We can't explain the universe, just describe it; and we don't know whether our theories are true, we just know they're not wrong. >Harald Lesch
Finally got to see it. Enjoyed it a lot. It had its roughs and edges, like pretty much all SW movies. Maybe even a few more than usual, but that was offset by a good presentation and returning to SW core values. Maybe the fact that I love ships and space battles, and they had just the right amount of that makes me see it that positive.
I can chime in with pretty much all of the criticism from Zoan's reddit post. I'm surprised though, that nobody mentioned Leia. She was the biggest disappointment in the movie for me. She's gotten so old you don't even recognize her anymore and she's lost her edge along the way. She has zero acting skills, charisma and edge left. She's supposed to be an inspirational leader, not an old granny. Personally, I'd have supported to replace her by a proper actor.
Finn was cool tho. His demeanor fit someone going through an identity crisis. Although him lying to the rebellion to be able to save Rey was a bit cheesy to me.
Btw. BB-8 showed a thumbs up.
I think it makes far more sense as a response to Finn's thumbs up.
A highlight of the movie, imo, was the initial Millenium Falcon chase when Rey instinctively used the Force to bring the gun in position without even realizing it (and supposedly generally flying like a badass). Her and Finn being so hyped about it was the icing on the cake. It's the scene that named the movie and was really well executed.
I, too, was bothered by Rakku being a Tattoine clone without an own identity (or any at all, fot that matter), but apart from that, the first third-half of the movie was a lot better than the rest, which is probably why most of us can forgive it all the ridiculousness that followed. Like with Dakku they failed with all places to generate some sense of intrigue. Pretty bland with no heart.
The worst no-go was the 3rd death star (!) shooting hyperlight lasers that can be seen on the target before they hit. Like what? Are they projectiles, flying FTL, or regular lasers?! Get your shit together damnit.
And the rebels response? 2 squadrons of X-Wings. The 1. Order's response to that? Guns and a handful TIEs. Like we built this badass planet cannon but we had to sell everything to afford it, and then we signed a disarmament agreement with the rebels so they wouldn't take it from us right away. Somehow despite this agreement they got to keep this 1 Star Destroyer though.
It just doesn't fit that a battle of few star fighters decides the fate of such a huge weapon. (Not that the starkiller base fits in the first place.)
Anyways, the Y-Wings, the workhorse of the rebellion since forever should've been included. And some heavy firepower B-Wing bombers. X-Wings and A-Wings for cover.
Another big plus of the movie was the music for me. Though this goes without saying by now, probably.