Just a FYI - I love when you do these movie analysis pieces - I have a great excuse to see the movie again :) For me it was great - it was a star wars movie, it followed the same formula that the original trilogy did so well (much like the indiana jones trilogy follows its own formula). What made this stand out (for me) was that in a movie with Leia, Han, Chewie and Luke, I cared more about Rey, Finn, Poe, BB etc. This has got some GREAT character work. I especially love Kylo (Ben). This is a bad guy I can totally get behind. He is a rebelling teenager, he is a white kid trying to be gangster. He would be pathetic, were it not for his access to the Force. The tantrums, and especially the reaction of the other First Order members to those tantrums, spoke volumes about his character. (for me anyway). Yes it has bad points (the whole starkiller base bit was pointless, and Poe's ressurection was a total deus ex machina) which seemed lazy to me, but for the most part this held together, and made me feel like a 5yo again :)

There were some ADT (about-damn-time) improvements to the franchise. Like a more "colorful" cast. And a female protagonist. But seriously, folks, "they" -- aka: males -- couldn't find one qualified female screenwriter in all of Hollywood or in a galaxy far, far away to script Rey and her story line? I'm not talking about quotas; I'm talking about sensibility. Fey came across to me as written like how men think women would act on the Hero's Journey. Which, heretofore in dramatic theory, psychology and mythology has been largely defined in terms of the psychology of guys -- not gals. Fey comes across as the male psyche in drag. I hope the next episodes will have one or more women getting screenwriting credit -- preferably top billing -- to bring a woman's sensibility to Fey's character growth and journey.

In terms of visuals, it was outstanding. But it didn't fully feel like a SW movie. Why? To me it lacked the understanding of Joseph Campbell's work, which seems odd to say because TFA uses a whole lot of plot points from ANH. It didn't feel as mythic. In terms of story, one thing stood out for me even at first viewing is what I see as the abuse of the MacGuffin. The movie starts immediately mentioning the secret map to Luke that's stored on a droid. The protagonists and antagonists are both in search of this information. But before long, that plot line all but disappears in favor of the Starkiller Base objective. Luke felt like a plot bait-and-switch. I'm not sure what to make of the storyline and screenplay. A lot of the dialogue reminded me more of JJ's work, and less of Kasdan's work in Empire. I didn't think the story was up to the acting and visuals. Just admitting my bias up front. :)

Just wanted to make sure you mean Rey. I read it once and thought maybe they hired Tina Fey to punch up the dialogue... (bad joke) Rian Johnson is supposedly writing, as well as directing, the next one. Recent news was that he was asked to cut introductions of two new characters to allow for more character development for Finn and Rey. If so, I applaud that choice.

Right: Rey. Re: Rian Johnson. Another guy. And credited exclusively (so far) for the script. (Sigh) Enough said.

Thanks for your comments. I wish I had time to respond to everyone. Later, not tonight, too many things going on. I will say I liked the movie, didn't love it. Too familiar with not enough in the way of surprises and twists, especially given the similarities to previous plots and the reappearance of old friends such as Han Solo and Princess Leia. I loved Rey and honestly, it was at least as much as the actress and how she inhabited that role. Cannot imagine a more perfect choice in terms of casting. Not the most imaginative writing at work, but I get what the goal was: Reignite the franchise and don't screw it up. Abrams started out with this question: What do we want the audience to feel? My guess is the answer was something about, "Feel the old Star Wars magic," and this movie, awash in nostalgia, did that. I'd have to rank my favorites in the series: V, IV, VII, III, VI, II, I with a big gap between V and IV, and the rest of them. How about you: How would you rank the 7 SW movies?

