Star Wars The Force Awakens 1st Viewing - My Thoughts

So the day is finally here and the time has come to see Star Wars Episode VII The Force Awakens. I'm seeing it at one of the better theaters in town Arclight Sherman Oaks. It's in 3D with ATMOS Dolby audio. I choose this theater because it has assigned seating (which is a must now a days) and I love ATMOS audio. I would have preferred to not see it in 3D my first time but the ATMOS theater was only playing it in 3D.

I got off work and headed to the theater a few hours before the movie was to start, I was meeting up with some friends. We grabbed a bite to eat at Buffalo Wild Wings before heading to the theater around 9:30pm to watch the 10pm showing.

Of course I was excited to see a new Star Wars movie but it really didn't hit me that I was about to actually and truly see a Star Wars movie. We were waiting at the doorway to the theater when the previous showing was let out. I have to say folks coming out were mumbling but not a single person was talking out loud or spoiling anything. Just to be safe I actually moved away from the crowd. Once they all exited we made our way in and found our seats.. I was excited but still not overwhelmed at seeing a new Star Wars. The previews started and I watched and anticipated the start of the film.

As soon as the LucasFilms logo come up and my heart started to race.. then suddenly the words STAR WARS and the oh so familiar music began and the tears started to roll. The scroll started and I was on the edge of my seat reading the words through the tears. It finally hit me.. I was in a movie theater watching a new Star Wars film... and not only was it a Star Wars film but Episodes VII... something that I had wished for for thirty years.. it was actually happening right now!!!

The next two hours and 16 minutes were a blur. I laughed, I gasped, I cried and I cheered at ever scene. I LOVED THIS MOVIE!!! I fell in love with BB-8, Poe, Finn, Maz, Kylo and especially Rey. It was great seeing Han, Leia, Chewie, R2 and CPO again. I loved every minute of it and was so happy that I went into it pretty spoiler free.

I knew that I was going to love BB-8 (from the previews) but it really surprised me at how much he tugged on my heart strings so quickly (After mere minutes I was thinking that I was going to get a BB-8 Tattoo next to my R2D2 tattoo). Poe was the same, from that very first scene you can tell he has a kind heart and cares about his droid and the Republic. Then we meet Rey and you just feel her loneliness and it endears you to her. Then when she has the opportunity to sell BB-8 for more food then she's probably seen in her lifetime but she refuses. It instantly shows you what kind of person she is. Then we have the scene with Finn rescuing Poe and their instant friendship... I can go on and on.

I felt Kylo to be a spoiled little brat who has amazing tantrums. He's obviously powerful but he doesn't have control over his emotions.. it's going to be interesting to see how he grows. Everyone knew that Kylo had to be related to either Skywalker or Solo so when it was revealed that he was Ben Solo it made sense to me. As for Rey I was pretty set by the end of the movie that she is a Skywalker, but as I thought about it more maybe she's a Kenobi (granddaughter), all I know is she is super powerful in the force and I can't wait to see how her character develops.

I was upset when Han died but honestly as soon as he started to walk out on that bridge I knew it was coming. After Han was stabbed and he reaches out and touches his sons face before falling into the core the tears started to roll but what really got me was when Leia felt Han's death and staggered down.. that's when my heart started to ache.

Needless to say I LOVED the movie and I'm super excited that I get to see it again tomorrow with my buddy John and since it's a PGA screening we will be getting a Q&A afterwards and unknown guests. And I'll be seeing the day after tomorrow as well.

This was well worth the 30 years wait.. thanks you Disney, J.J. and Lucas Films for fulfilling my childhood dreams.