Who stole the magic?

Rating: 7/10 (21 December 2015)

1. The plot. Copy-paste episodes IV to VI in one script, compress it in 135 minutes and believe that old recipe will work is at least underestimating (especially for fans) if not foolish. Makers had all the expanded universe material on their disposal but instead they decide to do that?! Very disappointing and sad. I just wonder whose idea was this unbelievably cheap trick, because it ruined the whole thing. Storyline of TFA is not worth the name Episode VII and is simply an epic fail which will be hard to erase in the upcoming episodes VIII and IX.
2. The characters. Old ones are simply brilliant from which clearly stood out Han Solo an Chewie. Leia wasn't so convincing but still good. New ones are more complicated and they would be surely accepted better if not presented in a cheap and instant made story. I definitely like Rey, Poe, Maz and Kylo (who is story of its own), but I'm irritated with Finn. Yes, he is charismatic and funny and lets say that he fits in the story, but why is he so important? And for gods sake, what is light saber doing in his hands? Why is he fighting Kylo?!? Is Kanye West attending next winter Olympics maybe?! I think not.
3. Filming and direction. I was afraid that modern super-fast filming with all the unnecessary close up shots will infect our baby, and sadly I was right. Compare mentioned with the old SW movies and you will see my point. For example: the scene where Rey and Finn are escaping from Jakku aboard the Falcon. Why is almost everything shoot so close and so fast? Again, compare this flight with old magnificent flights of Falcon (lets say an asteroid field run in episode V) and you will understand what potential was missed, especially according to otherwise brilliant background with vast detail. Another example: the first scene where new "Death star" and Snoke are presented. Remember when in episode VI Vader arrives on Death star, or even better - the Emperor?!? That's what I'm talking about! After all these years I still have the shivers watching those scenes. Those are the scenes characterized by the franchise and unfortunately JJ failed to recreate them.
4. Jedi/Sith and the force. I won't complain about Reys instant Jedism as many others. I think that I understand what will come next and that in the episode VIII we will find out, that she is not so untrained after all, which is excellent. Kylo is troubling me more. In the beginning he stops the shot from a blaster(!!!). Heavy stuff, worth of a master I thought...Later on, Kanye with light saber opposes him and magically, he isn't vaporised in a hart beat, even more - he hurts him! Rey also beats the hell out of him but that I can buy due to mentioned speculation about her skills and injury caused by Chewies blaster. Kylo's powers simply doesn't match. And finally the thing that hurts most. How many Bothan spies died to deliver DS plans to the rebellion?! Was the DS so easy to destroy?! 30 years later the enemy constructs even more powerful weapon and the rebellion finds the solution in 2 minutes?! Once again: In 2 minutes?! Where is the complexity, the defense, where are the blockades, fleets, troops etc?!? Where is a shrapnel of military logic? Saving Solo from Jabbas palace was more difficult than destroying this new super weapon. With all due respect - terrible.
But still, in the end its not that bad. In the comments above I was just trying to describe obvious, big and really unnecessary errors from a fans point of view. I've watched TFA twice already and I have to say that I even enjoyed it. Scenography is excellent, especially details. Seeing once again Han, Leia, Chewie, Luke, Falcon etc., brings on nostalgia so powerful that you are willing to overlook most of the flaws. Dialogs are good (withing the capabilities of bad storyline),humor is well presented and not overly pushed. But I have to say again, movie has almost no characteristic and preferred SW depth and magic.
I rate it 7 only for old times sake, frequent feelings of nostalgia and positive feedback from usual viewers.