Imperial Advisor Arem Heshvaun's NO Spoiler Review of The Force Awakens

ABSOLUTELY NO SPOILERS.

Not even innuendos, because no matter how vague I think I may be, I'm sure someone will pick up on it.

I tired to make this review about 12 hours ago but could not log on to the Fantasy Flight page.

I was very fortunate to count myself as one of those who got to see the "New York premier" of The Force Awakens, and am very thankful to the kind and dear friend who got me the ticket. Truly, I owe her a lot and remain moved by her loving gesture.

As anyone who has read my posts here knows I am a true longtime fan of Star Wars in every sense of the word, since 1977, and I help with the first Star Wars Roleplaying game, but given that, I still am not blind to the fact that the Prequels were ... were not as beloved as the Original Trilogy.

What I am trying to say is that I can be critical when it counts. Do we not hold friends and loved ones to task when it is called for?

Fist off, my post from about two years ago.

And now

THE REVIEW

The audience I went with comprised of the New York media elite. You will be hard pressed to find a more jaded group of scum and villainy anywhere.

I am fairly sure there were a few skeptics among the fans.

Then the lights dimmed, the familiar music filled the room, the opening crawl started.

And there I was surrounded by some four hundred adults wearing expensive evening attire who despite themselves managed to reconnect with their wide eyed, opened mouthed, popcorn eating 6 and 7 year old selves again.

There were many loud cheers throughout the whole film, I stopped my "full applause count" at six, and those were well within the first hour alone.

I shed many a tear, and the gentlemen who I did not know on either side of me did as well, with no hint of shame or chagrin.

Why?

Simply put, because after many a decades long wait, after the ending credits of Return of the Jedi in 1983, we can once again look up on the silver screen and proclaim,

This IS A STAR WARS FILM!

By the first few minutes of celluloid alone it is beautifully clear, JJ Abrams and veteran co-writer Lawrence Kasdan have created a Space Opera that is compelling, exciting and larger than life. We live in the days where we can finally and proudly claim we once again have a movie that is well worthy an heir to the (Force) spirit of the Original Trilogy.

There can be no doubt JJ Abrams is a Star Wars fan, and his love for the Saga is evident. I'm sure the hashtag "JJ did it!" will pop up soon and often enough.

The pacing of the story is near perfect, Abrams/Kasdan know how to keep the story from getting bogged down, just as they know when to give the audience what they want right when they want it. There is enough parts nostalgia, emotional investment for the characters and good natured humor thrown in the film to let me forget that Trump is leading in national poles.

The musical score alone brought me back to the decade of Ronald Reagan!

If Abram's is heir to the Star Wars empire, and Kasdan the custodial Vizer of the transition, then John Williams unequivocally remains the uncontested 900 year old Jedi Master. He gets my vote for the first human we clone.

Was it as good as The Empire Strikes Back?

Oh come on you scruffy looking nerf herder!

In a New York minute see if you can name me five pieces of art as profound and memorable as Episode V.

Was it as good as A New Hope?

Mmmmmm ... it may come very close dear friends, it may come close.

MY Imperial ADVICE BEFORE YOU WATCH THE MOVIE

Avoid the spoilers, butter the popcorn, wear comfy clothes, SMILE. No need to be skeptical or have low expectations, leave your life's worries behind for two hours, and invite your six your old self along for the ride. Be a kid again. You owe it to yourself.

The Force Awakens is deserving successor of the Original Trilogy.

From George Lucas to JJ Abrams, and everyone in between, The Force is Strong once again!