
Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens
The first Star Wars film since Disney bought the rights to George Lucas' space opera franchise, directed by J.J. Abrams (Lost). Also the first in a planned trilogy (extending the movie saga with episodes seven, eight and nine), the story is set 35 years after Return of the Jedi. Lucas' main cast returns alongside Oscar Isaac (Inside Llewyn Davis), John Boyega (Attack the Block), Adam Driver (TV's Girls) Daisy Ridley and Andy Serkis (Lord of the Rings).
- Director:
- J.J. Abrams ('Star Trek', 'Super 8', TV's 'Lost')
- Writer:
- J.J. AbramsLawrence Kasdan
- Cast:
- Oscar IsaacJohn BoyegaDaisy RidleyAdam DriverMark HamillHarrison FordCarrie FisherMax von SydowAndy SerkisAnthony DanielsPeter MayhewDomhnall GleesonKenny BakerGwendoline ChristieLupita Nyong'o

Reviews & comments

Flicks, Steve Newall
flicksTo exit the cinema with not just a sense of relief but joyous excitement says it all. The Force Awakens immediately transports its audience into a Star Wars universe both familiar and mysterious, and from there director J.J. Abrams delights in introducing new characters and working through a roll call of familiar faces. Sure, at times the fan service gets a little heavy, and you can almost picture Abrams working through a checklist of things to include, but these are minor quibbles for a franchise which has already seen George Lucas cannibalise his own ideas several times over - not to mention ramming characters into shot in order to sell toys.
Return to Star Wars
I loved this film, I saw it four times at the cinema and now own the Blu Ray and seen it a further two times. So spoiler alert this is a positive review. I grew up watching Star Wars as a kid was in my first year of High School when the prequels started coming out with the disappointing Phantom Menace. After seeing every trailer I went into this movie...

Variety
pressBrings welcome jolts of energy, warmth and excitement back to the biggest franchise in movie history... For impressive stretches [Abrams] achieves the action-packed buoyancy of the old Saturday morning serials that partly inspired Star Wars in the first place.

Total Film
pressThe movie that fans wanted, the movie that fans deserve. And it’s only fitting that it is, beneath the scintillating action and striking world-building, a film about parents and children, about the effects of one generation on the next, about legacy.

Time Out
pressThe rollicking, space-opera spirit of George Lucas's original trilogy (you can safely forget the second trio of cynical, tricked-up prequels) emanates from every frame of J.J. Abrams euphoric sequel.

The New York Times
pressIt has the usual toy-store-ready gizmos and critters, but it also has appealingly imperfect men and women whose blunders and victories, decency and goofiness remind you that a pop mythology like Star Wars needs more than old gods to sustain it.

The Guardian
pressOutrageously exciting and romantic return to a world you hadn’t realised you’d missed so much.

Little White Lies
pressThe Star Wars movie for people who don't like Star Wars. Pure, old-school pleasure.

Hollywood Reporter
pressPumps new energy and life into a hallowed franchise in a way that both resurrects old pleasures and points in promising new directions.

Empire Magazine
pressFilmmaking on an enormous scale and it packs a planet-sized punch, launching a new generation of characters who – by the end – take a place next to Han, Leia and the rest.

Flicks, Steve Newall
flicksTo exit the cinema with not just a sense of relief but joyous excitement says it all. The Force Awakens immediately transports its audience into a Star Wars universe both familiar and mysterious, and from there director J.J. Abrams delights in introducing new characters and working through a roll call of familiar faces. Sure, at times the fan service gets a little heavy, and you can almost picture Abrams working through a checklist of things to include, but these are minor quibbles for a franchise which has already seen George Lucas cannibalise his own ideas several times over - not to mention ramming characters into shot in order to sell toys.

Variety
pressBrings welcome jolts of energy, warmth and excitement back to the biggest franchise in movie history... For impressive stretches [Abrams] achieves the action-packed buoyancy of the old Saturday morning serials that partly inspired Star Wars in the first place.

Total Film
pressThe movie that fans wanted, the movie that fans deserve. And it’s only fitting that it is, beneath the scintillating action and striking world-building, a film about parents and children, about the effects of one generation on the next, about legacy.

Time Out
pressThe rollicking, space-opera spirit of George Lucas's original trilogy (you can safely forget the second trio of cynical, tricked-up prequels) emanates from every frame of J.J. Abrams euphoric sequel.

The New York Times
pressIt has the usual toy-store-ready gizmos and critters, but it also has appealingly imperfect men and women whose blunders and victories, decency and goofiness remind you that a pop mythology like Star Wars needs more than old gods to sustain it.

The Guardian
pressOutrageously exciting and romantic return to a world you hadn’t realised you’d missed so much.

Little White Lies
pressThe Star Wars movie for people who don't like Star Wars. Pure, old-school pleasure.

Hollywood Reporter
pressPumps new energy and life into a hallowed franchise in a way that both resurrects old pleasures and points in promising new directions.

Empire Magazine
pressFilmmaking on an enormous scale and it packs a planet-sized punch, launching a new generation of characters who – by the end – take a place next to Han, Leia and the rest.
Return to Star Wars
I loved this film, I saw it four times at the cinema and now own the Blu Ray and seen it a further two times. So spoiler alert this is a positive review. I grew up watching Star Wars as a kid was in my first year of High School when the prequels started coming out with the disappointing Phantom Menace. After seeing every trailer I went into this movie...
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