A brand new Star Wars and not a sequel

Rating: 4/10 (6 January 2017)

I am sorry to say this film was a major disappointment. The excessive hype led me to expect more. Having seen the other STAR WARS and enjoyed them, I felt there is a basis for my remarks.
The story line was difficult to follow and the scenes shifted too quickly to get a firm grasp as to what was going on. This is particularly true of the battle episodes. A war movie, it is, but one could often focus for only a few seconds before another aspect of the battle came up. Less scene shifting and longer exposure was needed. To see droves of storm troopers singlehandedly being mowed down was overdone, too.
Some of the visuals were impressive and a few scenic settings attractive. I allude to the beach and sunset scenes. It was a nice touch to have Carrie Fisher appear at the end of the picture, also.