Opened: December 18, 2015

Directed by: J. J. Abrams

Starring: Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong’o, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, Joonas Suotamo, Max von Sydow, Tim Rose, Mike Quinn, Kipsang Rotich, Erik Bauersfeld, Kenny Baker, Jimmy Vee, Ewan McGregor, Frank Oz, Alec Guinness, Gwendoline Christie, Bill Hader, Ben Schwartz, Ken Leung, Simon Pegg, Greg Grunberg, Kiran Shah, Warwick Davis, Anna Brewster, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Kate Fleetwood, Pip Torrens & Billie Lourd

The first of the final trilogy of the Skywalker saga, The Force Awakens unites new characters with returning favorites and calls back to the best of the original trilogy.

When Rey (Daisy Ridley) and Finn (John Boyega) meet Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew & Joonas Suotamo), they join forces with the Resistance led by General Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher) to fight the First Order and search for Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill).

Unlike the middle trilogy, this film has a genuine heart. Being able to have the original actors come back and work alongside basically unknown actors makes allows you to get lost in this world and not focus on actors.

Much will feel familiar, but in doing so the director and screenwriters bring you into the best parts of this galaxy.

Final say: A much needed revival. ★★★★★