Finally got around to seeing this.
I was so traumatized by the "prequels" that I dreaded this releaset. I had been so excited by "Episode I" that I bought tickets for the first two showings. I watched the first showing and was so upset that I gave away my ticket to the second one. The next two installments were not much better.
I saw "The Force Awakens" at The Metreon in S.F. . It is one of the few 'true' iMAX + 70mm screens in the country List - look for 15/70: (
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_IMAX_venues#U )
The 3D was unnoticeable (which may be a good thing for repeated viewings in non-3D format). The sets, costumes, sound etc. were superb as you would expect.
[MILD SPOILER ALERTS - DESCRIPTIVE]
The first 20 minutes or so had me a little worried. I was using the crazy guy next to us as a barometer. He would yell at the 'funny' parts and scream 'Yeah' at the exciting parts. He yelled a lot in the beginning. I was getting discouraged.
After the first half-hour of the 2hr+ running time he quieted down. The movie got more serious, the dialogue got better and the action became less silly.
The rest of the movie reminded me of "Star Wars" original inspiration. A '40s WWII movie updated with spaceships and blasters. The cliched 'plot holes you could drive a Sandcrawler through' applies on a grand scale, along with several modern 'WTFs' that will be debated on nerd forums for the rest of eternity.
The point being, it was enjoyable and not a blemish on the Star Wars universe.
Heads up: The guy next to me yelled a lot towards the end.