JJ Abrams is the Puff Daddy of Film (Spoilers)

Rating: 6/10 (22 December 2015)

JJ Abrams is the Puff Daddy of films. He takes a concept that's been done, adds a little flare (literally), and gives you the Abrams mash-up of something you've seen before. I went into Episode VII expecting this based on his previous work. I'm not a huge Star Wars fan, I'm barely a fan. Here's how he played it safe and why nostalgia fanatics are loving it:
1. Extremely similar premise to original material, but maybe a gender or racial swap or two. (i.e. Rae=Luke. Group of ragtag misfits/antiheroes must deliver important info to the rebellion, that's securely nestled in the cutest bleep blooping droid in the galaxy. Eminent threat from Death Star/"Mega Death Star". Massacre on dessert planet. Morally conflicted dudes with daddy issues. I could go on and on and on and on.)
2. Similar locations (i.e. Jakku=Tatooine, Takodana=Ewokless Endor, Starkiller Base=1/2 Death Star 1/2 Wampa, Millennium Falcon=?)
3. Nearly identical shots of original in new movie. (i.e. Leia on the Death Star=Rey on "Mega Death Star")
4. Show the world, the world (i.e. Every race and gender is represented on the light and dark side)
5. Typical cameos (i.e. Greg Grunberg, chubby dude from all things JJ Abrams)
6. Surprise cameos (i.e. Half the cast of "The Raid/2")
7. Quippy winks at the previous flicks ("Chewy, we're home")
I got everything I thought I'd get from Mr. Abrams, something between a reboot and a sequel. At least the action, acting, dialogue and recycled plot we're more watchable than the prequels.
It's an OK stand alone movie, but it's relying heavily upon episodes VIII and IX to fill in the gaps. If 8 and 9 can deliver and aren't nostalgia rehashings, then we might have a solid trilogy.
If you liked the movie great but please admit it was very recycled and didn't introduce enough newness to really stand on its own.
P.S. Why is technology devolving as time progresses (i.e. Luke's hand, R2's functions: flight and flames, to rolling around, to being half dead WTF?)