Absolute power corrupts absolutely, though. The most tragic madmen are the ones who do start out doing it for the Good of Mankind (or Alienkind, or whatever). How wack would Star Wars be if Kasdan hadn't turned Lucas' original story on its head and made Vader Anakin? Absolute falls come before absolute redemption, though.
With the right touch, it would supercede Empires Strikes Back. JJ ain't the person to do something that deep, though.
It'll be what it will be, popcorn entertainment which will satisfy millions. But it won't be that something special making folks go 'damn' twenty years later.