Politically correct version of A New Hope

Rating: 3/10 (18 December 2015)

I can't remember a time I've disagreed with a consensus more than this. It actually stinks of critic payoffs to me, though IMDb user reviews are strangely good as well. The movie literally has the exact same plot as episode IV, with a more politically correct cast. Replace Luke with Rey, and young Han Solo with Finn, and the story is almost exactly the same, down to tiny little details. The story is completely unoriginal, it almost seems like the goal is the replace the original with this rather than add to it.
I do need to give the movie credit where due. It is a pretty good remake, with good scripting and pacing. The CG and overall art direction is superb. The whole experience is geared for hardcore fans of the original movies with scenes that are suspiciously similar to A New Hope.
The acting is solid, but marred by a terrible performance by Rey. I detected feminist agendas throughout to the point that I wonder if disliking the movie is to label yourself as sexist. Seriously though, look for the placement of the newly casted white men in the movie. After the comments by the president of Lucasfilm about wanting a female director for the movies, I shouldn't be so surprised.
Overall, the movie is entertaining but unoriginal and with a blatant agenda that decreases the quality of the experience. Don't go expecting a movie worthy of the praise it's gotten.