After this. . . .the prequels don't seem to bad, and they were rotten!

Rating: 4/10 (20 December 2015)

Oh my god, I just paid to go see episode IV in a parallel universe!
I enjoyed the roll in, it felt very retro watching the intro script roll up just as the first movie (episode IV) did. However, from that point things started falling apart for me.
1) A droid has important information that must be delivered to the good guys, granted it was a map not blueprints (Episode IV, anyone)
2) The bad guys hunt for the droid on a desert planet (IV)
3) Storm troopers raid a village, killing everyone except our heroine (rather than hero) (IV)
4) Heroine is captured by the bad guys and the good guys rush to the base to the rescue. (IV)
5) The girl and the boy have a friend zone relationship through the film and the force is strong with the girl (rather than male-Ep IV, Luke & Leia, wouldn't be surprised to learn that they are siblings in Episode IX)
6) The storm-troopers, elite soldiers of the bad guys (re-named), still can't hit a barn door. On the other hand, the good guys always hit, even when they use a weapon for the first time in their life or at a distance with a blaster.
7) Supreme Leader Snoke -- Emperor with a ridiculous name
8) The bad guys have an amazing new weapon that can destroy planets (Ep IV)
9) They use it to destroy a planet loyal to the rebels (IV)
10) The weapon has shields that can be destroyed by going down on the planet and disabling the shield generator (VI)
11) The epic villain wears a mask that distorts his voice (IV). .why? and sadly, looks better with the mask on than off.
12) The weapon can only be destroyed with an attack by X-Wings on the exact target (IV)
13) The X-Wings have to fly in a tight trench in order to reach their target, followed by 1 tie fighter (IV)
I'd expect something way better in 2015. Can Hollywood NOT come up with any new story lines anymore? They seemed locked into these "remakes" that people who weren't alive when the movie was original get sucked into. I'm seeing all these amazing reviews from people I doubt have seen episode IV more times than they're alive. Whereas those of us who have lived and breathed the trilogy for almost 4 decades are busy screaming "Thieves!" at the writers.
Harrison Ford was great in the movie and really brought some of the original feel to the movie saving us from Carrie Fisher's acting skills. . .again. The person portraying the new "Chewy", needs to go back and re-watch the old movies and improve his performance. You're in a full body costume bud, your motions are the only portrayal of your acting ability so stop making me feel like I'm watching a B- grade Sci-Fi.
I did enjoy the two new leads, and they can't be held responsible for the screen writers! The have an excellent chemistry together, and while still developing their skills provided a wonderful performance. To bad the writers killed off Harrison Ford so they lose the mentoring of such a proved and experienced actor.
If I'd have known how terribly plagiaristic this movie was going to be, I would have waited for video. . but then that's the idea isn't it. Get you in and grab your money before you know you've been bilked, half inched. Be thankful the audience doesn't throw fruit and vegetables anymore!