Overall I thought TFA was a return to form for the Star Wars franchise. It felt like Star Wars on an aesthetic level, and it is the most gorgeous-looking out of all the films. Kylo Ren was the most interesting character in the film by far, and I look forward to seeing how his arc develops. But I do have two major issues with the film. As Scott said, the narrative was all too familiar to A New Hope. When creating the prequels, George Lucas said that sequences and events from the prequels and the original trilogy would "rhyme" with each other. In the case of this movie, it was closer to an exact copy of certain plot beats rather than a rhyme. (Starkiller Base = Death Star, a robot with secret information on a desert planet, a masked villain with a voice changing apparatus, etc.) The character of Rey is my biggest issue with the film, especially considering the franchise is being built around her. Daisy Ridley did a good job, but her character is the weakest in terms of feeling like a real person. Her Force sensitivity is off the charts, but it is never explained why within the movie. Hopefully they explain this in future episodes, but her character does not work within TFA itself and I never felt invested in her. My rank of the movies from best to worst. IV, V, VII, VI, III, II, I.

The character of Rey is my biggest issue with the film, especially considering the franchise is being built around her. Daisy Ridley did a good job, but her character is the weakest in terms of feeling like a real person. Her Force sensitivity is off the charts, but it is never explained why within the movie. It seemed so obvious to me that Rey is Ren's sister. He has killed THEIR father and once Uncle Luke teaches her how to really use the Force, there will be Hell to pay. But that is an obvious reaction which Luke will need to help her with, as Yoda helped him. I love this movie and JJ and Kasdan did very well setting up the possibilities for the next two installments. Funny thing though: I really missed the 20th Century Fox anthem at the beginning! It used to always set the emotional board for a Star Wars experience. Rank of Movies: V, IV, VII, VI, III, II, I.

I am 45 year old and have seen the original films in theater. Yes they were meant for young folks, but had some balls in it. After I walked out after seeing TFA the only thing that came to my mind is what will I cook for myself for dinner which is a bad thing to think of after seeing a film that continues a saga that made so much influence on my life... I really am worried about new generations if this film is a merit of a good one. If only measure is the amount of cash, so be it, I will not take part in the rest of the films. Zillion bucks or not, this one has nothing to do with SW universe and Lucas must have cramps for selling out, like he needed the cash - rubbish...

I've read quite a few comments about the 'incestuous' nature of the emerging SW universe, like everyone who has the Force is related to each other (I know that's not the case, but it can feel like that). Re no 20th Century Fox fanfare: I had the same thought. I'm sure that's why Abrams started with the crawl with NO music up front. But you have to figure VIII or at least IX will feature the Disney theme. Imagine the groans!

I hear you. I saw the originals in theaters and the reissues in theaters. After VI, I, II, and III, my expectations were rather low. That's why I understand the instinct to do a reboot which is really more of a remake with key narrative elements from IV and V, take the best stuff from the best SW movies, mix it up with a female lead and a new couple of characters (Finn and Poe), and a new Darth Vader (Kylo Ren), and hope for the best. Honestly I feel like much of positive vibes out there re VII is our deep LOVE for the franchise and desire to see it emerge again with that original magic. Does VII have that? Not so much. But it sets the foundation - hopefully - for Rian Johnson and others to explore the SW universe with some memorable new content.

Good point Scott about the desire to see it emerge with the original magic. Also I'm hoping suminator, you are wrong about our kids, and using money as the only guide to quality. If you are right, what does that say about our parenting over the last 30 years? But as for the new franchise, I'm anxious to see where Johnson, who I pegged as a "comer" back with "Brick", takes this. Will he be the new Irvin Kirschner and deliver the best of the franchise? He's got a lot of material to work with!

Yeah, I understand the reboot desire, and families are back into the cinema but it could've been a much stronger film. As for the kids today I am worried at least for my citizens in Serbia. I held a small lecture on motion graphics for design high school graduates and to my surprise not a single kid reads comic books, and only two girls read regular literature!!!! Disaster...

Hate to read that, suminator. There is something about reading... immersing oneself in a movie for two hours... giving oneself over to a STORY without texting... without multitasking. I know it sounds weird, but honestly, one of the reasons I keep hosting this blog and teach is to hook as many people as possible on the power and beauty of movies. In my view, nothing else like it. I want to see it flourish. Good luck to you in Serbia, my friend!