http://io9.gizmodo.com/j-j-abrams-explains-why-the-force-awakens-isnt-just-a-1751925384

My opinion in the comments uses the same name I use here.

I think it's the best possible Star Wars movie that JJ Abrams was capable of making. And I think if you don't want a lot of retro-feeling callbacks, he's not the director you sign.

I'm not happy with everything about TFA, but it did two things I really liked: it grounded the new franchise in the tropes and structure that helped the franchise become an enduring cultural touchstone... and it set up a group of characters who cannot simply continue to recapitulate those tropes.

From Memory Alpha:

Despite the fact this film turned out to be successful both with critics and at the box office, some fans were disappointed with the movie, finding it too similar to Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Abrams conceded, "We got in trouble on the second Star Trek film with some of the fans: there were too many nods to The Wrath of Khan. I'll cop to that".

I liked TFA, I also liked Into Darkness. However, I think that Abrams needs to quit worrying about ensuring that people realize that he's making connections to past films and try to make something totally new. There can still be the odd wink to remind people of past events, but he seems to put enough nods in his movies to give the average person whiplash.

Forgive me if I don't go searching through comments for your opinion.

ANH was hardly original, story elements wise. It's basically a textbook example of The hero with a 1000 faces,structure wise.

So is this movie.

This movie is exactly what the franchise ended. Let's see where they take Rogue One and VIII, there's more freedom there.

J.J. Abrams Explains Why The Force Awakens Isn't Just a Carbon Copy of A New Hope

Okay well enough of JJ trying to defend his position by saying the most unbelievable thing and loosely justifying it like a politician. But the sad thing today is that anyone that climbs to a certain level of affluence cannot admit to being anything less than perfect. Since this is JJ's movie JJ has to defend it as the Best Star Wars move (even better than Empire) of all time. Even if it already pass the "better than the prequels" test which it did.

That being said yeah there are some points that every story has similarities and even if he admit he rehashed the 1st movie (which he isn't allowed to admit) it would have been understandable. Star Wars (Ep IV) was a good story, many arts and literature experts compare it to the "heroes Journey" and even in one of Lucas' interview he did say that he followed elements of that story. Also it has been said that there are truly only 6 different stories and everything else is a retelling. And to be fair the new movie is perfectly fine as a rehash of the first movie. It had to be Star Wars and not the prequel but the original ones, and what better way to ensure you capture the charm of the original movies than just remaking the original movie?

Anyways the movie is fine as a rehash and the fact that JJ feels he needs to say otherwise is a sign of lack of confidence in his own production. Again I'm more interested in the next movie since that will have to be a different story. Lets face it, Star Wars is not out of the woods yet. Might never be out of the woods but as long as we have good movies then it doesn't matter. So with that I'll just leave this here as a better explanation why remakes are not really that bad.

caution language

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxsx7VKzS0w

He makes a few new points, but it's the same argument I think most reasonable commenters have been making.

There is a similar overall plot, but the details and characters make it a whole different animal, especially going forward. The first Death Star did not smash galactic government before being destroyed.

Point 2. OMG Vorpal did not die!

Point 2. OMG Vorpal did not die!

Nope! But I was busy at work, and had family in and out of town, and frankly needed a break from having basically the same arguments over and over with basically the same people.

Point 2. OMG Vorpal did not die!

Nope! But I was busy at work, and had family in and out of town, and frankly needed a break from having basically the same arguments over and over with basically the same people.

Do you mean family or this forum?