Well, it was about time.

A big thanks to the Star Wars franchise for giving us an episode where a female character is the protagonist who kicks some First Order butt.

I am no expert on Star Wars, but I do know quite a few things about feminism and the female battle to expand our roles in the media. And may I start by saying that I never drew connections to myself in any of the previous movies. I didn't feel any pull towards Han Solo or Princess Leia. I didn't want to be any of them.

But thanks to "The Force Awakens," Rey has been added to my list of bada** women I don't mind being introduced to my possible future daughter.

However, some people have complained that Rey is "too perfect" and that the movie is a product of "liberal dreams." Even some going on to say that she is a "Mary Sue"-- meaning she too perfect, unrealistic, and uninteresting. But as Tasha Robinson states in The Verge, we can either roll with it or we can pick at every element of her character and advance nowhere.

So I'm going to choose to do the latter and recognize that Rey is the strong character that every female Star Wars fan has been waiting for.

(This is where the spoilers start.)

Rey is first and foremost a fierce, intelligent, and brave young women who takes on the task of helping The Resistance after saving a BB-8 bot. What seemed like a simple act of kindness spiraled her into an adventure that would help her defeat The First Order's evil plan and awaken the force inside her.

Rey is continuously incredible throughout the movie, only slightly faltering as she aches for the parents that abandoned her and the overwhelming news that the force is calling out to her; which is all understandable and reminds us that she is, indeed, human. She is the pinnacle of the strong female character, and yes even slightly "unrealistic" at times. But isn't Spiderman? We're not questioning his intelligence, physicality, or general wit and personality. Plus her skills don't range from professional gymnast to expert pilot-- her talents have been developed through her scavenger background and apparent work with mechanics and ships. She doesn't suddenly know how to triple backflip away from her enemies, her skills are specialized in certain areas, so she's not some super-powered know-it-all.

(And well, this is science fiction, just in case you forgot.)

But what Rey actually is, is a product of feminist dreams! We've been fighting for increased representation in the media and here is an icon we can look to for female empowerment. Not that Rey is the end-game for the movement, but it's an incredible stride. From piloting and fixing the Millennium Falcon to miraculously using her newfound skills to manipulate a stormtrooper with the force, Rey isn't the damsel in distress or the sidepiece that we're all too familiar with. She doesn't break down and need Finn to save her, in fact she leads to pack from the very beginning.

Rey is the one who helps Finn survive and although he is a key player in the adventure, she's the one who ultimately defeats Kylo Ren and journeys off to find Luke Skywalker.

Because she's the one with the force!! Hello? Quick side note. Why are the posters in every store and mall so misleading?! I'm hoping the intent behind this marketing strategy was to keep the plot a mystery and not for the reason my boyfriend had joked: "Because who is willingly going to go see a movie where the woman is the main character?" (Don't worry he's a feminist.)

But I still give it up to Star Wars for getting with the times. Let's take a moment to appreciate how Rey is depicted in the main theater posters opposed to how Leia was:

Nonetheless, Rey is the never-back-down feminist icon we all needed. Not once was she sexualized, struggling with romantic interests, or sitting back, waiting to be rescued. She could run ahead of the boys, pilot ships better, and even defeat the Dark Side better. And though we knew Finn had a crush on her, Rey didn't acknowledge it or let it get in her way of winning the battle. Rey didn't stop her journey to stay by his side as he lay in the hospital bed. She hopped on that ship and went to find Luke. And maybe she ends up with Finn in the end, but hey that's a bonus to everything else she'll accomplish.

So whether you're a die hard Star Wars fanatic or a casual feminist viewer like me, hopefully you're on the Light Side of the argument and are rooting for Rey and her adventures as you would any other male hero. I'll be counting down the days until I can see Rey grow to her greatest potential.

For now, we'll see if the Star Wars franchise can live up to its task. So far, post-movie, it's been disappointing. #WheresRey

Find out more here. (And find Rey, Hasbro.)