REVIEW: Why you should see the new Star Wars film, even if you don't like Star Wars

There are NO SPOILERS in this artcle.

A long time ago in a 'galaxy far, far away'… I was made to sit through all six Star Wars films. Ok so it wasn’t really a galaxy far, far away, I was just on holiday and what better way to pass some down time than watch a film, starting with the film that changed a generation?

When the original film Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope came out in 1977 I wasn’t born and by the time I was, the trilogy had been over for 5 years. Thus, it was going to be risky watching them aged 27, on a small device, whilst travelling...

I loved the humour, the chemistry between Han Solo and Princess Leia (Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher) and it was great to see the iconic moments such as 'No I am your father' and 'the Force is strong in this one' put into context. They were actually alright. Episodes I, II and III really weren't, so the less said on these films the better.

I’m trying to build the background that despite going to the midnight screening of Episode VII: The Force Awakens, I wasn’t a super fan, or even a fan - which is why I was surprised by the fact that I loved it.

Not only does the action kick in straight away, there is a fantastic balance of excitement and intrigue at what the deeper story will be, who is behind the mask of Kylo Ren, how is it possible for a Stormtrooper to have a conscience, where is Luke Skywalker and who will make it to the end of the film…

I had loved from the original trilogy how Princess Leia got involved and didn’t really need rescuing, she was strong and not helpless, however with The Force Awakens they have completely stepped it up a gear with the introduction of a young woman scavenger named Rey (played by English actress Daisy Ridley).

To put it simply, she completely kicks ass. If Luke Skywalker could be an inspiration to a generation of young boys then any girls off to see the film will feel the same about Rey. The performance is strong as we cheer, cry and laugh along with her. She's very similar to Keira Knightley in Pirates of the Caribbean, and that's a good thing.

She works with the male characters and proves that she doesn't need saving. There’s a joke about how she’s being dragged along by a guy and she tells him off, “What are you doing? I know how to run without you holding my hand."

This isn’t the only funny line, in fact there is humour throughout and I found myself not just having a chuckle but full on laughing at times. John Boyega is impressive as Finn and the dynamic between his character and Rey's will have audiences laughing, smiling and then shedding a little tear.

The introduction of the droid, BB8, is a fantastic move. The film makers have completely captured emotions and conveyed them through a machine that in reality can only communicate through bleeping. I'm not going to lie, in the same way if I see cat videos I want a kitten, I kind of wanted this droid to be real and mine.

As for the bad guy, we all know who Darth Vader is; tall, commanding and with a trademark breathy voice. All the elements of this original baddie are found in Kylo Ren, played by Adam Driver, but from what happens in the film there's going to be a far stronger battle between choosing a side of the 'Force.' One spoiler - you will NOT like this man.

There’s action, sentiment, strong characters, great role models, drama, love and banter, all wrapped up in a film that despite having two more instalments to come, can be watched as a stand alone film. There's a real sense in this film that the characters care about each other.

There’s enough balance between a throwback to the original films (Leia, Han Solo, Chewie and the Millennium Falcon are back) but there's also enough character development and plot to kick start a trilogy that could be as strong as the first.

If you’re being dragged to see it then I’d say sit back, enjoy the action and DEFINITELY try see it in 3D.

This film has been hyped up but it’s worth it. As they’d say in the films ‘The Force is strong in this one’.

Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens is in cinemas now, see the trailer here...

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