I can tell you that a lot of the online talk I've read leading up to this is that people who liked TLJ are geared up to hate what this movie does.
Problem is that a lot of the TLJ fans are extremists. I liked it a lot but it has some major issues while the TLJ fans argue that it is the best Star Wars movie which is just laughable.
Meanwhile a lot of the extreme TLJ haters are celebrating that "they won" and seem to be reveling in TLJ fans being disappointed which is just pathetic.
People who seemed to like both TFA and TLJ as "enjoyable movies and that's all they needed to be" seem to be pissed at how ROS feels very reactionary instead of simply doing its own thing.
Star Wars fans are the absolute worst.
Yes.
What baffles me the most is how much energy is spent discussing a "paint-by-the-numbers" sci fi epic.
I mean, I get the cultural importance. I understand what it means to people. Think about it though... what is Star Wars? Basic fantasy tropes in space with genius merchandising/marketing... and the first one came at the right time.
Story-wise, it was never ground breaking. NEVER! It re-uses, wisely, tropes, that have been established by Greek tragedy. TLJ does it as well and I am sure this one will too.
I often wonder what people expect. Masterpieces? They never were. Star Wars always has been mediocre. Even Empire Strikes Back is very paint-by-the-numbers... EVEN the twist at the end is. It is well-directed and very enjoyable, but it is not a masterpiece.
I love Star Wars and always will, but see it as what it is. I am not trying to deconstruct it and analyze it too much. I either enjoy or not. I do not try to push it further.
I respect people that do, it is their prerogative, but I just do not understand.