YAWN (spoilers)

Rating: 3/10 (31 December 2015)

There are many reasons to be disappointed with this pointless movie. But there are far fewer reasons to like it. I was most impressed with the expansive landscape shots of Jakku. And everybody loves the furball, as well as Carrie Fisher, who, it should be said, apparently overdosed on BoTox for the role. She somewhat resembled a mannequin in her own image, and then shows up on television to demand that we not discuss how she has aged (oh, the narcissism!).
It also deserves to be pointed out that as this film fairly accurately follows the plot track of the first movie, albeit with less finesse and suggestion of depth of thought. This is the most significant criticism of this mish-mash of beloved characters and contrived plot points: it will not stand the test of time. Is it fair to call it derivative, as Episode IV was essentially a western fairy-tale with Jedi warriors modeled on Samurai? Certainly.
But the pointless way this movie moves forward is simply odd: - When Ray ventures to the basement, called by...something?... - When planning the attack, "let's go!"... - Han Solo is killed, and we all know it is because Harrison Ford doesn't want to be in any more ridiculous films. - The denouement is a bearded Luke, standing silently. why? why can't he just die nobly like Obi Wan? This is such a pandering question mark leading into the next movie it is plainly ridiculous. - Why does everyone want to find Luke in the first place? - The idea of having two droids combine their maps to Skywalker is so contrived as to appear infantile. - Why use all these old characters anyway? Can't make a new movie with any substance?
So did Disney ask focus groups what characters, including the Millennium Falcon, they wanted in the new movie, and built a plot around them? Survey says...?!
Second to last comment: was there a single new science-"fictiony" idea in this movie? 50 points to anyone can identify one!
Last comment: Episode II was better.