"Have you felt it?"
Star Wars is back in every way.
Regardless of your feelings on the infamous prequel trilogy, it's a fact that it divided the Star Wars fanbase. The Force Awakens is just what the saga needed - unifying Star Wars fans once more.
This was the best movie experience I have ever had. After waiting 12 hours in line, the atmosphere of the opening night was filled with wondrous anticipation. There were costumes and lightsabers, people laughing and strangers mingling. A guy in our theater flew around a remote controlled Millennium Falcon to the crowd's delight. Kids playfully dueled in the open space in front of the mammoth IMAX screen.
It was the best audience - there were times the cheering drowned out the surround sound - but at the most important moments, you could hear a pin drop.
The Force Awakens has all the charm of a Star Wars movie. The characters it introduces are extremely lovable and the characters it brings back somehow become more lovable.
It's hilarious, action packed, and sincere - you can see the passion that was poured into each performance, the set design, and all of the film's effects - both practical and computer-generated.
Some of the moments do feel strongly reminiscent of earlier movies, and the film does hit some of the beats from A New Hope, but it is different in more ways than similar. I've heard TFA described as "an awesome mixtape of the original trilogy". Isn't that what Star Wars is about? Telling an old story in a new, fresh, exciting way?
Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Lupita Nyong'o, Domhnall Gleeson, Andy Serkis - these talented people bring their roles to life in a way that their characters seamlessly become iconic.
In short, this is movie magic at its finest - an enthralling, thrilling, passionate ride that was blended perfectly - reminding old fans of what makes the saga so special and roping in a whole new generation of fans (who now have 6 other movies to explore while we wait for VIII).
Of course it's not a perfect movie, but I couldn't have asked for a better one.
The force has awakened, working in new, fascinating, and mysterious ways.
John Williams is back.
BB-8 is adorable, Kylo Ren is terrifying, and Luke Skywalker is - well, you'll have to see for yourself.
Thank you to everyone who cared about making this movie. It shows.
In the words of Patton Oswalt, "JJ did it".
Now, the waiting game begins again - only 521 days to go until Episode VIII.
At least we'll have Rogue One to tide us over.
May the force be with us.
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