The trio of new heroes are compelling. Daisy Ridley shows her budding star power in her excellent portrayal of Rey, the trilogy’s new lead. That is not to sell John Boyega and Oscar Isaac short. They both bring it and offer much of the film’s humor. Adam Driver also gives a solid performance as the film’s villain. He takes an easily one note character and offers some texture.

Truly, there is not much wrong with the movie. If one were to watch each scene on its own, what shows is strong filmmaking, solid performances, and old school fun. But, viewed as a whole, the film is a carbon copy of Star Wars Episode 4 – A New Hope. Seriously, every single scene from the original Star Wars film is represented! Want a scene where a little cute droid unit gets plans that the Empire/First Order want to acquire? You got it! A nice desert setting with an orphan imbued with the force? Got that, too. How about a wise mentor who lived through the previous war, or sand smugglers trying to steal the cute droid, or a cantina scene, or the person carrying the plans being captured by the bad guys and needing to be rescued but not before setting up the scenario wherein the good guys can escape and destroy the Death Star (or in this film, Strakiller Base) or how about familial ties between the heroes and villain or a confrontation between the wise mentor and the film’s big bad? It’s all here!