There's mob hysteria, then there's reality ...

Rating: 6/10 (22 December 2015)

This is my first ever review on IMDb, there are already many hundreds for this movie so I doubt it'll ever be read but anyway, I shall proceed ...
I'll start with the good, the visuals are fine and on par with the first three films. I would score them 8/10 and even low scoring reviews compliment the look of the film.
Now the bad ...
Story - 6/10 - average I suppose, not particularly interesting or engaging.
Performances - 6/10 -
The cast of the '77 movie had a certain charisma, at that time, that made them believable. Daisy Ridley does not have that charisma, not enough star quality, she is about 85%(?) convincing. She just comes across as a fairly average young actress, very slightly built - which doesn't help when she's supposed to display physicality. Boyega only has to play a foot soldier, literally, and he manages that less demanding role better. Ford is too old to reprise Solo, sorry - same goes for Fisher. Kylo, clichéd, and not visually(with mask off) intimidating.
This is not a great film beyond the visuals which is why I'm scoring it 6/10 overall.
Just goes to show when you see mob hysteria surrounding movies it's often unwarranted.