Ehhh.

Rating: 5/10 (3 January 2016)

If you take this movie at face value and do not consider the previous Star Wars movies, it is very good. However, if you look at if from the standpoint of what-happens-next-in-the-Star-Wars-Universe, it is lacking.
I was hoping for something new and was sadly disappointed. JJ Abrams, whose previous movies I have thoroughly enjoyed, took the franchise back to the beginning. I didn't see anything new. The character names changed but the roles and plot was the same as the original.
In a couple of scenes, I was left scratching my head. For example, why is a sanitation worker on Starbase Killer get to wear a Stormtrooper uniform? How is it that Rey is able to do things that took Luke a couple of movies and extensive training with Yoda to learn? Yes, I understand this is a movie and a fantasy/science fiction movie to boot. But we are talking about one of the most storied franchises in Hollywood history. I think we deserved better.
Perhaps JJ Abrams is using this as a teaser for what is to come. Here's to a better Episode VIII.