ok, just back from seeing the movie - I will go back and read the entire thread but thought I would share my initial reaction/thoughts:
First, for my kids, my 8 year old daughter very much enjoyed it but it was too much/too intense for my 6 year old - I thought they would both be ok as they both loved The Force Awakens but just too much for my son .... obviously every kid is different but just one data point for other parents
Second, it is awesome to see a Star Wars movie in the theater opening weekend. Theater was packed, people cheers for the title and at other various points, etc. - the reason why one goes to see movies in the theater
Thirdly, I may have teared up during the credits with the "In loving memory of our Princess Carrie Fisher"
As for my take on it- overall I liked it but it took a bit for me to get into it. The beginning was a bit disjointed and at points the humor wasn't striking the right tone, and also just felt like they were making things up about the force (part of me was like "That's not how the force works!"). ..... BUT then the last half or so, basically from when Rey gets to Snoke's throne room until the end, might be my favorite hour+ of any Star Wars movie - plus it clarified / made sense of something that were "off" to me from the first part - so I think it will take at least one more viewing to really rate it
But I like a lot of the twists they did and, for the most part, the direction they are going in - I think it sets up for a potentially really interesting Episode IX.
So, wasn't perfect, but really enjoyed it - definitely better than The Force Awakens, but probably doesn't topple Empire or Rogue One for me