It had a couple elements of Empire but wasn't a direct remake like TFA. It had a similar dark tone, rebels on the run kind of thing but other than that not really that similar. So much better than TFA. Not Rogue 1 or Empire good but better than any of the prequals. Still lacks for a believable 1st Order or realistic villains.

For the record, knowing producers in the movie business who have made Hollywood movies, professional critics are very much paid off, especially to pan something, even more so if the right hands in the upper levels aren't properly greased.