The more I think about it, the more I realize that the First Order are basically the Spaceballs.  They have a ridiculously large flagship, and their leadership consist of a petty, whiny manchild in a goofy black helmet who talks to inanimate objects, a long-suffering officer who has to put up with his antics, and an evil overlord that falls flat as a BBEG.  They even have a similar salute.