Why you're right to be psyched about the new 'Star Wars' teaser

John Boyega in 'The Force Awakens'

An endless amount has already been written about the first teaser trailer for next year's Star Wars sequel The Force Awakens -- and let me add my voice to the chorus.

Star Wars obsessives have now become black belts at spotting flaws in what was once the most beloved sci-fi series of all time.

This can get tiresome and self important, except when it comes to the prequels, where the complaints were largely right.

Save for a few moments towards the end of Revenge of the Sith, the last three Star Wars films were a worthless waste of talent, money and good will. Those films had to meet unreasonable expectations but they also could have easily been better. I've often fantasized that one day those movies would be remade by filmmakers with less self-hate than George Lucas, but in the short term all our hope must be placed in director J.J. Abrams.

The Force Awakens

I feel hopeful about that. Abrams did wonders with the Star Trek franchise, and while his two entries in that saga certainly have their detractors (mostly among purists), few could deny that he revitalized those characters and their mystique. Star Wars desperately needs a fresh take (lightsaber duels are now met with yawns instead of gasps).

And although the new trailer gives us very little plot, character or detail, it promises enough to get me to line up in 2015 for this guaranteed blockbuster.

Here are the first things that struck me. The sense of urgency. The prequels were practically glacial compared to the footage we see here, which doesn't include boring Galactic Senate maneuvers or stilted dialogue. The panic on John Boyega's face (the breakout star of the terrific sci-fi comedy Attack the Block) riveted me immediately. I also appreciated seeing a new unfamiliar face, although I can't wait to see Han and Chewie back in the Millennium Falcon again.

Speaking of which, the greatest ship in sci-fi history makes a breathtaking return in this teaser. The context is still unknown -- but who cares, to see that "hunk of junk" back in action brought goosebumps. The voiceover, which some speculate is provided by Swedish acting legend Max Von Sydow, is appropriately moody and ominous, as is the sword-like triple-bladed lightsaber.

Of course, the prequel trailers got me excited too, and each film ended up a disappointment. The difference here is that The Force Awakens, for better of worse, will be new. It's the first Star Wars film where the series' creator, Lucas, will truly be on the sidelines, and that's a good thing.

Lucas decided long ago that the Star Wars movies were his own personal play set. He decided the films should be aimed solely at children, although he wrote dialogue even kids could find laughable. He tinkered with his films endlessly to the point where they became a pristine CGI blank slate. The prequels produced no memorable, indelible moments or images -- and when they did achieve anything resembling greatness it was by reminding us of "the old Star Wars movies."

Abrams is an original filmmaker who also appreciates the tactile appeal of lived in, model-based sci-fi. There will be CGI in The Force Awakens, that's already apparent in the teaser. But he knows how to use it sparingly and make it serve the scene. This film won't look like it's all taking place in front of a green screen. The promise of a fresh take on this familiar material is enough to get me intrigued.

And the return of the original series characters: Han, Luke and Leia (although I am still angry they snubbed Lando), should be the icing on the cake.