Maybe it's because I had low expectations, but VERY GOOD

Rating: 9/10 (23 January 2016)

I was very scared about this film. My hands were actually shaking as I walked into the cinema. My heart was thumping rapidly as I wondered what Mickey Mouse might have done to the Star Wars franchise.
I have now seen this film three times! It works extremely well as a Star Wars film, and I was more than satisfied when the film finished. All the new characters were fantastic. No Jar Jar-like characters to be seen. The new aliens and planets were awesome, and they also brought back some of the old stuff without making it lose any of its charm. And of course, it's not better than a New Hope or The Empire Strikes Back, but it is certainly up there with them.
After I'd seen it, I went to see it again to test its rewatchability. Because every Star Wars film should be fun to watch again and again. And I was delighted to find that I enjoyed it more on my second viewing! It is a brilliant film.
If you haven't seen this film, stop here, as spoilers are dead ahead.
And then there was the tragic death of Han Solo. My favourite Star Wars character of all time. I could sense that something was going to happen as he stepped out on to that bridge with Kylo. And it was very sad, of course - I even cried a bit - but I also think it was done very well and in a weird way was just what the film needed.
Now, this film is brilliant and I loved it, but it has its problems. Well, one big problem really. It's practically a remake of A New Hope. Now I don't think this actually makes the film any less enjoyable - it just makes me scared for the future. What if Episode 8 is just Empire Strikes Back? And Episode 9 just Return of the Jedi? If they keep doing these subtle remakes, we'll know what happens in the next ones. Luke will be Rey's father or something... Kylo Ren will turn good and kill Snoke... So, I beg you, please don't make the next ones remakes.
Apart from that, a massive thumbs up from me! 9/10, minus one because of the remake-ness of it.