Not to rehash a really dumb argument (that I have had too many times) but most of us didn't want the same thing, in fact we were excited that this could be something different. It was the choices that were made that upset us. Johnson took VII and basically threw it out...literally nothing that happens in VIII makes sense when lined up with VII. And they marginalized most of the decent characters for a couple of storylines that just never worked. (plus they completely destroyed everything cool about Rey) John Boyega served no purpose in the film, Kylo was a joke (that stupid love drama was cringy bad), the stupid casino planet was AOTC level awful and the end with "Luke" was just maddening. The OJ chase and the "lightspeed attack" were so hilariously dumb it was almost satirical. Hell some of the things happening honestly had me believing they didn't have a complete script. My problem wasn't that they tried something, it was that it totally didn't work. Good attempt but there is a reason it is as divisive a film as it is and it isn't just that a bunch of nerds wanted another Empire Strikes Back. ;^) (of which there are some vocal ones...but they would complain if they got that too they just want to complain)
I applaud Johnson for trying, I really do. (as do most fans I know) It didn't connect though and that was the problem. He would have been better off doing his own trilogy like the original plan. In truth though the blame goes to Kathleen Kennedy and Di$ney who had no idea what they were doing. They had no plan for this trilogy (or universe) except "MAKE ALL THE MONEY!!!". They made every mistake with Star Wars Feige never let them make with Marvel.