Well, I have finally seen THE FORCE AWAKENS. I'm sure that people may see this post who haven't seen it yet, so to avoid spoiling it for people, please post NOTHING content-related to this status. I will, however, note that while I enjoyed the nostalgia trip, I thought that was about all it had to offer filmically. Did I see the same movie everyone else has been raving about? While somewhat fun (better than a root canal as far as ways to spend two hours go), it seemed less like anything with a specific reason to exist than reigniting the fire under a cash cow. Abrams' STAR TREK relaunch, to me, while still abandoning what made STAR TREK STAR TREK, was better directed & acted and more tightly structured.
I also noted much less emotional investment in the characters and property than I had expected. Maybe it's because, unlike Marvel characters or TREK, it's been SO long since I engaged with Star Wars? Or is is just a reaction to decades of George Lucas' pig-headed shitting on OG fans with his "special" editions, embargoing the original versions, and making those truly dreadful prequels?