Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens

This review may contain spoilers!

Not only is this the best Star Wars film to date but it is one of the greatest things to happen to the science fiction genre in many many years. I would give Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens a 10/10.

This film is everything that made the original trilogy classics while embracing the finer elements of modern cinema, this is the best film I have seen in years perhaps my entire life. The plot follows on well from Return of Jedi despite minimal references to backstory. Ultimately this is a film with new Star Wars leads and I couldn't be happier about it, the lead, Rey, is better than Luke and Anakin were and the main antagonist, Kylo Ren, is the greatest antagonist in the Star Wars universe easily. The story is very well constructed and the pacing is perfect, most every scene plays an important part in progressing the story or developing the characters. John Williams creates yet another award worthy score in Force Awakens; it's a sound that is the life blood of the film and will probably be immortalised for many years to come. The cinematography is incredibly immersive in this film, some of the best shots are the battle sequences where we see ship battles and land battles all happening in the same shot. The editing is an incredible throwback to classic Star Wars, I've missed those great transitions between scenes. The special effects within the film are an incredible blend between the style of the old films and what can be achieved with modern effects. The lightsaber duel between Rey and Kylo Ren in this film is perfectly choreographed; while very raw there was a lot of emotion in that single fight.

Mark Hamill, who played Luke Skywalker, is barely in this film but the few seconds he's onscreen is incredible; we are offered such an incredible emotional range in just those few seconds that has you rabid for the sequel. Adam Driver, who played Kylo Ren, is the greatest antagonist of the Star Wars universe in my opinion; Driver is wild as ren and particularly love seeing him lash out at his surroundings. Daisy Ridley, who played Rey, is the perfect lead for this film; she creates such a deep intricate character that you really connect with. John Boyega, who played Finn, is quite a fun performance; I liked it best when he was delivering comedic banter but more than that I enjoyed his chemistry with Ridley and Isaac. Oscar Isaac, who played Poe Dameron, is the cocky full-of-bravado X-Wing pilot we've been waiting for; you have to love Issac's earnest performance right down to his great interactions with BB-8. Lupita Nyong'o, who played Maz Kanata, gave a very sage performance; I think her speech to Rey about the Force is one of the best lines in the film. Andy Serkis, who played Supreme Leader Snoke, is such a great enigmatic antagonist; I really look forward to seeing more of this menacing threat in the sequels. Anthony Daniels, who played C-3PO, was a great return performance; I love seeing this pessimistic busy body droid getting under the feet of Fisher and Ford. Peter Mayhew, who played Chewbacca, had quite an emotional role to play in this film; when Ford died I think Mayhew's reaction was perfect.

However the best performance in the film came from Harrison Ford, who played Han Solo. From the minute Ford was back onscreen I knew he was right back into those old shoes of Han Solo, Ford quite simply knows how to play that role through and through. When Ford walks into the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon for the first time you feel a great sense of homecoming, this is a Star Wars film without a doubt. Ford interacts really well with every cast member in this film but I think he shows a lot of emotional range interacting with the likes of Boyega and Ridley. He just seems to be having fun in this film, look at him stealing Chewbacca's bowcaster more than once. The best scene we get from Ford is the interaction between him and Driver; the raw naked emotion here between father and son characters is incredibly sad and if you're not in tears by the time Ford has been stabbed then Star Wars is most certainly not for you.

If I had to criticise this film then I'd say that we get too many of the same shots and plot points that we've already seen in previous Star Wars films; for instance many shots of Jakku are replicating Tatooine shots from previous film, or the fact the big threat of the film is a bigger badder Death Star was quite disappointing even if it was executed well.

Carrie Fisher, who played Princess Leia, seems to have forgotten how to play her role completely; at the end of the day not all of the old cast was going to be able to reprise their respective roles perfectly but Fisher was so far from her source that you think they may have well recast. Domhnall Gleeson, who played General Hux, is a very corny over the top performance; you get very tired of seeing him in scenes very quickly. Max von Sydow, who played Lor San Tekka, is one of the most forgettable performances of the film; he doesn't even really interact well with Isaac. Gwendoline Christie, who played Captain Phasma, is quite a bland performance; frankly Christie delivers yet another disappointing overhyped character.