A Review of Episode 7

Rating: 5/10 (22 December 2015)

The Force Awakens is a decent movie. Nothing more nothing less. It sticks close to the expected formula, and rarely deviates. It is enjoyable to watch and often times quite breathtaking.
With that said, it is almost the same plot as IV. Some of it, I ascribe to nostalgia, but other rehashed plot points seemed to be the product of laziness. It's strange, J.J. and co. seemed so eager to create a new saga in the star wars universe. Perhaps he felt uncomfortable with a continuation of someone else's storyline? Or perhaps it was the nation of fans pressuring him not to screw this up?
Go see the movie, you'll be missing out if you don't. You'll get your nostalgia trip, and the thrill that comes from seeing the the falcon take off, or a lightsaber ignited will be there in spades. But after the fact, you'll find yourself with a great gaping maw of a star wars hole, that at least for me, TFA couldn't fill.
While slightly disappointed, I must say that I am nitpicking by anyone else's standards, and Abrams did do a good job, as did all of the cast. It is my belief that with some constructive criticism, Abrams's replacement can do a great job on episode 8. I have high hopes for the next chapter in the new trilogy.