One reviewer thinks so.
A reviewer on a popular entertainment website gave the Star Wars: The Force Awakens film an 8.8 (out of 10) rating, during which she listed the "structural reliance on previous films" as a con.
You read that right. That reviewer thinks that "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" has too much in common with previous "Star Wars" films.
That's ironic considering most critics blasted Star Wars Episodes I through III for not relying on Episodes IV through VI...
I personally wanted The Force Awakens to stick to the tone of Episodes IV through VI as much as possible, while introducing a dozen or so interesting characters.
Question: Would Star Wars: The Force Awakens have been better if it were drastically different than Star Wars Episodes I through VI?