Listen to someone who was there in 1977...

Rating: 9/10 (19 December 2015)

A majority of the bad reviews will essentially be framed within the argument that this was a verbatim reboot of the "New Hope" plot. While I will admit there are similarities, it's also worth mentioning that "The Force Awakens" ends with major portions of the plot yet to be fully realized. This is a good thing.
For example, the story behind the buildup of the First Order, the location and identity of Snoke, and their collective search for Luke couldn't possibly be addressed alongside the story of Rey, Finn, Poe, and the rest of the Resistance. It would be akin to combining all 3 Lord of the Rings stories together. The same could be said about Kylo Ren's rise to power, and how his fate is tied so closely to Rey.
Indeed, there is still plenty to be told here, and this is precisely why it hasn't yet been revealed in this film. A solid sequel must balance the plot developments across several films in order to properly segue into the next one. "The Force Awakens" successfully introduces the next generation of stories and opens the Star Wars universe to an entirely new set of characters, legends, and worlds. I left the theater completely entertained and truly engaged in what the next chapter in the series will bring. That said, here's my detailed assessment of the film:
JJ Abrams and crew found an excellent balance of digital and practical effects, mixing them with convincing performances from nearly every cast member. That said, there were a few performances that fell flat or begged for more development.
Case in point: Captain Phasma's role and character were sorely underdeveloped. The pace of the plot could have easily been thicker between her, Finn, and Poe. Sadly, the same could be said about the moments that Han Solo and Princess Leia shared on screen. Their exchanges seemed stale and lifeless at times, making for another issue with the pace of the film. These were moments that could have been far deeper and more emotional than they were.
On the flip side, the story and character development of the protagonists (including Rey, Finn, Poe, and BB-8) were engaging and entertaining. Rey is convincing as a lost soul that is caught up in the plot when she crosses paths with BB-8. There's a sense of urgency and mystery about her that drives the story early on. At a certain point in the first act, Rey's destiny and fate is inescapable. There is a strong parallel between her and the young Skywalker here – and for a good reason.
Finn and Poe are drawn into the conflict from opposite sides – Finn as a defector from the First Order, and Poe as an ace pilot from the Resistance. There's an immediate sense of camaraderie and kinship in their time on screen. While Finn stands petrified by the violence of the First Order, Poe is calm and brave under pressure, providing a surprising amount of comic relief at times. This will undoubtedly become a friendship that will grow in the sequels that follow.
The same can be said of the relationship between Rey and Finn, as they continue on their respective paths in the next chapter. Their shared "trial by fire" lays the foundation for a deeply meaningful and lasting relationship. Finn has gone from First Order defector, to Resistance hero. He will return a more mature character, seasoned by his experiences and ready to face The First Order again.
Practical and digital effects were spot-on and work seamlessly together. Many of the practical effects reminded me of those in "Fury Road," and were equally impressive – including a series of explosions in the first act where Rey and Finn are fleeing the village in Jakku.
The major action sequences are explosive, exciting, and quite shocking at times. I felt completely immersed in the experience of the characters and their struggles. Many of the battles had me literally on the edge of my seat, tense with anticipation. The chase sequences with the Millennium Falcon in the first act are a thrill ride, as are the epic battles between the TIE and X- WING Fighters in the second and third acts. In all, the space and air sequences provide a wonderful pace and balance of action throughout the film.
However, some of the best effects and action sequences were in the "awakening" of the force within Rey in the third act. Her hallucinatory visions of the Jedi, childhood as an orphan, and destiny as a Jedi herself were very dark and sinister. Moreover, I believe that the light saber battles between Rey and Kylo Ren represent the most intensely climactic and classic moments of the fight between the Dark Side and The Force to date.
Kylo Ren's rage is overwhelmingly palpable here, and yet Rey is equally as strong in her will to oppose him. She proves herself every bit his equal. There is a tremendous well of emotion and power that comes to the surface at the moment he realizes this. In this moment, Rey is fighting as a Jedi, and yet has not even begun to understand the tremendous power she is capable of wielding. For his part, Kylo Ren's actions in the third act demonstrate his willingness to embrace the Dark Side. He is a loathsome, selfish, and diabolical beast. His mask hides his mournful and brooding face– making him less than human.
In the end, the final scene between Rey and Luke was both a moment of hope, fear, and dread. Luke is a fugitive in the eyes of the First Order, and Rey sits squarely in the cross-hairs of Kylo Ren and Snoke. There are many more stories to be told here, and "The Force Awakens" stands as an excellent chapter in the Star Wars saga that is eager to tell them.