest around, considering the original "Star Wars" was released to packed theaters in 1977. Since then this phenomena has packed theaters since. "Star Wars: The Force Awakens", being the seventh installment--episode VI,  will undoubtedly gross major bucks at the box office like "Avatar" did a number of years prior.

Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) has vanished, and both the Resistance headed up by Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) who is now a general, and the sinister First Order headed up by Supreme Leader Snoke (Andy Serkis) and Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) are searching for him. Crack pilot Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac) inadvertently obtains a digital map to his whereabouts, but when everything goes wrong, a droid called BB-8 becomes the centre of the search, along with scavenger Rey (Daisy Ridley) and a stormtrooper deserter FN-2187 whom later Poe renames Finn (John Boyega), who have found the droid. Because they're attempting to protect the droid, they inadvertently end up fighting the First Order with the Resistance along with Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew) to put an end to this evil and to locate, once and for all, Luke Skywalker.

Others to round out the cast are Domhnall Gleeson as General Hux, Lupita Nyong'o as Maz Kanata, Anthony Daniels as C-3PO, and Max Von Sydow as Lor San Tekka.

This was effortlessly directed by J.J. Abrams ("Anatomy of Hope" (TV movie) '09, "Star Trek" '09, "Super 8" '11, "Star Trek Into Darkness" '13). Obviously this filmmaker knows a thing or two about the filming of a big-budget, high adrenaline, explosive movie--look at his resume, because it certainly speaks volumes. He's one of the few directors out there today that knows how to emit intensity from his actors as well as tenderness when needed and pull it off equally well depending on the scene at hand. It was equally well written by Lawrence Kasdan, Abrams and Michael Arndt. It has to be written well since these writers are seasoned, talented guys. Between all of them, their resume would go on forever. Suffice it to say, these guys can write a screenplay. And with the exception of a couple of very small slow places in script, this soared. There were places where the film looked like it didn't know what to do given a slower scene, but very quickly rebounded and then accelerated.
What can I say about the composer, John Williams. This guy is a movie composer legend. You know, the same guy who composed music for "Jaws", "Raiders of the Lost Ark", E.T. The Extra Terrestial", "Superman", "Lincoln", "War Horse", "A.I.", and the first "Star Wars" plus tons of others. His score fit this film so well it was amazing. And, of course, the visual effects by ILM (Industrial, Light & Magic) were absolutely seamless. Oscar nods could go to visuals, music and possibly photography-- time will only tell. There were a few surprises, but to say it will continue wouldn't ruin any surprise, because one would have to know it will continue before you walk in the multiplex.

For all the Star Wars freaks out there, you will revel, however even if this is not your franchise, one can still get something out of this considering the talented people working on this and the fun escapism story that will keep you riveted. Break out the popcorn!

Out of 4 Stars: 3.5                                    Rated: PG-13                                   135mins.