Totally mixed feelings myself. I slept on it rather than post last night to try to be more considered.
A lot I really liked and a lot that was just meh... I'm sadly drawn to be more negative about it as it was riddled with issues, BUT, it was a good watch, just not great and certainly not (even outside of the SW fandom) a great film in its own right... Just good at best.
I feel when the hype dies down, it will eventually be viewed more honestly and therefore sadly more negatively than positively, but haters gonna hate and all that...
Most of Ian C comments are spot on. It is a rehash of all that went before with little to nothing new or innovative... But after 40 years any sequel needed to do just that, it also needed (and achieved) to wash away some of he percieved stains of the prequels; a trilogy I openly like for what they are... Kids action/sci-fi films... So on that score it's a success too.
The bad:
- Lots of very poor acting from all involved; both Ridley and Boyega were playing very flat 2D characters and somehow they managed to make them flatter. I suspect this isn't helped by such a rushed (tut tut JJ) directorial introduction to them, to each other and their character arcs.
- Phasma was beyond disappointing, almost pointless.
- Kylo Ren really should not have removed his helmet, Adam Driver's performance out of the mask gave me flash backs to Hayden Christiansen... His syrupy **** attempt was very disappointing... I get aping the young Anakin as a basis for the performance, but it's just bad. With the mask on though... Wow, one of the best things in it by a mile.
- Some surprisingly poor effects on the CGI front, which I thought was unforgivable, thankfully though this was only obviously delivered in small portions.
- Too many jokes for jokes sake without the adult subtlety I'd hoped and expected from the team involved.
- the end... Wtf... Pathetically long drawn out shots a real shame.
The good:
- Real effects (in the main), this was a massive bonus and brought the whole film to a state of reality and gave it a true SW feel.
- It's back... Need I say more on that score?!?
- It not only looked like SW, it sounded like it too.
- X-wings in flight!!!
- Tie Fighters in flight!!!
- despite the tragic introduction... IT'S THE MILLENIUM FALCON!!!
- Kylo Ren... Real potential to be an awesome baddy... Just keep the helmet on please.
- Poe is great too, think I'm going to enjoy the hot shot jocks growth as a character and if handled right the relationship with Finn could be an absolute gem in future films,felt like they really clicked.
- there is more (and I truly suspect better) to come, EP7 is a clear building block for the coming trilogy
