I definitely agree with your review. Way better than 'The Force Awakens' yet could have been better. Character depth was more thought out and much less 2-dimensional. The return of practical effects, coupled with a dab of CG looked much better than the cartoon prequels. I too was left with a palm on the forehead at certain scenes, but it wasn't quite enough to make me dislike it, quite like I disliked the last one.
Great? Well, could have been better, but at the same time wasn't near the abortion I was forced to sit through with Force Awakens. I would recommend it, as well