[Warning Possible Spoilers] Force Awakens discussion (Post viewing) (Warning Spoilers)

The score and visuals are beautiful. Everything looks real, everything feels like part of a galaxy far, far away. The music is just as powerful as that of the original trilogy, though it relies on cues from the scores of the previous films. I really did enjoy watching this one. With that being said, I have many complaints. The score is not the only derivative aspect of TFA; in terms of storyline, locations, and characters, I feel like I've been on this ride before. Starting on a desert planet like A New Hope and then moving to a snowy planet like in Empire, the scene between Han and Kylo Ren echoing Luke's encounter with Vader, Snoke being the "new sith emperor", a third death star (which actually killed stars; not the smartest plan), Kylo Ren having the same moody personality as Annie in the prequels, a charming pilot, a guy who "didn't sign up for this!" (Poe + Finn = Han), and a strong female lead (Rey = Luke + Leia), and so on. Luke's scene didn't feel quite satisfying as a way to end the film. The pacing was strange, like it couldn't decide between being A New Hope and the opening scene of Revenge of the Sith.
With that being said, as it stands on its own, TFA is an amazing film. Without comparison to the previous films, it is solid, with very few flaws or horrible ideas. When compared to the prequel films, this one blows them out of the water. On its own, 9/10. As part of the series, 7/10. And, of course, for EU fans, even less as I've heard many of the other parts of the film were borrowing a lot of ideas from the old EU/legends canon.