Good, but not great. Spoiler-free review from a Star Wars fan.

Rating: 7/10 (28 December 2015)

Let me start by saying that I'm a big fan of Star Wars. Not the type of going to conventions and wearing costumes (although the idea already crossed my mind more than once), but the type that has seen the original trilogy (IV, V and VI) more times than I'm willing to admit. Regarding the second trilogy (I, II and III) I found them acceptable movies, with some mediocre moments but also some enjoyable ones, and quite a satisfying story arc.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens (aka Star Wars VII) is a good movie, but it's not a great one (7 out of 10). It provides a solid experience but shows some noticeable weaknesses, especially in the final act.
The first two thirds of the film are excellent, perhaps the best start of all Star Wars movies, and if the third and final act showed a similar level of quality this could easily be the best Star Wars experience of all time. But, unfortunately, the final act is very predictable, unoriginal, feels rushed and is overall unsatisfying.
The cast does an excellent job and I especially liked Rey's performance, the main protagonist. The technical aspects, sound and special effects of the film are also excellent. There's humour, some of it light, but some quite good. I laugh hard for two or three times and it felt good.
The problem is that third and final act. Lots of fan service all around, which is not such a bad thing to have per se, but the way its done makes this movie feel more like a nostalgia ride than a new movie. There's some naivety shown by characters that should know better, a somewhat lightness to it all and an overall careless behavior which breaks the sense of tension and the serious tone the first trilogy had.
If you're a big Star Wars fan, like me, you'll leave the theater with mixed feelings, but with an overall sense that you had a good time, if not because of the spectacle by itself at least for the nostalgia ride. But don't expect too much intellectually or story-wise. There's nothing really new, special or epic about this movie. Perhaps that was kept for Star Wars: VIII, which I hope will be great.
7/10