The Force Awakens is the reunion Star Wars fans have been waiting for

This holiday season, the force awakened in Star Wars fans across the nation as “Star Wars: Episode VII” was finally released. Eager fans, including myself, suited up as characters like Princess Leia and Han Solo to see those yellow words scroll before us once again.

As a Star Wars fan, “The Force Awakens” was an amazing experience. This film was a beautiful transition from the original trilogy to a new era of “Star Wars.” Through visual images that refer to scenes in the original trilogy and perfectly executed jokes that refer to the past, fans were able to really be placed back into the galaxy that they passionately loved and missed.

While Harrison Ford’s beloved Han Solo, Carrie Fisher’s Princess Leia and Mark Hamill’s Luke Skywalker were key components in the film’s storyline, they never seemed to overshadow the new cast and characters.

References to the past and scenes involving Han and Leia never seemed like the most important part of the film. In the contrary, these scenes gave fans what they wanted in respect to paying homage to the original trilogy while allowing fans to reattach their love for Star Wars to new characters, storylines and places.

The new cast of Daisy Ridley as Rey, John Boyega as Finn and Oscar Isaac as Poe Dameron brought to life an entirely new dynamic of characters in Star Wars. The elements of humanity and loyalty that these characters brought to the screen were crucial to the film’s success.

After countless fans had already dedicated themselves to Han, Leia and Luke, “The Force Awakens” was obligated to bring characters equally as intriguing and memorable. Through Rey, Finn and Poe, the creators of this film did not disappoint.

Similarly, the original droids C-3PO and R2-D2 were treated with the same amount of cinematic respect. While both played minor roles in the film and were given the screen time that Star Wars fans wanted of them, they were not crucial droids in the storyline.

With new characters and new technology, it only makes sense that new and more innovative droids are relevant in the storyline. The integration of Poe Dameron’s droid BB-8 left fans pleasantly surprised with a new droid that was entirely adorable, lovable, strong-willed and funny just like its predecessors.

While many viewers have criticized the film for its parallel similarities with “A New Hope,” I think it is only fair to wait for Episode VIII to judge where the new story line will be taken. Because “The Force Awakens” was the first in a new series, it was in some ways obligated to mirror the original trilogy.

Now that the first film has been made and fans have had their long awaited reunion with their beloved Star Wars, the creators are free to take the story in whichever direction they please. It will only be fair to judge the similarities between the new series and the original trilogy once more of the storyline has been revealed. Until then, we can sit back and wonder who on earth Rey’s parents are.