Using beer as an analogy, this show is akin to Budweiser (cheap American beer) when compared to more craft beers, as they tend to have more flavor and personality. As such, the mass market appeal of the show can't be ignored since its simple nature makes it easy to digest, especially for new members to the community.
Breaking down each component (Story, Art/Sound, Characters, etc.):
*MAY INCLUDE SPOILERS
Story:
This was the part of the show I had the biggest issue with. A good story should be the driving force for watching the show and is what should keep you watching. While the story started out promising, it started to drop the ball soon after it started rolling. I liked the initial premise of the first 5 or 6 episodes, and I didn't mind the change of pace in the second half of that arc. However, the unnessecary timeskips were more disruptive than helpful.
That being said, the second arc of the story is much, much worse than the first. It contributes little to the overall story, and only serves to hurt it. The change in each of the character roles undermines the development from the previous arc. I think the story would be much better if they removed this arc and used those episodes to further develop the first arc.
Art/Sound:
I think this is one of the few things that the show is known in a positive light for. The animation quality is absolutely beautiful and serves as a great backdrop to the series as a whole. The action scenes are also very well down, although possibly a bit over the top for some. Similar comments regarding the sound, as both the background music and the opening do a very good job of immersing you into the fantastical world in which SAO exists. It seems that A-1 studios can commit no crime when it comes to the production value of their shows.
Characters:
The main issue that I had with the main characters are their lack of memorable character development throughout the course of the show. The main leads are prime example, as their characterization is simple, predictable, and boring.
Overall:
While not entirely devoid of positive traits, this show has a lot of problems which bothered some people a lot more than others. I wasn't put off too terribly much, but enough that it prevented me from enjoying it to its full potential.
Is the show absolutely horrible? No, but I wouldn't recommend it to someone who is more discerning of the shows they watch.
