Before beginning the reviews I would like to note that both will be as spoiler free as possible.

My Review:

Star Wars: The Force Awakens had a large amount of pressure to do well. Fans have been waiting for a Star Wars movie that they deserve and one that continues the story of the original film. 30 years later and with J.J. Abrams directing, we have the film that brings Star Wars back, but is it what fans deserve? Yes, it definitely is.

The Force Awakens centers on a new set of characters to explore the galaxy far, far away. The new introductions the film centers on are Rey and Fin. Rey, played by relatively unknown actress Daisy Ridley, is a scavenger on the planet Jakku. Fin, played by John Boyega, is a Storm Trooper in the First Order that questions the morality of the First Order’s actions. BB-8 manages to provide comic relief while not being too distracting from the plot or unnecessary. The film’s main antagonist is Kylo Ren, and he is a great villain. He has emotional depth and you really want to learn more about his backstory. All of the new additions to this universe are great. Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, and Oscar Isaac all bring energy to their roles and are amazing as their characters.

Daisy Ridley’s Rey is a great female protagonist. She is capable of holding her own in a tough world and is not in the least bit sexualized. However, she is not cold and calloused, and is capable of caring for others. Rey is on the same level as Sarah Connor when it comes to powerful females in movies. Her character is interesting and easily became my favorite new addition. Characters like Rey are not found often in films and when they are, they often steal the show. This is definitely the case with Rey.

One of the best parts of The Force Awakens was the return of Harrison Ford as the scruffy-looking, nerf-herding, smuggler Han Solo. He could have been just shoehorned into this movie for nostalgia alone, but he actually served a purpose in the plot and had some of the best lines in the film. He was not Han Solo just 30 years later, you really feel as though he has aged, but has not lost any of his charm and wit. The scenes shared by Han and Leia are also great as were the interactions between Han and Chewbacca.

There is a large amount of fan service in this film, but that never gets in the way of the story. All of the references to previous entries provide for some great humor. There are also many Easter eggs and cameos from celebrities that were really fun to notice and will be appreciated by many viewers that manage to catch them.

An aspect of this film that separates it from the prequels is the use of practical effects. The Force Awakens is shot on location and uses the least amount of practical effects possible. The landscapes are captivating, and the battle sequences are greatly enhanced by the real explosions. This really brings you into the film and makes it feel more like the originals.

The story may be a little tried at points, but it has some interesting turns and never ceased to lose my interest. The universe is continually expanded without pausing the overarching plot of the film. The Force Awakens is not overbearing with exposition. The story moves pretty fast but does not lose the viewer. There is plenty of action that shows rather than tells. The action in The Force Awakens is purposeful and great. It is presented clearly and really makes you feel as though you are a part of this universe.

The only issues I had with this film were incredibly minimal. The motion captured performances of Lupita Nyong’o and Andy Serkis stood out a little more because of the practical scenery. That was all I had an immediate issue with and it was an issue I can easily overlook. The plot does borrow a little too much from other films which may be a bigger issue for others. However, many, like myself, will be more than fine with the finished product.

The Force Awakens is the Star Wars movie we have been waiting to see. Old fans will feel as though this is the film we have been waiting 30 years for. J.J. Abrams delivers the beginning to what looks to be an amazing trilogy. If you are not a fan of Star Wars you might not find as much enjoyment in this film as others, but will still have some fun. This might have been the most fun that I have had in a movie this year. I used to only think of A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back as the only great Star Wars Films, now there are three great Star Wars films. The Force Awakens is a balance between being a love letter to the originals and a new story that will define a generation. I cannot wait to have my questions answered in future installments and see where these new characters take us.

Rating: Hokey religions and ancient weapons prove to be just as good 30 years later.

Osprey Contributor Aiden Grayson’s review:

Star Wars: The Force Awakens is one of those movies that just leaves you with a huge grin on your face and butterflies in your stomach. After all of the grievances still in the back of every Star Wars fan, it was difficult to predict whether the new movie would be worth watching. Even with an experienced director like J.J. Abrams, Star Wars had a lot to live up too, and the potential for failure was exorbitantly high. But it pulled through almost flawlessly.

In many ways the movie has been remastered for a new generation for younger viewers. The film is composed of almost entirely new faces, and a few of the more iconic old ones. This works to the films advantage by allowing someone who may not be as well versed in the complex story to easily see the movie and get a great deal of enjoyment out of it. Which brings me to one of my only complaints for the film. Many of these new characters have very little connection with the old films, which is somewhat disappointing for fans who were hoping for something a little bit deeper and exploratory of the Star Wars universe after the fall of the empire. By no means will this be a deal breaker for anyone, but still is a minor annoyance.

Although the film doesn’t go as deep as many would have hoped, JJ Abrams did produce a wonderful and exciting plot that reinvigorates fans who may have lost hope after the last 3 films. Starting off with new characters such as Rey, played by Daisy Ridley, and Finn, played by John Boyega. The film places these characters with fan favorites Han Solo and Princess Leia, and thrusts them into an exciting adventure that, without spoiling too much, forces them to bond together with the Rebel Alliance (now the Resistance) to take down a new enemy. This is where I feel the plot falters slightly, none of this is new, and many of these stories we’ve seen before. This is extremely obvious when the First Order’s evil plan is revealed and when the rebels reveal their plan against it. The Force Awakens feels less like a welcome home for fans and more like a slight rehash of A New Hope. But with some very good writing, acting, and the dilapidated and depressing memory of the last 3 films still lingering in the minds of viewers, this is easily overlooked.

After seeing this film my fears of Disney ruining Star Wars were all but gone. I believe that even though this film wasn’t the best in the series, it was pretty great. It leaves an excellent foundation in which to build another great series, and gives an easy gateway for those who have never seen the old ones. I feel as though this was only a taste of what’s to come, and it only leaves me wanting more.