As someone who hated TFA initially my final synopsis is that it was OK

The Force awakens starts when Vader killed Kenobi at the end of ep IV.

Rey is a Skywalker, her "father" is Kenobi and she has no mother.

You read it first

 

I loved TFA, it had a great Star Wars vibe and it was cool to see old characters return but new ones like Rey and Finn rise.

Plus although i have to admit the plot was a bit like A new Hope but i didn't really mind, also i think they were just trying to place it safe before experimenting which is what Rian Johnston is doing in The last Jedi.

Plus what Star Wrs fan doesn't love this moment!

 

I still love TFA to this day.

Finally getting to Episode 7 after years of not knowing if it would ever exist or not, was a nice and memorable moment for me.

 

I share the same point of view as you Mostly. I was on hype train for TFA for a few weeks even after seeing it a few times. Then I realized how ehh it is. I bought the bluray and yet never could sit thru it all , the only star wars movie I struggled to sit thru and watch in private. Never did it but I did rewatch before TLJ with friends, and Honestly I think its ok film. I appreciate it more, as it set up TLJ nicely and I love TLJ. So TFA is respectable