Although I did think the film was fine, and the Luke-Rey-Kylo plot-line was great, I feel like TLJ’s biggest problem is a lack of consistency in tone. It really feels like Johnson tried to make three different movies and crammed them all into one. It felt like ESB, TFA and RO all crammed into one long and weird film with mixed themes and styles. TFA played it too safe, sure, but it felt like SW. It felt maybe a bit too much like SW. RO however managed to find that nice mix of OT-atmosphere mixed in with WWII and Vietnam war film concepts (both of which were OT inspirations), so it too worked fine. I can’t really tell what TLJ is trying to be. I got really excited some months back when Johnson talked about the non-SW films he’d used as inspiration, but I can’t really tell how any of those actually influenced the final film.
I’m not hyperbolic enough to call it a bad film, but I doubt I’ll be able to overlook its mistakes even upon my second viewing (though I do think I’ll like it a tad more than the first time.) So far RO is my favourite new SW film because it managed to stay committed to one tone throughout the entire movie, and it was a tone that actually fit with the franchise will still being somewhat new.
As for my more specific thoughts from the other spoiler thread:
I’m kind of conflicted about the film. For now at least. Maybe I’ll change my opinion after a second viewing (I usually do).
Many parts of the film was amazing, others just felt weird. The Luke stuff I absolutely loved, but a lot of the Finn scenes felt really weird, and so did a lot of the First Order and Resistance stuff.
The humour was a mixed bag for me. Some was great, some if it felt a bit too cartoonish.
I also feel that it overdid the CGI a lot. RO has so far been the most balanced film VFX-vise. For such a character-based film, TLJ went a bit too big with the effects.
Canto Bight was a bit disappointing. Cool idea with much potential, but it didn’t really work that well within this plot. It really should have been reserved for a RO- or SOLO-type film
Admiral Holdo was pretty interesting, but the whole thing about the cruiser being out of firing range was pretty weird. I didn’t think much about while watching the film, but on the way home my brother pointed out how much of a plot hole it really was. Why didn’t Hux just send out TIE fighters? They’re much faster and would have decimated the ship in short time.
Yoda scene was great. I loved it. It was funny and emotional. And I was so glad they did him as a puppet again. Probably my favourite scene.
Rey’s parents are nobody important. Maybe it’s petty of me to enjoy the thought that all those stupid fan theories will fall apart, but I did. It also works better in terms if Rey’s character growth. I’m very pleased with this development.
Snoke’s death came as a huge surprise. I enjoyed the scene overall, but it still bugs me. Who is he? Where did he come from? This isn’t that important, but the OT never did anything like this. Yes, there’s the EU to explain these things, but it seems kinda weird to me.
Also surprised that there were no Knights of Ren what so ever.
Leia’s force self-rescue scene. I honestly can’t tell if it was brilliant or just silly.
Luke’s force projection was, to me, a wish come true. I’ve wanted to see this in a SW film for soon long. I wonder if Rian Johnson has read Dark Empire, as a lot of TLJ reminded me of it.
Not too sure what to think about Luke becoming one with the Force. It was unexpected, but I think it worked.
Speaking of Dark Empire, I’m glad they borrowed from DE 1. Not too sure about the DE 2-style ending though. The entire Resistance was literally reduced to like 20 people.
I definitely liked it more than TFA, but until I’ve seen it again I can’t call it a “masterpiece” like so many others has online. For now RO is still my favourite new SW film.