4) The Unceremonious Death Of The Well-Loved Character
If you’ve got this far, you probably aren’t in need of another spoiler alert. So let’s get down to the big shock of Episode VII: Han Solo’s death at the hands of his son, Kylo Ren.
This is a huge moment, especially as Harrison Ford plays such a surprisingly big part in the film (the biggest out of any of the returning cast members). It should be an easy winner, the most emotionally affecting moment in the movie. Regrettably, though, it barely registers.
It doesn’t help that Han’s death comes in the midst of a crucial battle for the Resistance’s survival. But the entire moment feels rushed regardless, as though Abrams and co-screenwriter Lawrence Kasdan wanted to get the scene out of the way, rather than giving Han his day in the sun.
The death of the father – not to mention the best-loved character of the franchise – at the hands of the son should feel almost operatically dramatic. Instead, it’s a giant damp squib.