Quote:To add to these flaws, the CGI "throwback" characters were distractingly artificial and did not look real.  Glazed and creepy not unlike The Polar Express.

 

I look at it like the Clone Wars cartoons.  Worthy, good, and part of the same series... but too much genuine-ness lacking to feel like it truly belonged in the main storyline.  It was missing... something, the core feeling of 1-7 wasn't there.  The characters weren't as engaging (combination of writing and acting,) and having a new composer didn't do it any favors.  It wasn't bad, it just wasn't the same.  It was notably different, which isn't what you want from something that's supposed to be an integral story.

 

The best thing it did was the tie-in with 4.  It was enjoyable.  But as much as it felt Star Wars, it still came off as not quite Star Wars.

 

That's why I've updated my list to reflect:

 

1. Empire
   
2. New Hope
   

(big gap here)

1. Force Awakens
   
2. Jedi
   

(gap here, only smaller)

1. Rogue One
   
2. EP2
   
3. EP3
   
4. EP1
   

EDIT** - To add a comment about the robot.  I think K-2SO was a truly understated addition and I don't believe it would have been the good film it is without it.