Recently, I wrote an article regarding the expectations for the new Star Wars movie. You can find that here.

After two weeks of final exams and papers, I was ready to sit in an IMAX 3D and basque in the glory of galactic greatness with a few friends of mine. Now, if you are still one who has not seen it, I encourage you to go experience it yourself. For me, it was a lot of fun. And regardless of whether you are a newcomer to the franchise or not, you should still go. The experience was great. I had not been to a major Manhattan movie theater in quite some time, but coming back made me see what I was missing out on. Waiting on line in the cold outside the theater, bursting at the seams with expectation, making friends with those next to me, laughing and crying and clapping and cheering with my fellow moviegoers as the movie carried me through, I definitely enjoyed myself.

Now, many critics are saying many different things, and I could add to the analytical discussion, but I do not want to (at least not in this context). All I want to speak of is this: it was fun.

In my prior article, I ended by highlighting how this movie just had to add something new to the franchise. And it did. The new characters were interesting, yet still mysterious in their own right. The movie also stayed in line with the good vs. evil theme that so intensely resonates with its audiences. It is not a straight-forward that guy is bad, that guy is good cliche either. It is complicated, to say the least. The action was all-around entertaining, but it was not necessarily superficial. It appealed to pathos. It carried memorable moments of character development and incredibly exciting moral victories as well as actual victories (and some disheartening defeats). The movie kept you guessing even though it followed a similar formula. But hey, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. You'll know what I mean if you watch it.

In short, this was the most restrained thing I have ever had to write. There are so many things I want you to see and think about, but I will not spoil it. The experience is too great in and of itself. So go live it. Then you can love it or hate it or be somewhere in the middle. That's where I am (though I am leaning heavily in one direction).

And if you have made up your mind and refuse to see it for whatever reason, just remember this: only a Sith deals in absolutes.

For the rest of you, may the force be with you.