Opening prank call went on way too long, the attempt at *repeated* laughs destroyed the tension. There were funny moments that worked, but too many of them.
Was cool with Lukes character but not with what Rian did with him. LOVED seeing Mark Hamill bring it. Despite his reservations, he dove in 110% and nailed it. But the milking and fishing scenes were awkward.
I really enjoyed the performances from every character, and overall the movie was fun while it was happening. Only things that really took me out was Yoda, who looked drunk and a bit like Frank the Bunny from Donnie Darko in certain shots. That, and the milking/fishing things.
Snoke was a huge letdown, as was the obvious plagiarism from ROTJ showing the battle in real time (albeit through his force looking glass). Watching him throw Kylo and Rey around, and then to be effectively back-stabbed - didn't make sense. Yes, sith apprentices historically murder their masters, but not in movie canon, and other than Kylo getting slapped around, there wasn't really a build up to that end here.
**and the referring to Vader thing was silly too. Vader was redeemed, and effectively ended the sith. Don't see how that's role model material for future sith**
Rose was fine. But the Canto arc was useless, and got them nowhere.
Let down by Phasma again.
Finn's character accomplished nothing.
Didn't mind the porgs at all. Or the Caretakers.
Would have happily traded the Canto arc for more Ach-to time with training/history lessons.
(yes, Luke was always whiny. That didn't stop people with imagination running wild in the EU with some - since we now have a barometer - relatively not bad story arcs. I don't like what Rian did with his character at all).
With the OG characters all gone from the story, I feel little connection to the story. Will DJ's character come back and be a Han Solo type? Don't care. Will Rey and Kylo resolve? Don't really care - they've removed the history from the story (kill the past to move forward?). Add JJ to that, and it's really tough to find a reason to continue forward.
**edit: removed history, save for the books stashed on the falcon - still not interesting enough to return for IX.
This movie was great to watch, super fun while you're caught up in it. It really reminded me of Disney kids flicks from the 70s; Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Escape from Witch Mountain, Bed knobs and broomsticks... Yes, brought tears to my eyes - more than once. But once I was driving home, it started falling apart. If I buy the Blue Ray, I'll likely only watch scenes, not sure I'll ever sit through the entire thing again. Have tickets for tonight, but seriously considering watching Rogue 1 and Star Wars at home.