In a Galaxy far, far away ..... The Magic Lives On

May the Force be with you.

Saw the latest Star Wars episode nearly four decades after the first one was released (1977). Despite the passage of time, my (hopefully) maturing from a callow medical student (brimming with idealism) to a cynical and doddering quack, and the sensory overload from the internet, the magic of the epic inter-galactic fairy tale was still there. 

From the familiar words "a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away" fading away into the background (in 3-D), to the thrilling music and the spell-binding breathless action of space-planes whizzing about and ear-splitting explosions all over the galaxy, witty dialogues to weird aliens and smart-alecky robots - it was all there.

Despite his rotundity, BB 8 is rather agile

There were new characters. The only noteworthy fellow was the roly-poly BB-8. An archaic and haggard Harrison Ford (wise-cracking his way out of sticky situations), an aging and yet charming Carrie Fisher (alas! without her iconic hairstyle), hirsute and incoherent as ever Chewbacca and the elusive and now venerable Mark Hamill were more endearing then the new cast. The annuated and decrepit Millennium Falcon saved the day yet again with its acrobatic flying abilities and powerful arsenal.

Oh yes! The chronically maligned storm-troopers finally manage to shoot straight and actually hit their targets!

There was the inevitable bar with its potpourri of inebriated aliens making dubious deals or partaking of their versions of carnality.

Eagerly waiting for the next episode.