STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS (Rated PG-13)

The hype for the major film of the holiday season has been colossal, but it has proven authentic.

Yes, I’m talking about “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” which is the real deal after the regret of the remarkably dull trilogy of prequels that fans had to endure to get to Episode VII.

In the capable hands of director J.J. Abrams (two “Star Trek” films), the feeling that we are back on track for the tone, style and even humor of the original “Star Wars” is unmistakable, and obviously a welcome relief to the misfires that George Lucas foisted on us with “The Phantom Menace” and the two episodes that followed.

The “Star Wars” franchise is now in the hands of the Disney Empire. Good news for all, it’s not an evil empire. Evidence abounds that the new home for this beloved franchise (okay, just the first three films) has treated this new adventure with great respect and reverence.

Right from the very opening scene of the screen crawl that informs us that Luke Skywalker has gone missing somewhere in the galaxy, the audience is propelled into a state of wonder and absolute delight within the vastly exhilarating realm of the “Star Wars” universe.

Darth Vader may no longer be around, but his progeny are in full villainous mode in the oppressive force called by the totalitarian name of First Order, commanded by Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) under the tutelage of hulking Supreme Leader Snoke (voiced by Andy Serkis).

Landing on the desolate planet of Jakku, the First Order descends on the unsuspecting inhabitants, setting loose the army of stormtroopers to exterminate everyone while searching for a piece of a digital map that may reveal the hideaway of Luke Skywalker.

It’s on Jakku that we are introduced to several new key players, all of whom prove to be valuable assets to the series. Giving C-3PO and R2-D2 a run for their money is the new adorably rotund robot BB-8, an essential figure in helping the Resistance fend off the First Order goons.

Up until the attack on Jakku, the clever BB-8 had been the constant companion of fighter pilot Poe Dameron (Oscar Isaac), the best commander in the Resistance fleet. The charismatic Poe is a prime figure in later battle scenes that have a superbly familiar yet welcome feeling.

Probably the most inviting new character is Daisy Ridley’s Rey, an outcast loner and scavenger on Jakku, who’s barely scraping by selling spare parts taken from abandoned spacecraft and other equipment. But she’s drawn into the Resistance from a most unlikely source.

During the raid on Jakku, a stormtrooper who only goes by a serial number develops a conscience and becomes appalled at having to kill innocents. Later taking the name of Finn (John Boyega), this former member of the First Order joins forces with Rey for pure survival.

More resourceful than her scavenging skills would suggest, Rey proves to be an adept female hero and a true fighter, and along with Finn’s brave new outlook, this dynamic duo eventually gets noticed by Harrison Ford’s iconic Han Solo.

By the time Han Solo makes his entrance, teamed up as usual with his co-pilot Chewbacca (Peter Mayhew), the massively hairy creature that delights with his quirky behavior, the story line is moving into full battle conflict mode between the heroic Resistance fighters and the First Order goons.

There are hardly more satisfying moments than when Han Solo joyfully brings the Millennium Falcon, derisively called a heap of junk by others, out of mothballs and gets it going once again to travel through the galaxy.

Han Solo may be the most beloved character for his nicely offbeat nature, being characteristically grumpy and irreverent, while tossing off sarcastic barbs. It’s also funny when rival bounty hunters show up to threaten his life for failure to deliver promised goods.

Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) is also in the picture, but she’s ditched her royal title and the hair buns to become General Leia, head of the Resistance. But what she really needs is a Jedi Knight, and well, Luke Skywalker is the one who can harness the power of the Force.

Without giving too much away, the quest to find Skywalker is the primary reason for an escalating fight between the Resistance and the First Order. The bad guys know Skywalker could train legions of brave souls to turn back the predatory Evil Empire.

Certain things happen in the course of “Star Wars” that no one should know when experiencing this Episode VII for the first time. Disney pleaded with critics not to reveal too much, and that request is honored here.

Suffice it to say, for “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” the title says it all. Indeed, the Force is now awake and alive, and it is something to be reckoned with. From start to finish, the whole enterprise is a glorious adventure, one that lets us forget if not forgive the George Lucas mistakes of the past.

This shiny new “Star Wars” easily ranks with the best movies of the year, and without question, it is the best one for this holiday season.

At least two more installments are in the works, and let’s hope the Force is with the creative talent putting them together.

Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.