First ‘Star Wars’ comments forcefully positive

J.J. Abrams' addition to the "Stars Wars" franchise, "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," doesn't open until tomorrow night. But the reviews are already dribbling in.

And for the most part they're stellar.

Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian: " 'The Force Awakens' makes you forget about the redundancy and pedantry of the prequel-trilogy that came 15 years later. It restores the comedy that 'Phantom Menace' abandoned. 'The Force Awakens' is in touch with the force of action-adventure and fun."

Todd McCarthy, The Hollywood Reporter: "As the best 'Star Wars' anything — film, TV show, video game, spinoff, what-have-you — in at least 32 years, 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' pumps new energy and life into a hallowed franchise in a way that both resurrects old pleasures and points in promising new directions."

David Edwards, Mirror Online: "For action, humour and heart, the Force is strong with this one, even if the storyline is strikingly familiar to the 1977 movie that started it all."

Some movie fans have already purchased their tickets, among them my "Movies 101" partner Nathan Weinbender. Looks for boffo box-office numbers come Monday.