Review: Star Wars: The Force Awakens is a euphoric adventure

Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens in cinemas tomorrow, December 17 – and finally, here's our review from Time Out's Joshua Rothkopf... 

“Not only expert homage for the fans but a first-rate, energised piece of mega-Hollywood adventure, the hugely anticipated 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' stirs more to life than just The Force. The 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 JJ Abrams' euphoric sequel. It’s also got an infusion of modern-day humour that sometimes steers the movie this close to self-parody – but never sarcastically, nor at the expense of a terrific time.

The wheel need not be reinvented: virtually every plot point and action beat comes from 1977’s 'Star Wars' or 1980’s 'The Empire Strikes Back' (you even get a dormant lightsaber shivering in the snow), yet that’s perfectly fine when the vigour is this electric...”

See our full review of Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

▶ John Boyega (Finn) reveals the truth about filming Star Wars: The Force Awakens
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