It shows lack of imagination because it's been done before. It's understandable that some things will appear continously in the SW universe (the blasters you mention), but it would be cool if some things don't happen repeatedly, and for example, the only person we ever see getting frozen is Han Solo, it makes it special.

But now someone being frozen is not special is a common occurence, as is the Sith using lighting, or using a flying remote for lightsaber training, etc. It would be better if some things remained unique.