Like the New Order is a total flub in my opinion, and honestly it's the problem with the whole Star Wars universe, but it's really highlighted in this film. Why can't it just be New Republic versus New Order, why has there got to be a Rebellion... oops I mean Resistance, totally different.
I also don't think Rey (Ray, Rae?) is nearly as fertile ground a Finn for a new feel. Seriously, dirt world waif has force powers, haven't we done this twice, and this time we don't have the novelty of watching a good person go darkside.

The disillusioned Storm Trooper angle is great (Note that I have a passing knowledge of the expanded universe, so naturally it was already done there).
I mean, what was the functional difference between Jakku and Tatooine?
There were three elements in this movie:
There was the unique fresh elements. Fantastic.
There was the homages. Which are to be expected.
But there was also the pandering to the fandom which really hamstrung the whole thing I thought.
I mean seriously the villain wants to be Vadar Junior, and yes it's established, but it's also really just pander.