40 years and loved ALL Star Wars movies but not this one

Rating: 2/10 (24 December 2017)

J.J. Abrams set up a really good potential 2nd movie in this trilogy. I loved The Force Awakens. So much excitement, suspense, lighthearted in moments, tragic moments, but still very gritty SW feel. Rian Johnson dropped the ball so badly it hurts. I did NOT go with any preconceived "fan theories", just expected another good movie. This feels almost completely disconnected from TFA storyline.
I will say I am VERY happy to hear JJ Abrams will be back for ep 9 and to him I would say "Help us JJ, you're our only hope".
For a mindless Netflix bottom feeder movie this would be really good. The visuals are great cinematography. Individual performances are fantastic by some of the actors. But the film does not hang together for me. It is a film that involves people in space but is not the Star Wars I know. The desperate ham handed forced attempt by Johnson to MAKE fans let go of the past SW experience ( in my mind to set up his own future trilogy) has the feeling of a sudden car crash vs. allowing fans to say goodbye to the past elegantly while embracing the future at the same time. Same with the excessive corny humor. SW has humor for sure, but always well placed and not overdone.
So many poorly written parts that make no sense if you have any depth of knowledge about SW.
Out of 2 hours and 30 minutes or so I can think of a few things that made me laugh and one or two moments I found intriguing or exciting. Most was just "what?"
This was a bad fan fiction story to me. I wish so much JJ Abrams had done all 3 of this trilogy to keep the continuity, themes, flavor, and respect he showed to the fans and the characters in TFA. I hope he blows the doors off ep 9 and winds up the Lucas Skywalker saga with class and satisfaction for more fans.