Last month a new Star Wars movie, directed by J.J. Abrams, was released to theaters. Star Wars: The Force Awakens was released on December 18, 2015 and it has become the highest grossing movie of all time, not adjusted for inflation.

Before watching it, most people wonder if Star Wars: The Force Awakens will be as good as the original and prequel trilogies. The answer: an overwhelming yes! If you liked the original trilogy, you will love the new movie.

The new generation of Star Wars characters, led by Rey (Daisy Ridley) and Finn (John Boyega), were perfectly created. With great casting and great character development, J.J. Abrams definitely created two great new Star Wars characters.

Rey is a scavenger who lives on the planet Jakku while she awaits her family’s return. Finn is a Stormtrooper who turns on the First Order and escapes. When these two meet, the movie really begins.

Once they meet, they are forced to escape the planet because Stormtroopers are looking for a droid Rey found, BB-8, because it was given a secret map to Luke’s location. The three escape in the Millennium Falcon.

As we start to see the plot unfold, Rey and Finn run into the veterans of Star Wars, Luke (Mark Hamill), Leia (Carrie Fisher), and Han Solo (Harrison Ford). Luke only shows up in a brief scene, but his influence on the movie is essential.

The villain of the movie Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) has, along with the First Order, constructed what they call the Starkiller Base. The Starkiller Base is a planet that has been turned into a weapon capable of destroying star systems.

The First Order’s mission is to destroy the Resistance, led by General Leia, and eliminate Luke. The Resistance was created to oppose and defeat the First Order.

Both the Resistance and the First Order are looking for Luke. The Resistance wants Luke because they need his help to defeat the First Order. The First Order wants Luke because they want to kill him.

I give this movie a 4.5 out of 5 for its amazing plot, willingness to be bold, and character development. The only thing that lowered my rating for the movie is that some storylines were similar to that of previous Star Wars movies. For example, the Starkiller Base is very similar to the Death Star in the sense that they both had the power to destroy a planet.

Nevertheless, this movie definitely still deserves a 4.5 for being one of the best in the series. If you get a chance, I would highly recommend going to see this movie. Enjoy and may the force be with you!