Makes no sense.
Welcome to the Star Wars universe.
There were just too many moments in TFA when I looked at the screen and gave it the Spock eyebrow raise. I get that it’s meant to be fantasy/adventure and we’re not supposed to get wrapped up in the details, but I’m not a 6-year-old anymore. I’ve been spoiled by so many films and TV shows in recent years that combine action, drama, and great characterization with well-thought-out stories that I’m just not in a place to accept the same old Star Wars.
The reason ESB is so great is because it showed Star Wars could grow with its audience. The reason ROTJ is not as loved is that it took a step back; instead of maturing with its audience, it got dumber. TFA isn’t as dumb as ROTJ, but it never really achieves the heights of ROTJ either. (The throne room intercut with the Death Star II battle over Yavin is probably the best combination of action/story/editing in the whole trilogy in my view.)
I went in expecting Abrams to nail it and was surprised at what I saw. Perhaps he did nail it for today’s audience and it’s exactly what the franchise needed, and it’s me that’s out of step.
I’ll probably give it a rental on Vudu or iTunes for a second viewing. Maybe I’ll feel differently.