In reply to ben b:
I expect you're right and I'm probably a minority on this. I went with a film-buff mate who analyses this from a very technical-production angle and while he had issues with the film, he was by and large positive. I've certainly been harangued for my negativity.
But, as much as I would like gritty realism, I understand this is star wars. Ships will travel at light speed, there is noise in space, and liberties will be taken. But what I can't handle is the imaginative gymnastics required to connect scenes and story events. The film is like Die Hard or similar Hollywood stock. Where good continuously triumphs over evil, where even if you are a lone "good-guy" surrounded by a thousand photon-blasters aimed at your head, a hero pilot will come screaming in from above and dispatch all your enemies, you'll then commandeer a conveniently located space ship, and go and save humanity from near destruction in the remaining 15 minutes of the film.
Star Wars did that too. But watching bits of the original this evening, it still had gravitas, subtlety and was ultimately able to pull it off. Force Awakens, for me at least, had none of that. The whole film could just as easily have been transplanted in to a Tom Cruise action film, a Bruce Willis cop show, or some kind of chick-flick where happyness prevails.
Ultimately, I can't imagine any of the quotes, any of the scenes or any of the characters being looked upon in 5 or 10 years time and considered as memorable moments in cinema. The first and second, and even the third films had that. This, to me, doesn't go near that. Hence it doesn't live up to anything like its hype.
EDIT: trying to think of ways to qualify my views, the closest I can think of is a story-book or TV show, where something hugely pivotal happens (the main character dies, the Earth blows up), something that will really require some story-telling ability to explain and move on from....and then the next chapter starts with "And then I woke up and realised it was all a dream." It's a lazyness that allows you to create dramatic effect and create a story but not have to worry about reality, lasting impacts or repercussions. Because no matter what happens, the story will reach its agreed end point regardless. That's what the last 4 star wars have felt like.
Post edited at 23:44