Perhaps the only thing more grand than the marketing surrounding “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” is the film itself. With months of pre-release hype and a cloud of mystery hanging over the film, the movie set high expectations.

I initially cringed at the notion of having another Jar Jar Binks slapped onto another shameless Lucas money grab. Yet despite lurching doubt, director J.J. Abrams and an amazing cast delivered on almost all fronts, giving the audience both thrills and raw emotion.

“The Force Awakens” is based on the premise that the last Jedi, Luke Skywalker, has vanished, and has left behind a galaxy deadlocked in a power struggle between the Resistance and the First Order – a remnant of the former Galactic Empire bent on enforcing its dominance over all sentient lifeforms.

Our latest hero, Finn (John Boyega), develops from an evil Stormtrooper to an unexpected hero of the Resistance, giving a sympathetic face to an antagonistic force usually seen as hollow and devoid of humanity.

Perhaps the most compelling performance comes from Adam Driver, who plays the Sith apprentice Kylo Ren, leader of the First Order. Initially, we see a very wicked Sith apprentice ordering executions and torturing prisoners. But as the film goes on, we see a much more fragile and troubled  Kylo Ren; one who desperately seeks to emulate his fallen grandfather Darth Vader, and who tries desperately to live up to Vader’s legend and mystique while distancing himself from his parents Han Solo and Leia Organa.

Another new face to the Star Wars universe is Rey (Daisy Ridley), a lone scavenger with a strong tie to the Force. Rey is a dreamer, both sheltered and intensely independent. She dreams of the old days, when the Skywalkers battled across the galaxy. However, Rey leaves behind her lone-wolf past once she discovers her ability to work with the Force.

Director Abrams brings to the table a number of fresh faces who resemble those of the past, but still have individual personalities that bring humor and a much-needed new image to the Star Wars franchise. The film elegantly mixes both the old and the new Star Wars universes, while not relying too heavily on the stars of the past.

Of course, a Star Wars film is incomplete without a slew of protocol and asteroid droids to charm the audience into submission. Most notably “The Force Awakens” gives us  BB-8, the soccer-ball-shaped asteroid droid who adds comedic relief.

From expectable rescues to scenes trying far too hard to copy the original films, “The Force Awakens” at times edges towards predictable, yet manages to recover with some twist or intense battle.

As a dedicated Star Wars fan, I can say that Abrams has made a film for me, and millions of other fans like me, rather than a film made for the box office. Yes of course, the film has made millions, but the content is more than just forced plot twists and big battles.

The film gives the viewer a thrilling tale of a galaxy at war, yet it has that feeling of humanity that previous films lacked. It shows that each character is more than just black and white, and that family is something far more complicated than any of us would like. It’s relatable, enjoyable, and perhaps the best we’ve seen since “The New Hope” in 1977.

Even if you’re not already a Star Wars fan, or you don’t particularly enjoy science fiction, you will enjoy this film. It’s thrilling, refreshing, and most of all, human. If you can find a ticket, take a friend, partner, or relative, sit down, and take in one of the best-made films of 2015.

If you are interested in seeing “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”, the film is currently showing at AMC Mercado 20 (408-252-5960) , CineArts Santana Row (408-554-7010), Century Cupertino Square 16 (408-252-5960),  and AMC Saratoga 14 (408-871-2277), among others. Call the phone numbers above for up-to-date showtimes and ticket information.