Does not get any better.

Rating: 9/10 (18 December 2016)

Strong point is the raw, gritty look and style. This is Star Wars in the style of Christopher Nolans Batman trilogy. People die. The empire is savagely cruel. CGI blends in perfectly. The return of "Peter Cushing" as Tarkin is pure evil in its most chilling form. Popcultural borrowing works in this one. The Bladerunner-esque street life of Jedah feels real and not stolen. The K2-droid does not feel like a cheap copy of C3PO. The character is funny and believable. Back story as reprogrammed adds depth. Even his design, blatantly "inspired" by Studiio Ghiblis Laputa does not matter. Movie magic at its best.
The overlap and reference to the original trilogy is in perfect balance. Less is more seems to be the thinking here. We never see the emperor, only one light sabre use, R2D2 and C3PO appears once casualy in the background. Personally I like how the ending of the film locks in exactly to the opening of A new Hope.
Weak point is the texts explaining locations. What on earth is that for? So annoying! "Secret Rebel Base" Yes, I get it! Part of the fun of a movie is to absorb the images and guess the next step. Texts adds nothing, ruins the suspense, calls the audience stupid. My advice; for home release take them off.
Darth Vader does not match original character perfectly. Walk is too forced. Spins around his heel too quick. Should be more laid back and move slightly slower.
3D works well in the bright scenes at the end, not so well in first dark part of the film.