SPECULATION Looking back at The Force Awakens..

I was in the same boat as the OP a year ago. I just couldn't see myself ever truly "liking" TFA. I mean, I'd been a Star Wars fan for over 20 years and I felt like I was not included in the target audience for this film. The only parts that made me feel like the "old days" were with Han Solo being a crotchety old man, but then that "something" happened and I left the theater as furious as I've ever been. The Han Solo banter was what I loved most about the OT and what I missed most from the PT and now it's gone forever.

But eventually I came to the conclusion that it's okay if I don't like it. I don't have to like it, nobody's holding my feet to the fire but me. Me not liking it doesn't make it a bad movie. When it comes down to it, just channel the inner Solo and say something scathingly sarcastic and leave it at that. This movie could "...use a good kiss!" You have to keep your humor about you. That's the important thing. Humor binds the galaxy together.

 

I didnt intend it to be funny, but as an objective criticism against your points. The situation not being the happy version from the EU dosen't mean its a valid criticism against the movie. More like your personal opinion about the new canon.
What I said about heroes facing new challenges does not mean at all that they'll have to suceed as well. They just overcome their weaknesses (eventually, and not necessarily instanteniously) and do everything they can.
This is clearly what Han did. He went against the odds and chances, and still tried to redeem his son.
Despite the probably unfavourable social- political behaviour of the New Republic (this is jet to be cleared though) Leia still organised the Resistance and fought the fragments of the Empire (the FO).

You forgot to asnwer my question so I'll ask it again. I give you the chance of explainig your opinion: Are the accomplishments of the french soliders nullified because the country lost against Germany two decades later? Is the stereotypical "french surrender" idea true in your opinion? Because they failed to defeat the more technologically advanced enemy mean they were all "wased up losers"?

Also, we don't even know what happened to Luke, why is he in hiding and what is he doing there. So, its way too early to declare anything about Luke imo.
Tell me please, was Yoda a washed up loser? He did pretty well aginst Sidious in their first battle as far as ROTS presented it. I mean he just barely lost...
Why did he go into exile and did literally nothing for more than two decades? Was Obi-wan a washed up loser too? And please don't tell me that the "jedi were hunted", because who really cares? Its an entire galaxy with all of its opportunities to strike for well trained and experienced war veteran solitary warriors, armed with the ability of bending the rules of physics and seeing the future...

 

It was a impressive movie.

 

Watching TFA again today, I had this realization: as a kid, I was way into Star Wars, and didn't like Star Trek. As an adult, I think the Star Trek movies are superior.

How did JJ do that?

 

I loved TFA and I say that as fan who was expecting to hate it, as I thought there was no reason for the ST in 2012 when it was announced.

I loved the new characters. Surprisingly the new characters resonated with me and I look forward to their story in 8 & 9. I believe there is alot more to Rey's story that will be explored and will make us look at TFA in a different light. That is why I'm not jumping the gun with the Mary Sue analogy yet. It would be like judging Anakin in Episode 1 instead of after Episode 3.

TFA had goosebump moments for me, as that is a key to any movie I like or love. Yes the OT characters coming on screen gave me goosebumps, but it's also the ST character moments that were just as great. Rey wearing that helmet and looking up at the sky before she encounters BB8. Rey vs Ren on Starkiller Base where they are reading each other's minds is classic SW. Rey grabbing the Lightsaber out of the snow to that great John Williams score. And of course Rey meets Luke hits me every time in the gut.

Overall, TFA is just fun movie and that is what SW was to me growing up. When the movies take themselves too seriously, they come off as awkward. SW is supposed to be fun but still have that mix of drama, humor and mythology. TFA was able to hit all those notes for me!

 

I own the TFA dvd. I've only ever watched it twice since I got it last year, one time for the film and the other time just for the documentaries. Not since then have I had the urge to watch it again. Could easily live life without ever seeing it again, unlike the OT.

 

I feel similar. I've watched it several times till summer, and rewatched it before R1. I felt it was very flat and kind of boring and the ending straight out sucked. I think the lack of originality sooner or later eliminates the excitement...
On the other hand, I'd really like to rewatch Rogue One right now. I think that movie is going to have much better rewatch value.