I posted my non-spoiler review in the other thread. Overall, I liked the movie - the last act is a huge part of the movie and a bit of a redemption for bits that might've gone a little awry. But, I feel a good chunk of this is also about the the journey that Kylo Ren goes through and the redemption of Luke Skywalker.
Adam Driver won't get the credit he deserves for this movie. The guy put on a clinic and just showed us some great acting in this movie. The tension Driver created as Kylo Ben really pushed this movie and he helped me enjoy this movie that much more.
I was free of the big spoilers in this one - the killing of Snoke took me completely off guard and grinning from ear to ear.
I expected Dern's Holdo to be more of a creepy Hux type. That little storyline with Poe was took some unexpected steps that helped me with what could've been some generic hero stuff from our new flyboy. However, Poe's playing with Hux at the beginning of the movie seemed out place - in fact, the entire let the good guys talk to the bad guys while at war seemed entirely out of place and a little too Star Trek-ish. But, Holdo went out in style and it was spectacular.
There was a bit too much "modern" feeling humor for me. It felt out of place. But, this is a new generation of Star Wars films and filmmakers - I laughed even though I didn't totally accept it. These are still kids movies and this is the new norm whether I like it or not.
Yoda was also unexpected. He was a little too much like impish, pre-reveal ESB Yoda - I wouldn't have minded something a tad more serious.
Finn and Rose. Sigh - that whole plotline was just so poorly done. Taking off from the Rebel cruiser during the chase - zipping off. This whole plotline needed to be completely overhauled - sure the braintrust at LFL is capable of better than this.
Leia's Superman act. Maybe they should have done it here, it was the perfect opportunity to kill Leia here... at the very least we would've avoided the embarrassing, out of place bit we got with Leia flying through outer space.
Luke's force "ghost." Once we saw Luke on Crait, I had that feeling he was going to die. But, then it became a clearer that this wasn't Luke - the hair and beard were neater and had more color. Still, I loved it - even if it reeked too much of something from the old Star Wars EU or even fan fic. I'll be a little disappointed we never really got to see Luke school Ben, but that will be Rey's job in two years.
With Carrie's death, I think they missed a grand opportunity. Kill Leia off and keep Luke around to help rebuild. But, then I'm not sure if the title of the movie would've held true and we would have missed a wonderful performance and storyline that Carrie managed to do so well. I'm glad I didn't have to make that decision, in the end - outside of Leia in space - Rian and crew probably did the right thing.... but, man - it could've been different and and it could have been awesome.
All the crazy rumors that didn't happen - no Knights of Ren. Rey not a Kenobi or a Palpatine or a Skywalker (the first two ideas were stupid anyway). Your Snoke theory sucks... I'm glad they didn't pander to the audience by paying much heed to that kinda stuff.
For me, the bad outweighed the good. I had a love/hate thing with TFA, and TFA is much more straightforward, much tighter and more cohesive... but, TLJ has a better overall storyline without being as weighed down by paying too much homage.
Despite many missteps, I give TLJ a solid B+, there's enough great stuff that overpowers the mediocrity.
Luke Skywalker is dead. He hero for the last 40 years. Long live Luke Skywalker
