I really liked the movie because it is Star Wars, but it felt like someone took eps 4-6 and mashed them in to one movie swapping Ben's death with Han. Here are my thoughts.
Rey Loved her right away and loved her even more when he was trying to torture her and once she gained control she leaned in to it like a badass. I think her vision brought back memories about her life with her father (obs Luke) before he left her on Jakku. I believe this is how she was able to use her power so quickly and channel the force because she saw her father do it and train others. I also think that Ren unlocked some other deep memories about the island which she used the Force the protect him from.
Ren He was a disappointment for me. I get that he is full of angst, unstable, and was seduced by the force. What I don't get or feel any connection to is why or what has pushed him this far. Annakin had many reasons to fuel his seduction by the force and all we get is maybe some daddy issues which were implied but never even close to explained. I did really like when he was punching his wound to keep his rage flowing and that he now has a cool face scar, but who saved him from the forrest before it blew up?
Finn I really liked the character and the actor. Unfortunately there is so much missing from his story or just the storm trooper back story in general. He said they were stollen from their families at a young age so how does he know how to act so casual around all of these aliens and animals.
BB-8 Absolutely love him and now I want every toy or collectible they have on the market. He was full of personality and like someone else said, you actually understood what he was saying through his behavior
Han/Chewie/Leia It was all very nostalgic and it helped hold the movie together, but I couldn't stop focusing on Carrie Fisher's speech which was affected, by I'm assuming, false teeth. Also, Harrison Ford has moved on to be such a super star while Carrie Fisher has become a mess so seeing them act like old lovers who still held a flame was a really hard pill to swallow.
Snoke When they showed this character I actually rolled my eyes. CG. Seriously? I mean come on man. I wasn't even remotely connected to this bad guy and someone in the thread called him Space Gollum which is HILARIOUS. When we meet him next he better be something real and something to be afraid of.
Luke The map is really weird and the reason why anyone cares to find someone who has potentially been in hiding for almost 20 years makes no sense or that he would still be there. The fact that he didn't say anything or even reach for the saber sort of pissed me off. I like cliff hangers but this was just annoying.
Did anyone else also wonder why Rey didn't get dropped off at the top since she arrived on a damn ship and not on a boat?!?
Overall I left the movie feeling very empty but like everyone else, I will still get excited about the next one and watch it. I will also probably watch this about 10 more times over the next 12 months and over analyze the hell out of it. So despite what I say, well played JJ