Also, while it is cool to see Jedi Master Luke Skywalker in his new Jedi Order days, I still don’t know how I feel about these flashbacks. We didn’t need to see Vader ‘killing Anakin’ when Ben told the story to Luke for it to work for the viewer.
I was personally surprised how little I minded that tradition breaking. I think it’s important for its Rashomon purposes.
Furthermore, why should the First Order follow Kylo Ren? I’m not sure what he has accomplished (unless I’ve missed something in the new EU).
They’ve been very hush hush about him in the new canon (if I’m not mistaken, his brief appearance in Battlefront II might be his only out of film appearance). But I don’t see the issue. He was clearly Snoke’s right hand guy like Vader was to the Emperor, and he could pretty much kill anyone who stands in his way (as is demonstrated with Hux).
I liked the movie and will watch it over and over again, just like all other Star Wars films. I just think the progression of the story in the last two films has been actually worse than the prequel trilogy.
I think you need to watch both these films and the prequels again, and see how off base you are.