Star Wars: The Force Awakens Review Roundup (Spoiler Free)

The anticipation is finally almost over. Star Wars: The Force Awakens will open in the UK on December 17 and a day later in North America on December 18.

Of course, a lucky few have already seen the eagerly anticipated first instalment in Disney's new age of Star War and delivered their verdicts. We've gathered up the scores and excerpts from each review and placed them in a handy list.

Take a look below to get a good overview of the critical reception, offering you an idea if it's worthy of the hype. And don't worry, it's spoiler free! For a wider view on the game's critical reception, head to GameSpot sister site Metacritic.

• Film: Star Wars: The Force Awakens
• Distributor: Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
• Release Date: December 17 (UK), December 18 (US)

Total Film -- 5/5

"This, undoubtedly, is the movie that fans wanted, the movie that fans deserve...Star Wars: The Force Awakens will be viewed and passed down for many years to come." -- Jamie Graham [Full review]

The Guardian -- 5/5

"The Force Awakens is ridiculous and melodramatic and sentimental of course, but exciting and brimming with energy and its own kind of generosity. What a Christmas present." -- Peter Bradshaw [Full review]

USA Today

"The Force Awakens reveals surprising connections...and sets a strong tone for what comes next in Star Wars lore. Best of all? It’ll make you feel like a kid being introduced to something truly special once again." -- Brian Truitt [Full review]

Telegraph -- 5/5

"You wouldn’t describe the choreography as snazzy, but the dramatic stakes are dizzying. Never mind the spacecraft and explosions. Two beautiful faces in tight close up, dramatically lit and blazing with emotion? That’s what cinema is for." -- Robbie Collin [Full review]

Time Out -- 5/5

We're back to a galaxy far, far away in J.J. Abrams rousing, pitch-perfect triumph—a feast of nostalgic blockbustering. -- Joshua Rothkopf [Full review]

Empire -- 4/5

"This is filmmaking on an enormous scale and it packs a planet-sized punch, launching a new generation of characters who – by the end – take a place next to Han, Leia and the rest. Star Wars is back, and this is just the beginning." -- Helen O'Hara [Review roundup]

The A.V. Club -- B Grade

"The Force Awakens never reaches the heights of escapism Lucas once did, mostly because its pleasures are echoes; by the time our posse walks into a saloon that’s just the cantina in a nicer neighborhood, the déjà vu factor begins to feel as much like a drawback as a benefit." -- A.A. Dowd [Full review]

Screen Crush -- 7/10

"Although Star Wars has always been about the past, The Force Awakens is ironically at its best when it looks the future." -- Matt Singer [Full review]

New York Post -- 2.5/5

"The next episode is bound to be more interesting than this one. Let’s just say I have a new hope." -- Kyle Smith [Full review]