How much did episode 4 tell you about its universe? Part of the excitement was the questions that only got got revealed in the later ones or never touched upon. If for one knew as little about the Empire after episode 4 as I did about the new order in episode 7. Less is more and you have to think about this as a trilogy. Kylo is defeated by one with no training yes, but one with such high power in the force that she not resists him, but also reversibly affects him instead. I would argue that this character also goes deeper into daring territory as he is the first sith we see in the movies having an internal struggle. The rest has been bad. And all bad.

As for rey. How much did you know about Han solo, obi Wan or Leia's past after the first movie? Not much.. I get that you want a continuation of the old universe, but this isn't what they are doing. You are getting the same universe but in a galaxy slightly less time ago with new rules and mysteries.

You don't think reviewers are ever bought off?  GTA IV?  *cough cough*

I don't know why anybody thought it would be any good. I heard that it was so bad that some people actually walked out. This movie was so hyped it probably had a marketing budget larger than the production costs.

Yeah, but what did you think of Spectre?

Opinions I guess, here's mine:

Saw the movie in a midnight showing, basically composed of all hardcore Star Wars fans, some with cosplay and all. And the reaction was the entire movie theater applauding the movie as credits rolled. I get that most valid complaints about the movie are towards the fact it borrows heavily on the plot structure from episode IV, but that boils down to what you interpret it as: an attempt at a remake or a passing the torch film. If you see it as essentially a remake you might get overprotective of episode IV and its relevance in the future for fans and/or bash it for lack of originality. I prefer the alternative path. They tried to use the best bits from the original trilogy, to get fans satisfied and then have freedom to move the story in new directions in episodes VIII and IX.

In my eyes they succeeded, its easy to look back in nostalgia and remember what you felt when you saw the original trilogy for the first time, or felt (if you liked the prequels) to watch Star Wars get a CGI makeover (I didn't). But as a Star Wars fan that re-watched all 6 movies in the 24 hours before watching episode VII, I feel episode VII is the most successful of the bunch and that's saying a lot since the original trilogy re-release in theaters was my childhood.

Now to all complaints about how the movie leaves a lot of open plots and character arcs... Try not to mesh all the movies and overall Star Wars lore into one big insurmountable lump of expectations because nothing can ever surpass that. If you really look back at the individual movies, they all have committed the same crimes.

To those that didn't like it, am sorry you didn't because, from the general response thus far, this is the new direction the series is going in.

You are the delusional one if you think that movie reviews much like video game reviews are not bought and paid for. It may not be direct cash payments but major movie/video game producers will routinely offer all expenses paid luxury vacations in exchange for glowing reviews/previews/hype.

StarOcean said: I loved it to death XD Then again I also love the Prequels and will never understand the anti-CGI/puppet fetish that OG Trilogy lovers have I cannot wait for 8 <3

weird that you love the new one and the prequels, considering most of the people who love the new Star Wars film seem to appreciate that it has NOTHING from the prequels haha

But to assume that the reviewers were paid off because you didn't like the movie is laughable. People enjoyed this movie. Deal with it.

Sorry to disagree, but the movie was fantastic. Second best of all of them. But I knew there would be people who hated it. Just how the world works.

It was better than Quantum of Solace, but not as good as Casino Royale or Skyfall.  I didn't like the Blofeld backstory, but am glad that he lived.  3 out of 5 for a Bond movie.  Much better than this Force Awakens crap...