This guy attempts to analyze what the difference is between George Lucas’ vision for Star Wars and the new movies. I think he actually makes some interesting points:
I think the main problem with these new Disney movies is that there is no character development. If you look at that OT, Han starts out as a mercenary but gradually he becomes a team player and loyal friend. Leia’s personality, naturally, is battle hardened and frostier than ice, but she gradually softens and develops into a sweetheart in many ways. Luke’s knowledge and powers grow dramatically over the course of the three movies.
Rey, on the other hand, started out as infallible wonder woman and I haven’t seen her character develop or grow or change at all. After two movies, she knows the same amount of information she knew at the beginning of the first one; her powers are more or less the same as they were at the beginning of the first one. Poe is the same. At least they gave Finn an interesting backstory, but he was useless in this second movie.
These scripts just seem like they are being created by amateurs. Even the villains are morons and not intimidating at all.
Finally, there are so many cringeworthy CGI animal and gag sequences, it’s like the prequels all over again. This new movie was just a new franchise low.