I liked the Force Awakens but the complaints about it basically being a reboot of A New Hope are warranted. I loved the new characters though, and they gave Han Solo a proper sendoff. I was disappointed with the lack of Luke as well but it sounds like he plays a huge part in the next movie. As long as there are no desert orphans, mega planet lazers, or anything else like that I will be happy.
I will never defend the prequels to someone that doesn't like them, they just hit me in a good way because I am REALLY into mythology and I see what they were trying to do. I wish I could be more like my son with my bias, he just thinks it's all one big cool story.
I can't even get him him to side with DC vs Marvel. His favorites are Iron Man and Batman, I'm like, "YOU MUST CHOOSE". Kids today don't know the struggle.