A new perspective, which is needed.

Rating: 10/10 (23 December 2017)

*Spolier Warning*
Firstly, I'd like to say that having seen the movie for the second time, my initial reaction of slight dissatisfaction was hugely shifted to an incredible parallel of complete understanding and accepting of this film for what it was intended to be.
In my opinion, the film is a slight turn against 'loyal fans' in favour of producing a film which encapsulates the intention of the entire Star Wars brand, developing characters in a power struggle between good and evil. Certainly there are scenes in the film which 'throw away' what some people have spent a lot of time mulling on, both relating to this trilogy but also the deeper world of Star War, however to me, this is not a bad thing.
The main plot twist of the film makes complete sense to me, at first I was upset about the killing of Snoke, I'd spent a lot of time wondering who this mysterious character might be and what JJ intended with this character. I think a lot of people may be missing a subtle point the film tries to suggest both obviously and quietly, that is that underneath the surface, Kylo Ren's character is developing both in terms of freeing himself from his past, but also moving forward with his struggle between the dark and the light.
My second point would have to be that, if you've come for a film which is about Luke Skywalker and the other characters from the original trilogy, then you are better off rewatching those. This film is bold in its movement from the past in developing a new story. Which I think is a difficult task, which the prequels (despite having better grounds for familiar characters) clearly struggled to do. This film shows the acceptance that throwing in old characters for the reaction of fans is not always successful, and the steer away from the doing of this in the prequels has thus been successful.
Another concern I had was with the death of Luke. Until I realised, that he has served his purpose, he passes on the torch to Ray and there is now little more he can offer than advice (which makes more sense to be done as a force ghost than need to be collected on route to rebuilding the rebellion). It is the accepting of the past, and the final transition to the next film. For me it shows the first film to be looking back, this film as a transition to the future, and the final film as the future.
I particularly enjoy the recurring themes and overarching messages this trilogy is trying to convey. If you take this film for it's visual effects, it's bold step in a different direction, it's departure from expectation and it's character development, I believe you are left with a very enjoyable film, which for me has been one of the most enjoyable, if not the most enjoyable Star Wars of all of the films. I advise any unsure of watching, or dissatisfied from the first watch to give the film another try. Rian And JJ have given the Star Wars franchise the new breath of life it needed. And for that as part of a huge audience, I am grateful.