There’s been an awakening. Have you felt it? After years of anticipation, “The Force Awakens” does bring balance back to the Star Wars franchise. The film manages to recapture the magic of what made George Lucas’s original trilogy so special.

The movie wastes no time getting things going as the first sentence of the signature opening crawl sets the stage for the remainder of the film. “The Force Awakens” also introduces viewers to the new batch of characters right away, and they come together in a way that harkens back
to the chance encounters of the original movie. It is clear that Rey is the main hero of the new group and Daisy Ridley shines in the role, delivering a delightful and capable heroine. John Boyega’s Finn and Oscar Isaac’s Poe are also fantastic and bring the swagger and wit to the movie. The stars of the original trilogy are also back with Harrison Ford doing a great job playing an aged version everyone’s favorite smuggler Han Solo, who actually has a main role in the new story.

For every new hero, there is also a new villain. While some villains may be saved for the sequels, Adam Driver’s Kylo Ren is at the forefront of this movie and also gives a spectacular performance. Driver does a good job of show- ing depth in a role that could’ve been one-dimensional.

This review would be nothing if there was not a mention of BB-8, the new plucky droid that essentially steals the show. In addition to being crucial to the plot, BB-8 is every bit as adorable as he was marketed to be. This is due, in part, to the droid being a practical character, which makes his emotes and accomplishments even more remarkable.

The film is also very visually stunning with a reliance on practical effects over CGI. The action sequences and space battles are exhilarating to watch as the camera puts viewers straight in the thick of the action.

“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” is the movie it was promised to be, with fantastic new characters, utmost respect for the original trilogy and a strong understanding of what makes the franchise click with fans. The new ad- ditions to the universe are work best for the movie, though there is a slight over-reliance on tying things back to the original movies in terms of structure. Overall, the film is a fantastic return to form and brings a sense of mystery back to the franchise that leaves fans eagerly awaiting the next installment.