FUCK.

I laughed. I cried. I got genuine, bona-fide chills. I cheered. I wanted to leap in the air and hug every human, droid, and alien in the vicinity. STAR WARS isn't just back, but fully expanded and revitalized. It's a genuine spectacle with enough history and operatic energy to fill every STAR WARS fan with undiluted glee and vicious emotion.

I now believe in aliens, because JJ Abrams somehow convinced them to revive the essential spirit of the original STAR WARS trilogy. I don't know how you did it you crazy fuck, but somehow, this was everything that I wanted it to be and more.

Chewie, we're home.

Full (and spoiler-free) review now up!

95/100

"I know all about waiting. For my family. They'll be back, one day...."

This is when I broke down. The loss and aching emptiness. A world with no respect for beginnings and an environment with no evolution after the desolation of the past. A confused, sweltering galaxy held together by children of trauma, running away yet always trying to get conformed back into normalcy. The pinky, fading horizons lead to adventures of glowing hope; a fluid expanse of the laborous ruts of a post-war generation.

This is my Star Wars.

On-the-nose-cheeky-wink-wink-a new hope-nudge-nudge-know-what-I-mean-fellow-geeksters-lightsabers-all those sounds-that music-droids-camera-action-NO FUCKING LENSFLARES-tripping-over-references-in-a-good-way-practial-effects-ARE THOSE ACTUAL MASKS??-X wings-Tie fighters-Star Destroyers-Oh My!-old friends-new friends-fun.

So much fun.

This was all quite brilliant.

(Old impressions, not based on a recent viewing)

A breakneck paced action movie that doesn't give you enough breathing room to realize how middling the story actually is. Plenty of spectacle and plenty of excitement, but the story draws on familiar ground so heavily that it sucks out any drama out of the movie and the one massive moment of the movie is so heavily foreshadowed that it loses any unpredictability cause you already knew it was coming. Upon all the familiarity it isn't surprising that Kylo Ren being the most unique part of The Force Awakens is easily the best part, since nothing else comes even close to feeling as inspired as his whole character.

Having enjoyed HAL 9000's edit of The Last Jedi, I thought I'd check out his Restructured version of Star Wars VII. Having not seen Force Awakens for quite some time, I'm not sure how much has been changed. This seems to address a few issues that, thanks to J.J.'s breakneck pacing, I didn't even realise were issues. Having said that, the shifting of certain elements to later in the proceedings does make for a slightly more impactful final act.

This review may contain spoilers. I can handle the truth.

같은 이야기를 하면서도 새로워 보일 수 있다는 J.J. 에이브럼스의 자신감. 일단은 인정.

could have used more Oscar Isaac

A beautiful return to form for Star Wars with rich new characters and beautiful imagery.

A good palate cleanser.

The Force Awakens has it all. Memorable lines. Memorable action sequences. Memorable moments that stick with you. It’s so magnetic.

Harrison Ford, ladies and gentlemen.

By the end, it truly feels like you’ve been on an adventure. Completed by the accompaniment of John Williams’ magnificent score and Dan Mindel’s beautiful cinematography.

What will Luke say?

I was stressing out about schoolwork and finished studying and just needed to watch a film I really love, and it's been a while since I last watched a Star Wars film, especially this one, so I figured now was a better time than ever to revisit it.

And yeah, it's still great.