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.

 

Recognizing the need to bridge between the old and new doesn't mean you have to tell the story the exact same way. Creative writing would give us something other than another attack on a Death Star. Your own examples show the issue, why do we need another cantina scene? Why do we need to bring the old current by simply reshooting it with modern technology? If we're going to tell the story then the story should be more original. Again, I liked the film, the story is just overly repetitive.

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