Only Empire and Hope are better to me.

Rating: 9/10 (2 January 2016)

If you want a Star Wars film that cares more about the characters than it does about special effects and flashy light saber fights, this is the film for you. Although Finn, Rey and BB-8 were fantastic, it was Kylo Ren that stole the show in my opinion. How do you fill the void that Darth Vader left behind after Return of the Jedi? By introducing a villain that is as interesting and as deep as Kylo Ren is. Everything about Kylo Ren works for me and that is so refreshing after the prequels failed to have any decent villains.
The story was definitely similar to A New Hope but there were more than enough differences to make it new and there was definitely enough there to make it fun. It has a perfect balance of nostalgia and originality. Nostalgia in the prequels revolved around showing you familiar characters like C3PO, R2-D2, Chewbacca, and Boba Fett (which they forced on us by shoving them in weird places and giving us origins that didn't make any sense) but the nostalgia in Episode VII revolves around themes, tone and the use of practical effects.
If I had to rank the Star Wars movies, I'd put the Force Awakens number 3 behind The Empire Strikes Back and A New Hope with Return of the Jedi right behind. Then 3, 1, and 2.
It was a great movie, highly enjoyable and gets even better with every viewing. They can go in so many directions for the new trilogy. Solid 8/10 and can't wait for Episodes VIII and IX.
May the Force be with you!