Quote:The depth they put into some of the "old" characters.  There was more Han "backstory" exposed in his current story than the first six combined (we actually see the "pirate" who was a pirate in name only in his element.)

 

There was much more expansion of the family problems that merely scratched the surface in 5 and 6.  Due to better writing, the Han/Ren relationship was better developed in a single scene than the Luke/Vader relationship was across the previous two films.

 

The stuffiness created by Lucas' inability to write dialogue was turned on it's head with the humor and well written script with the collaboration of Kasdan and Abrams.  You see this in one of the very first scenes when Poe is interviewed by Ren.  Did you not realize Abrams/Kasdan used it as the Han/Greedo cantina scene?  There were so many examples of this (bringing the old current, but in a brand new way) it's hard to count them all.  Loved the quip about garbage compactors - brilliant!  It was also critical to show how Stormtroopers really are accurate shots as Obi Wan suggested but were never proven to be in the first films, and are shown to be much more brutal than those in the previous movies with the First Order.  They're also shown to be smarter than previously advertised, with not only Finn taking a stand leaving the Order, but also the two guards who knew when to make themselves scarce when Ren is having a meltdown.

 

The bridging of the old and new characters was masterfully weaved.  Finn aiding Chewie, who returned the favor - bringing acceptance and care for the new blood of the resistance.  Rey being guided by a mystic to the force as Luke was by Yoda, but given an entirely new and perhaps even more important mission - to bring Luke back from exile.  Not to face a parent or save the galaxy alone as Luke was tasked.  A matured Han Solo who now knows how to answer the call when needed by his friends most, as he teaches Finn that lesson by example.

 

Sure, if you just look at it on the surface and not actually have a deeper understanding of the film - sure, you might call it the "same."  But if you do, then you didn't absorb a single thing the new story accomplished.  Funny how everyone who loved the movie can write on and on and on about it, but those who are critical can't come up but with few simple one liners.  No, it's not the same story, and we could keep going on for days explaining why.  Same universe, new problems, new storylines.  Unlike Star Trek, a masterful and necessary reboot - yet without disrupting the continuation of the same franchise instead of simply starting it over and over again (Spiderman, Superman, etc...)  It was important that they kept the same storyline going instead of tossing it all out and starting over.  That would have been a flat out disaster, as most reboots outside the Batman franchise have been.

There was better writing overall I'll agree there.  I also love how they went about making the storm troopers a force to reckon with.  I think my main problem was the villian which i'm not sure was possible to do correctly and how easy it was for people to use the force without training.  I understand them being able to swing a lightsaber a bit.  Although in the starwars universe I have always liked the characters that were powerful despite not having powers.  ex: Lando, Han, Chewie 

 

it set the stage for what should be an interesting episode VIII

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