With popcorn at hand, my family and I awaited the moment when the masses of “Star Wars” aficionados were to be let into the theater. Following a seemingly-ever-lasting sequence of advertisements, the trademark “Star Wars” theme silenced the anticipating audience.

Directed by J.J. Abrams, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” inaugurates the third trilogy of the “Star Wars” saga. “The Force Awakens” welcomes several new characters including the protagonist Rey, an intelligent and strong women who finds herself in the company of a former Storm trooper, Finn, who changed his alliance and joined the Resistance, which is now led by General, formerly Princess, Leia.

Trying to protect a newly introduced droid called BB-8, Finn and Rey become involved with the Resistance’s mission in accompaniment with Han Solo. In the midst of their mission, Rey is taken by the first order and finds herself confronting and resisting the torture being inflicted on her by Kylo Ren, a new addition to the dark side. In their mission to destroy the First Order’s Starkiller Base, Finn, Chewbacca and Han Solo are confronted with a second challenge, rescuing Rey. During their action-filled mission, secrets about the family of Han Solo unfold as romance sparks between Finn and Rey.

Unlike the frequently used theme of a women needing to be saved by a male protagonist, this movie gives voice and portrays a strong, intelligent, courageous and athletic woman in Rey. This powerful female role is balanced by General Leia, who is given the more nurturing and sensitive womanly role.

Generally, this new addition to the “Star Wars” saga has been a great success amongst fans. Many have expressed to me their support of decisions that made this film more reminiscent of the earlier movies, though some seemed disappointed with the lack of innovation in the plot. At this point, the idea of a film centered on a blatant dark and light side seems somewhat cliché, though understandably inevitable for the makers of the film.

Both classic and new, the soundtrack, by the renowned composer John Williams, beautifully personifies each character with individual motifs and frames the story line.

Overall, it was a joy to see a film that does not just carry on a classic legacy, but manages to captivate audiences ranging from little kids, who were busily playing with light sabers in the hallways prior to the movie, to my grandparents, who were just as eager to see the progression of the popular phenomenon that is “Star Wars.”