How you can call TLJ intelligent writing is beyond me.
No explanation or reason for Rey's amazing powers despite a well established history.
Oh, the REAL code breaker you were looking for is right there in the cell with you! All with no explanation or reason for why that might be.
Oh, the first order, this remmnant and holdover fringe from the empire has vast and endless resources. Just ignore everything stated and set up in the TFA. Yeah, that's "bold. Different. Unique". It's also stupid and lazy writing. Well, the first part of the story I didn't write, set this up, but who cares? Let's do something cool.
And Finn? Finn was shaping up to be interesting character. Someone who saw the first order for what it was and chose to get out and gets wrapped up in the fight between the resistance and the first order. Now? He's party to a mutiny and a completely worthless plan.
This whole movie was lazy writing. Nothing builds on anything. You mentioned Red October. To compare this garbage to that movie is asinine.
But to each his own. If you liked it. Good for you. I have friends who enjoy monster movies, predator, etc. but to claim this was intellectually challenging or good writing is just plain ridiculous. It literally contains no good conflict. The first order is hunting them down. Why again? Bc the first order was just decimated by the resistence? But, that doesnt make real sense. Kylo? We already saw his conflict in theTFA as his internal conflict was revealed. That led to the death of Han Solo. Rey? What conflict? Despite all the buildup of her longing to belong, he want of family and connection, she's perfect and when offered a chance to join the character we just saw her force communicate with over and over with, she's like "naw, I'm awesome."
What is the climax of the movie? The battle at the end? Really? What did it resolve? What did it move forward? Sure, we got Luke's death. With no significance. With Han's death, we got to see more of Kylo ren's conflict and develop his character as someone willing to kill his own parents for his goals/desires. Luke didnt sacrifice himself for anyone. Didnt die in a manner that develops anyones story. Just dissappears after force ghosting. Yeah, we get it. Kylo hates luke. But we already knew that. It added nothing.