As Dom DeLuise's said for Melbrooks "Nice, not thrilling, but nice". But still, I liked it. A lot!

Rating: 8/10 (25 December 2015)

Pre-Scriptum: always read reviews after watching the movie. Read reviews only if you don't intend to watch the movie)
These days, I judge a movie by my sleep time. If I fall asleep, it's not that good. Like Spectre. I did not sleep in TFA. In terms of comparability, TNH to ROTJ cannot be split up and liked independently. I liked the whole middle trilogy, just like I like LOTR (even though some parts were somewhat slow).
Let me tell you what I like about Star Wars. The story line is actually OK. Rather simple. Kings and Queens, Prince and Princesses. A soap opera in a space setting. What really fascinated me were 2 things: the light sabre and Darth Vader (I became a fan of James Earl Jones since). The latter needs no review only r.e.s.p.e.c.t, but the light sabre  what a wondrous imagination! A simple extendible switchblade. In the words of OB1 – "an elegant weapon for a civilized age" indeed. Coupled with the fact that it could deflect blaster shots towards the enemy makes for an excellent shield/counter-foil as well. I simply loved it! Now there is a buzz about the crystals forming the light sabre, be it Kunda stones or Kaiburr crystals, that they are attuned to the Force and to the light sabre bearer. A sword that speaks. How more Frostmourne or Melnibonic can this get!
On to the movie. I went into the movie with no expectations. It could not have been as bad as the first trilogy. I did not like it much (though in all honesty I was simply happy that Star Wars was back). It was too clean. Not gritty enough. Too sanitized. The plot was much better and thicker. The story line was not much complicated though. Ray Park rocked. Ian McDiarmid rocked. Playing the mentally sibilant pliant maneuverer. He showed the complexity of ruling a galaxy (much like Indian parliament, I guess). Hayden Christensen was the other end of the spectrum. End of review for Hayden. But long and short, middle trilogy was far better than the first trilogy. What killed me softly and quietly like the hiss and rasp of a bad light sabre was the over use of the light sabres in the first trilogy. More does not mean good.
TFA was gritty. The visuals are a treat. The franchise having gone to Disney, kiddos were to be expected. Both on screen and as audience. Catch them young and make them pay. The story line is only just developing, so not much to be expected. The light sabre duels were raw. I agree it was like GOT fights. Hacking and slashing. No kendo, no finesse, but this can be explained away as to be polished in the subsequent episodes. If JJ (who is a genius) hacks away the coal block to a valuable stone and makes the light sabre sentient and polishes the light duels, I shall forgive him for everything. Even for making me feel like I was watching a Bollywood movie ripping off a Hollywood movie frame by excruciating frame in TFA. There are the usual shock and awe tactics, but nods and homages and hat tips should not swallow the usual gems and easter eggs. All in all, though it felt like a remake and a reboot to boot, it was a joyous experience for me to watch Star Wars on large screen again! Maybe not loved it, but I liked it and I well appreciate JJ's take. That's it for the movie review.
What I would have liked? Well, Hugo Weaving (who was considered) or Jeremy Irons (keeping the Scar voice of the Lion King) or a Morgan Freeman voice over as Kylo Rens. I want menace, if not, at least dripping evil. But alas, they are not Disney material. For mature audiences only. I cannot think of any youngsters who can hold a candle to any of the names above. I want classier light sabre duels, less gymnastics. Not more than 2 sabres, maybe max 3 in any given movie. Not like having hundreds of coloured tube lights on a South Asian wedding night. If they could make a movie on ewoks, surely they can make one on the light sabre with a deeper storyline; with Keanu Reeves starring!