So, What are the things that we DID like about the "The Force Awakens"?

So, I've seen threads about "What we DIDN'T like" in The Force Awakens, and "What we would have done differently", and "Our hopes for the next movies".

But, I'm curious to know what people did like and do think was done right in TFA.

And for the hardcore fans... don't just write "Everything". I mean specifics, whether subtle or major.

 

Ok, so for me they were...

1) Rey.
It was great to see a woman becoming the next powerful force user. Both the Jedi and the Sith have been far too much a "boys club" through the movie franchise. And I thought the actress played the part very well (the character is a bit of a hermit character with few friends, so if she was all chatty and bubbly it would have been strange). I think she is going to be an awesome Jedi (or Sith) in the next movies.

2) Finn.
I am intrigued by the Storm Trooper "breaking his programming" concept. Especially since it appears that he is the first one to really do it and manage to escape over the last 50+ years. I don't think the character was used as well as he could have been. But I think the actor did good in the role. I hope his story gets some more attention in the next movie.

3) BB-8.
Look R2D2 cannot be replaced. However, BB-8 gave it a damn good try and I do really quite like the little guy (The "thumbs up" jetlighter moment in the movie was one of the few "laugh out loud in the cinema" moments I had). I'm looking forward to more with the little guy, he has lots of potential.

3) Poe.
I really liked this character. Best pilot of the Rebellion, sarcastic and had some of the best lines in the movie. I was a little worried at one point that he was just going to be the "comic relief" but they balanced it well with some more serious moments. Good choice of actor and I'll be curious (and hopeful) to see some more development of this character.

4) The old faces
Of course seeing the old Star Wars crew was inevitably going to be enjoyable.
To get all those actors (even the ones that they technically didn't need to like Chewie) was well worth it. They did manage to give everyone a decent screentime concidering the importance of introducing the new characters (with the notable exception of Luke of course... but they will make that up in the next movie). Overall, it was great to see them reprising their roles.

4) Kylo Ren's lightsaber.
While I can't claim that I am completely sold on either the actor or the character yet (I don't love him or hate him so far)... but that weapon is pretty cool.
I expected to hear the typical "hum" of a lightsaber but then instead there was this disconcerting rumbling thunder saber sound reverberating throughout the cinema instead. Plus it does look less "elegant" and more primitive (but still awesome).
I have been told that this sound is because the crystals in the blade are not aligned properly (due to his limited training, so likely to be corrected next movie). But regardless, it was a nice surprise for me

5) The Millenium Falcon
Arguabley the coolest designed piece of junk in any known Sci-fi universe and a character unto itself, the attention to detail to bring it back exactly the way I remember was amazing.
I remembered things that I had forgotten about as they wandered from toom to room. The effort of whoever those people were to recreate the interiors to that level of detail is very much appreciated (you know who you are.. thanks to every single one of you).

6) Maz Kanata
Another good new character addition. Potentially older than Yoda himself at his death (who knows they might have played together as kids). We don't find out much about her but I'm hoping she will return somewhere in the next few movies. The alien "reggae" style bar cantina was a nice touch too.

7) Rey's Lightsaber Flashback sequence.
Wow, this was beautifully done. Literally ripped from one memory to the next. It was intense and beautiful at the same time. One of my favorite parts of the movie and completely flawless in every aspect.

8) The Millenium Falcon first "Take off" and chase sequence.
The only time I "cringed" during the movie was watching the iconic Falcon bashing into the sand as Rey was trying to work out the controls, and this chase was visually quite impressive and well designed. Loved it.

I'm sure there were other things, but I need more than one viewing to confirm.

 

That random tropper fight.

Yeah, you are right. It was good to see a trooper holding their own instead of just being bad shot fodder for the heros.

... I honestly thought that there was going to be a moment at some point where the 'standard' troopers were proving that they were actually awesome shots and highly trained professional soldiers, with Han saying "I don't remember them being this good at shooting" and someone else commenting "their not, you're just slower".
... but that moment is lost now.