The Force Awakens: Star Wars Part: VII

The newest installment of the Disney-era Star Wars movies has launched. It's killing it at the box office, but it felt like it was just a the first building block of creating a mega-franchise with off-shoots in a lot of directions. Without trying to give anything away because the film was as closely guarded as our nuclear codes the film picks up 30-40 years after Return of the Jedi, probably closer to 30 than anything. The Empire has morphed in the First Order lead by a Supreme Overlord and policed by Kylo Wren, a clear Darth Vader disciple. There is still a Galactic Senate ruling, but there exists a resistance, very similar to the Rebellion before it. They dust off some old characters, introduce a cavalcade of new ones, and hope they advance the ball far enough in this film to leave everyone happy and the potential for many more films, which it accomplishes. The CGI is excellent. Story is acceptable. Acting is very good. I was personally disappointed in the lack of Wedge Antilles, the true hero of the death star battles, but I'm probably flying solo on that one. Bottom Line: 8.5 out of 10. I'm a Star Wars guy, so I'm trying to be somewhat objective. I do like the new characters introduced and see them having successful careers stemming from this series. I'd see this in theatres, mainly because it's a cultural revolution apparently, but it's also very entertaining.