Star Wars, The Force Awakens - Contains spoilers

Rating: 3/10 (19 April 2016)

** Update, I would like to say that I am extremely grateful that I did not spend the money on seeing this movie in a theater. I watched at home on a purchased DVD for about half the cost. And that my friends, is 3 hours of my life that I will NEVER get back. Lawrence Kasden ought to be ashamed of himself for the casting of this movie. Dude, you have done better.
Let me start by saying I am NOT a Star Wars fanatic, role player, costume wearing geek. I am 55 years old and stood in line out in front of a theater in Seattle to watch the original episode 1(IV) like millions of other people and with it being the mid to late 70's, the excitement and the technology was unmatched by anything at the time.
We all thought it was cool, revolutionary, uncharted territory. It was a space western with good vs bad I'll give you that nevertheless, it was still cool.
I agree with a lot of the contributors, that this is more of a reboot than a sequel. This is also, not a movie that could stand on its own.
You can definitely feel and see the absence of George Lucas. He belongs there. This is his property and he is the essence and spirit of Star Wars.
My opinion on the story, concept was OK but not great. Again it was a rehash of Rey doing the Luke thing from a desert planet. Don't get me wrong, I did think the action was exciting, the weapons were cool, and the new ships were great. But I think that's where my enjoyment of the movie ended.
The writers should have their pay chopped up into little pieces. The actors should have questioned the garbage they were told to speak. The casting director should be fired. The producers and directors should be embarrassed. And frankly, those statements are sugar coated.
I think the choice of actors for some roles were way off the mark.
Kylo Ren - Adam Driver had no resemblance or qualities of his parents whatsoever. The actor himself was totally unconvincing as a conflicting being moving ever further to the dark side. He was a let down.
Finn - John Boyega was also not convincing in his role either. He really did not pull off the "former" storm trooper who was confused about his place in the universe, just that he "did the right thing" and that he needed to run. He definitely needs to return to acting school.
Poe Dameron - While Oscar Isaac is adorable, he over acted every scene he was in. As if he was trying way too hard. And finding out, today, that he was the same guy in Ex-Machina?? Wow, uh, there are no words. Ever heard of Stella Adler Academy of acting and Theater? Or any other acting teachers?
Lor San Tekka - Sometime during the next 2 or 3 movies, I hope they explain who and what he was. Otherwise it was a HUGE waste of an incredible talent in Max Von Sydow.
My overall opinion on this episode is this. If the makers were looking for a comic book style, campy movie that was not to be taken too seriously, they succeeded swimmingly. If they were looking for it to have a more serious effect on the movie goers, it was an epic fail.
One really cool standout character that I hope returns for other episodes is Maz Kanata. Lupita, you rocked that role.
Daisy Ridley performed well and embodied Rey.
Some of the old characters such a Admiral Ackbar were also nice to see again. Chewy, C3PO, and BB8 were pretty good.
Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford phoned it in.
I sure the hope the next movie is better. It's been a long road following the story since 1977. Don't wreck it for those of us that have been there since the beginning.
Let's put it this way. Having been born in 1960, I grew up in a TV watching and movie going household. Saw every Disney movie ever made, and have spent thousands of dollars on others as well. So, as a longtime consumer, I feel that my opinion probably counts.