This is what happens when the Original Trilogy, Harry Potter, and Lord of the Rings have a baby

Rating: 3/10 (21 December 2015)

The new Star Wars film finally hit the theaters. Today I found some time to catch a late evening viewing, securing a ticket in a theatre that was 66% full. After those damn commercials were done, the experience finally began.
MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD! READ AT YOUR OWN RISK :)
I will say it right away: this is an OK film. It is NOT outstanding, it is NOT awful. It is just about average as a sci-fi film. Just when I was thinking that I don't have anything new to say except what's already been said about it (e.g. feels like a remake of EP4, no originality, playing safe, too much boom and bang etc.) it hit me: This film is what happens when The Original Trilogy, Harry Potter, and Lord of the Rings have a baby. In that respect, it is a prima facie case of Hollywood really playing the typical 21st century corporate machine "we want originality and innovation -- behind the curtains, we are really cheering for safe and conservative presentation piggybacking the established nostalgia. More on that later, but first let's have a look at the characters.
Rey: The series strong female protagonist. She's a cross between Emma Watson/Hermione Granger and Keira Knightley with an all to recognizable British accent. Her character is definitely not original, and I couldn't really relate to her throughout the film. Mainly because the film is too crowded. Her lightsaber duel with Kylo Ren is not believable due in large part to the fact that she has no training --- or does she have? There was a flashback showing that she may have been part of Luke's Jedi order as a youngling, and sent to Jakku to escape destruction. Others believe that she is Luke's daughter. I don't think she is his daughter. I think she has a different background. But that remains to be seen.
Kylo Ren/Ben Solo: With mask -- he looks like an intimidating Sith Lord, crossed with Nazgul from Lord of the Rings with that cross-shaped firesaber. In fact he looks more like Darth Revan from KOTOR. His taunts, unchecked anger, and identity crisis is also befitting to a blood-raged Sith Lord. So previous comparisons with Darth Vader is wrong. Kylo Ren's character is more relatable if you know the KOTOR and Old Republic Universe and the types of Sith you encountered there ---- Without mask ---- he is the 30 year old Severus Snape. Almost an exact rip-off. The stature, the voice, the hair.... The only thing he didn't do was to swing his firesaber and say "avada kadevra" to Han Solo.....Feels like "been there, done that".....His character becomes totally unbelievable in the final fight. This is a guy who destroyed Luke's Jedi Order and lost to a kid girl and a storm trooper. Go figure.
Finn: The storm trooper deserter. Finn's character is actually alright. But because the movie is too crowded, he doesn't get much airtime. He was more alright until he was handed Anakin's lightsaber and began using it. And that's the problem. He isn't supposed to be able to use it. It violates the established Star Wars cannon, including all the lightsaber forms and techniques. This is a major issue, not a small violation. I know that a lot of Star Wars fan are angry at this. They are right to be angry.
Supreme Leader Snoke: A perfect cross between Lord Voldemort and Gollum. Lack of originality, imagination, and plethora of laziness at its best. They figured that Andy Serkis was good at being evil SmÃ©agol and Voldemort being popular villain and all, and they ended up crossing them. Snoke, however, is neither. Definitely not intimidating or unsettling. Looks cartoonish actually.
There are many logical errors that one might learn to get past. John William's score is too much of recycling of Original Trilogy score, I hardly detected any original score or leitmotif. The planet-sized, 3rd Death Star, draining sun to power itself is an unforgivable screenplay mistake. Just too unbelievable. What's next, engineering a black hole and sucking the whole universe? Even the Infinite Empire from KOTOR - an entire race of darkside users - didn't have that kind of power. Han's death is hugely downplayed and I know that this is frustrating as hell for a lot of fans. Disney shouldn't have dismissed George Lucas' ideas. But what do you expect?
In summary: Is it epic? No. Is it re-watchable? Maybe. Depends on the future films. Is it hyped? Absolutely, you bet. Is it a money grab? Without doubt. Is it comparable to the quality of prequels? Not related. Is it comparable to the quality of original trilogy? Definitely no. OT's success is entirely accidental. It developed in a different time and culture where corporate machine was less looming, and independent movie makers like Lucas were freely smoking pot and cranking up superb ideas. Good times are over. Just look at the society itself to see confirming instances at every aspect of our lives.
As big corporations continue to devour relatively independent movie companies, the quality will continue to decrease or stay just about the average. Play safe, take small risks, and maximize profit through optimal appropriation. It's called corporate sustainability. Welcome to the new world order!
Star Wars fans can continue to find consolation in the Expanded Universe and Old Republic Universe. They're a hell lot more fun to follow, and designed for mature brains. This stuff above?? It's for kids. It's Disney, and I hear an "I told you so" echoing in my head. What did you really expect??
I'm giving it 3/10 for its attempt and due to my respect to Ford, Fisher, and Hamill. IMDb rating of 8.7 is overblown and shows the initial reaction data catapulted with the hype. As time goes by, I trust the rating will go down a bit.