Very surprised at the reviews I am reading. I loved this movie.

Rating: 9/10 (17 December 2017)

I have been a Star Wars fan since the 70's. Watched the movies a ridiculous amount of times, books, video games, comics you name it. This movie (as did Rouge One) stayed in the Star Wars realm but was DIFFERENT. That is something that is lacking in movies. This movie broke tradition while honoring it, took chances, and tried to go in new directions. Is not that what makes great art? Please don't read the rest if you haven't seen it as I will discuss spoilers
Spoilers
You think Poe is going to be the hero, any traditional, cookie cutter movie would have him be just that. Instead me messed up. Him and Finn. But then redeemed themselves. I love when characters who are not major, like Laura Dern's are heroes. Very realistic. Reminds me of Tolkien (books not movies).
I was very scared that they were going to have Rey kill Luke or something like that. Instead the foresight, new powers, and hero status that they gave him I just loved.
Daisy Ridley is a treasure. I saw her in Murder on the Orient Express as well and she rocks. I thought all the acting was great. I also love that Leia finally shows some force powers. I hear people complain that we did not get enough of Snape. One of my favorite parts of Vader in the original trilogy was the mystery around him and his past. We now have that with Snape.
I will admit I really wanted to see Snape fight, but the downfall of Star Wars movies is the popularity. Every ounce of the franchise is so ingrained in our culture that it is a part of us. Impossible to watch a new Star Wars movie without expectations and specific points you know should happen. I was loosing it little as well when Yoda showed up and could actually interact like he was alive. Then I remembered, that its a flipping fantasy movie and I didn't write it. Then I just thought " well he must have been developing his powers over the year as a spirit" and I loved it and moved on.
Great acting, great direction. Outstanding visuals. Great unexpected script. Nice job all around. (Empire is still my favorite thought lol).