So I belonged to the camp that didn’t mind TFA. I believed TFA set up very interesting high stakes for TLJ. For one, given that the Republic was eradicated by the First Order, I was hoping it would show the true terror First Order would have over the galaxy. However, I’m not really feeling its presence or threat. Because of this, I don’t feel that invested into this “war”. Where’s the race against time to desperately stop the FO
from occupying former Republic territories? I know that the FO is supposed to be much smaller than the Empire, but there’s no indication that they’re much of a threat. In ANH, Stormtroopers are occupying Tatooine. You learn that they have a terrible weapon that spreads fear across the galaxy. In ESB, they snuff out the Rebels, cause them to scatter, and they also infiltrate Bespin; all civilians flee in panic when they know the Empire is present. In ROTJ, the Empire is using Endor for resources and not giving a shit about the present population of Ewoks.
I would go as far to say that TFA showed a much fierce First Order. Hell, they killed an entire camp of people in the first 10min or so, and then later on invade Maz’s castle. Most of all, they wiped out the current seat of government for most of the galaxy.
TLJ? All that tension building up went away because they only posed a threat to the Resistance. They seriously sent their best toys all at once against another faction. First we’re stuck for almost the entire film in space in a boring slog of Snoke’s ship shooting the Resistance cruiser. Finally near the end, they bring out the other fun toys to an abandoned Rebel base. Seriously feels like I’m watching a movie where two kids are playing with their Lego sets. Here’s the bad guys cause they’re bad, and here’s the good guys cause they’re good. Now shoot!
It just leaves a sour taste in my mouth cause TFA set up this power vacuum that basically put the First Order on top once the Republic vanished. I wanted to see how far and wide their power was. The closest we got was that Casino planet but I don’t think it directly tied anything to the First Order. Just some random aristocrat planet that supplied weapons to both sides. I suppose the only interesting aspect is that it’s not simply the First Order that’s the problem, but it’s the actual war between the two sides that cause poverty. But er… We’re supposed to feel good about the Resistance given how that kid at the end looks up to the stars admiring them even though they play a role in his place in society.