MTV News said:The next installment in the "Star Wars" franchise now has a director, and most agree the choice of "Star Trek" and "Lost" helmer J.J. Abrams is a good one.
"J.J. Abrams is a huge 'Star Wars' fan and will bring respect and familiarity to the job," Eric Geller of TheForce.Net told MTV News. "There will be jokes about lens flares and such, but when it really comes down to it, I think Abrams will bring a fresh angle to the project."
Bryan Young of Big Shiny Robot agrees. "I'm incredibly happy. I think J.J. Abrams is an exciting and interesting director who will do right for the franchise. His work in the genre is unparalleled for a filmmaker of his generation, and his love of 'Star Wars' runs deep."
Young cited Abrams' previous films as evidence of his suitability for the "Episode VII" director's chair. "I think all you need to do is look to his work both on 'Super 8' and 'Star Trek' to see why he'd be a good fit," he said.
Young believes Abrams possesses the sense of humor and adventure that "Star Wars" requires, as well as the ability to handle epic drama. "Remember how hard we all cried in the opening scenes of 'Star Trek' with the death of Kirk's father? Apply that level of emotion and turmoil to 'Star Wars' and I think we've got something to look forward to," he said. "A 'Star Wars' film in his hands seems like a match made in heaven."
Both Geller and Young anticipate the director's new take on familiar characters and settings. "I just hope that Abrams can balance his desire to produce a film that he, as a fan, would like to watch with his desire to work collaboratively with the writer, the producers and, of course, George Lucas," Geller said.
What do you think?