This week, I saw Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens twice. I was a little skeptical at first; it has been 10 years since the last movie, and nearly 40 since the first. But, I enjoyed it so much when I saw it with my boyfriend that I went again my brothers two days later. It was an action-filled, nostalgic two hours, but, it was more than that. Behind all the awesome new droids (BB-8 is my favorite) and original-movie reappearances (Carrie Fisher looks great), there was another message that I was happy to see demonstrated in the film. (If you have not seen the film, I suggest you do not read on.)

The Force Awakens took a bold and much-needed step towards powerful female leads. In the original trilogy, there were no women on the Jedi Council. In the prequel trilogy, there were only three women out of 12 total members. As an avid "Star Wars" fan from nearly birth, I was really upset that a female Jedi was never more than an extra, really. But, The Force Awakens changed that.

From nearly the beginning of the movie all the way to the end, we had one badass female lead. Rey was abandoned on Jakku at a very young age and managed to survive on her own. She is a great fighter and isn't afraid to stand up for herself. She's absolutely no damsel. And then, about halfway through, we find out that Rey is not only strong with the Force, but is destined to wield Luke Skywalker's lightsaber? How awesome! One can only hope that, after finding Luke Skywalker, she will train under him and rise up to defeat Kylo Ren and Supreme Leader Snoke. I was really afraid Disney would ruin my favorite film franchise, but they seem to only make it better.

(Even her character poster is badass.)

Photo credit: starwars.com

Not only do we finally have a developing female Jedi for a protagonist, but Leia Organa Solo (Carrie Fisher) made a reappearance, but not as a princess. Sure, Princess Leia was hot stuff back when she was a princess, but she came into Episode VII as a general to the resistance. This is significant. As Princess Leia, she was born (or, really, adopted) into power. To become a General, she had to prove she was worthy to lead a military for the Resistance. This may not seem like a huge difference to some people. But, it wasn't her title that got her the position as general; it was all she did for the Rebellion. To be appreciated based on your skill and not your title as Princess has to be awesome.

Even the female villain featured in the movie wasn't dainty and dressy. Captain Phasma, a stormtrooper captain that commands the army of the First Order, was decked out in some wicked armor. Forged from chromium, she was probably the Order's most distinctive trooper. She strongly commanded her armies, not putting up with any crap from anyone, especially Finn (until he outsmarts and captures her and throws her in a trash compactor). When the character poster first came out, there was some backlash about how her armor didn't look feminine enough. The official Star Wars Facebook page replied with, "It's armor. On a woman. It doesn't have to look feminine."

Boom.

Best Star Wars moment ever. Just because Captain Phasma is a woman doesn't mean she has to march around looking sexy for every Fanboy that wants to see a little leg. She's tough, she's in charge, and she doesn't have to look like a Barbie. Enough said.

So, overall, I was happy to see such a refreshing cast and plot line. It's going to be exciting to see what the next two movies have in store for all of the characters, but especially Rey, Finn, and Poe (and BB-8!). Disney really hit the mark with this one. Today, I am proud to be a Star Wars fan.