Don't give in to the hate

Rating: 9/10 (17 December 2015)

First review on this site kinda as a response to all the negativity.
Major spoilers ahead so beware.
From beginning to end I had a great time with this movie. The action, music, sound design, camera-work and overall style of this movie was breathtaking and true to the original trilogy while being a 2015 movie.The pace was intense not much room to breath.
Since everything positive has been said let me address some of the criticism.
As stated everywhere the story does feel like a remake or re imagining of Episode IV. Same overall story everything feels familiar. The question is: Is this a good thing? I do think so yes. I'd really like them to tell original stories but this movie was so good in so many other aspects that it didn't hurt my enjoyment. The new characters are all great and its fun to go on this journey with them. I feel like this is a bridge building movie from old to new and it did it's job very well.
Kylo Ren ... probably the best villain in the entire series. Yes I just said that. He has motivation, he is cruel and conflicted. People may cry foul with Darth Vader but please. Vader is so overrated in Episode IV. Only from Empire onwards did he get something like a character. He was not Spacejesus (RLM shout out). Kylo was menacing and brutal but has his weak moments. Those moments without the mask and him addressing Snoke helped make his complete turn to the Dark Side later even more powerful.
On to Snoke. Yes I wasn't impressed either. But keep in mind that this was obviously just a setup for future movies and like Palpatine in Episode V he is kept in the shadows for later. So fine by me.
"How can Rey beat Kylo in the final duel?!?!" I liked that scene a lot. It was just awesome. First of all neither of them has completed their training. Secondly the force is threaded more like a mystery not the prequel like level 7 Sith status etc. Secondly Kylo was wounded and they made sure to show it explicitly. I think he was blasted twice and Finn hit him with the Saber once. So no miracle win here. Another thing. To control a light saber you don't have to be a Jedi or force user, duh! As established in the first act Rey can handle herself with the staff.
But I did have some problems. The third act is a blatant ripoff. Everything goes too smooth and that the resistance can only muster 20 X-Wings was disappointing. Han's death wasn't executed well but at least I think it will work out great for the future movies.
Despite all the nitpicking in the end if you cannot enjoy a movie like this on the silver screen you might wanna go see your doctor.
Overall I had a blaster and am excited for Episode VIII already.