The nostalgia is strong with this one

Rating: 7/10 (16 December 2015)

I went into this movie not reading any reviews beforehand, only watching the trailers. And watching the trailers actually hurt my experience.
The trailers give away clues that causes the tension in the movie to fizzle. If you've watched the trailers, you'll be sitting in the dark, thinking: "Wait, I know what's about to happen". That is really a shame, because the movie is not heavy on tension as is. It could have used those precious moment, which were given away by trailers.
The movie gives MANY nods to the old movies, drawing on the memory of the audience and leaning on us for keeping a good show. This means less emphasis on bringing something new to the screen, which it could have needed.
The story itself is one of those nods. It's another father-son-family type of thing, which in many ways is what Star Wars is all about, but that story's been told already. It was old when the movie began.
I gotta say, I found the new young actors somewhat wooden. They sure try, and they try to be funny also, but I felt like I had to be a bigger fan to enjoy it. They wanted me to laugh like you laugh with your heroes. But they weren't my heroes. They weren't what I came to see. The bad guy was disappointing to me, and the tension around him was shallow.
As in the original saga the young crew relies on the older for substance, and while this does carry the movie along without hurting it, the movie wasn't improve by it, either.
The story, oh boy - I felt this was the weakest part. I'm not going to give it away, but the force sure takes on a new mystical side, which wasn't to my liking. I fear for the next one.
On the plus side, Harrison Ford has a big role, which is suitable. The CGI and the models are great, but it's been seen before so nothing new. It's also great to see the old actors - Fisher shining the least.
Also a big plus is the step away from the middle saga movies. This movie does however take one step towards the new Star Trek movies in terms of criticizing fascism and the way planets are designed. To me it felt like 10% Star Trek.
A slightly messed up, but beautiful movie, not taking any chances, and with a storyline to go with Star Wars as you know it. A nice, safe movie, not quite as good as the old but way better than the middle ones. Watch in a good mood and don't expect your life to change.