New Zealand Premiere Review

Rating: 9/10 (16 December 2015)

Saw the film at 12:01 last night.
LOVED it, but there were some minor things I'll mention, without spoiling anything.
-Captain Phasma wasn't as badass as I'd hoped, and had limited screen time. -there was a guy with a really strong Scottish accent. I'm used to British/American accents in Star Wars. Apparently there's a Scottish planet out there too. -Leia/Han didn't work for me.
The GOOD stuff: -just enough C3PO & R2. -Daisy Ridley is SO expressive and naturalistic! -BB8 was cute/funny. -the *New Death Star* and the attack really took a back seat to the drama happening on the ground, avoiding been-there-done-that syndrome. -Poe Dameron was funny AND cool. "Who's going to talk first?" -Kylo was suitably nuts. Loved his temper tantrums! -the final lightsabre fight was excellent.
I didn't mind Maz, who seemed like a Yoda character without the force and bad grammar.
I'll note that the humour was great. There's a thumbs up gag which had everyone applauding. Finn has his funny moments, as does Poe, as does Chewbacca!
Anyway, I need to see it again to let it all sink in. For the most part, it's a great success.