I'd have to agree with most of your post. I think what old school fans of Star Wars missed about Rogue was the light sabre battles. But if you look past that, Rogue One had all the great story themes of IV and some great action too. In a sense, Rogue One was the best WWII movie I've seen in a while!

But it isn't just you, and that's why I won't even write a review for "Awakens" because it doesn't look, act or feel like Star Wars cannon to me at all! There is too much amiss in "Awakens" and the only tragedy greater in my mind for Star Wars fans is of course the loss of Carrie Fisher.