STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS (review- no spoilers); New and Nostalgiac

(Edited to add: Not only do I think this movie is great for even non-Star Wars ‘freaks’ (said with total respect), but also for children (as long as they won’t need to go to the bathroom in that 2 and a half hour window because you will not want to leave the theater–or disturb others who are into the movie).  I don’t remember a scene that makes me hesitate to take any of my favorite little people–though there will be parts that scare you–not because they’re frightening as much as they’re startling–coming out of nowhere when you least expect. I did not see it in 3D and wish I had–there were scenes that I know would have been so much better in 3D.)

Theme music filled the theater at the start of STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS and I got chills. I knew this moment was BIG. And the action hit pretty much right off the top.

Over the next two hours and 16 minutes, new faces mixed with old. The scenes sucked me in and kept me in my seat, desperate to not miss a line or another twist in the plot.

Some scenes had me flashing back to episodes of years ago, while just the right amount of comedy and love connection made it fresh and fun for even the non-Star Wars fans of the past to appreciate STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS.

You know those people who can never be pleased—who always want more than what they’re given? Well, that’s me after seeing STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS.

Don’t get me wrong—I loved the movie, and I’m not a huge Star Wars fan, so that says a lot (keep reading—don’t dismiss my opinion for admitting that—I think in a way that gives me a unique perspective here).

Sure, I’ve seen the previous movies. A couple times, many years ago.

I can quote a line or two. But I’m not that person who bought the Star Wars underoos and bedsheets, collected the figures and kept them unopened in their boxes, or counted down the minutes until this movie was finally released.

But after watching this latest episode, what I want to know most is when the NEXT one will be released, because there’s definitely some unfinished business after the final scene. And, this movie has made a fan of me.

I’m not quite sure how the devout fans are going to like this latest episode, though the other media critics around me when I saw it (who were dedicated fans from their youth) said they loved it. They compared it to watching a trilogy all in one movie. There was one complaint from a viewer that there were some similarities to past episodes that they felt made it disappointing. But I found it anything but.

I was worried that not being a huge fan of the series would leave me lost during this new release. That was not the case at all, so I hope that allows some of you to let go of those fears (and not feel obligated to watch a day-long marathon of the older movies, though I may go back and watch them now just to catch myself up since I’m a newly created follower).

It certainly helps to know who the past characters are because some familiar faces show up in this movie, but you probably already know about them if you’ve seen the trailers (trying hard not to include spoilers here).

I instantly fell for most of the new characters, especially Rey, the feisty female who, in my opinion, steals the show.

I have to admit, though, it took my mind some adjusting to see the actor who plays Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) as anything but the character he plays in Girls (which, I’m pretty sure most Star Wars fans never watch, so they probably won’t have that same frustration).

There are scenes that’ll make you mad and sad, and I’m dying to discuss it, but don’t want to spoil your fun, so I’ll say no more on that.

What I will say is when a movie makes you want to sit in your seat when it’s over and wait for the next one to come out and reveal more…more of what’s ahead…then that’s a hit in my book. You’ll be talking about it afterwards, no doubt, disputing different roles and how they might be connected, but it may take the next movie to get our real answers.

In the meantime, this is one I’ll gladly watch again and again.

(Want another critic’s review?  Read this from my pal @Cindy Simmons from Surviving Mommy–a much bigger Star Wars fan than me before the movie, so her perspective may be different.)