4) The Standout Performances
The prequels have an impressive cast of their own, but ultimately a good deal of the actors (even the Oscar-nominated Liam Neeson and Oscar-winning Natalie Portman) end up coming across as severely wooden.
In The Force Awakens, the mighty roster of acting talent is utilized perfectly, with Oscar Isaac (cocky, charismatic), John Boyega (nervy, comical) and Domhnall Gleeson (sneering, cold) bringing their best selves along to this pulpy universe.
Adam Driver, meanwhile, has been rightly singled out for turning what could have been a stock villain into a conflicted, volatile brat. It’s not just the newcomers, either – the old-timers are great here, too, with Harrison Ford bringing tragic baggage to Han Solo but still his wise-cracking, roguish self, if just a little more world-weary and sad.