It sure would be nice if we could discuss Rey’s character without pulling out the tired misogynistic term “Mary Sue.”
I don’t think the term is misogynistic, since it was originally designed to apply to fanfic at a time when (according to TV Tropes) most of it was written by female authors.
If anyone wants to know the specific traits of the prototypical Mary Sue, here’s a detailed breakdown:
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/CommonMarySueTraits
Here’s my score, based on this detailed list:
Personality: 1.5/8
I give her half a point each for All-Loving Hero, Dark and Troubled Past, and Informed Flaws.
Skills: 4/6
(Singing Voice and Sex are NA) Half a point each for Inexplicable Skills, Better than the Canon Characters (which are portrayed in the film), Unrealistic Skills, and Fashion Sense (since she never really becomes disheveled like Luke). A full point for No envy and Several Languages.
Physical Appearance: 2/9
(NA for Purple Prose, Maintaining Body, and Non-Human) Half a point for Unusual Hair, Physical Activity, Never Look Ugly, and Faceclaims (though not entirely applicable).
Accessories: 2/2
(NA for Web, Music Player, and Pet) Full point each for one-of-a-kind weapon and Cool and Expensive Transport (The Falcon is legendary).
Canon Character Relationships: 2/6
(NA for Related to Caonon Character, since it is unknown at this point) Half point each for Cure All Angst That Ails Him, More Heed than Normal, Change in Reaction to Her, and Special Treatment (why does she get to captain the Falcon instead of Chewie?).
Story Elements: 2.5/12
(NA for Spotlight Stealing, Same Age as Author, Ethnicity of Author, and Heroic Sacrifice)
Half point each for Chosen One, Blithe Spirit, and Never Does Wrong. Full point for Tragic Family Life.
Names: 2/8
Full point each for Meaningful Name and Reference to Celestial Body.
Presentation: 0/2
(NA for everything except Visual Media and Honestly Speaking about Her)
Author Investment in the Character: NA
Final Score: 16/47
After this exhaustive analysis, I deem Rey to have several Mary Sue characteristics, but to be ultimately innocent of the charge.