Killoffpoe has a point, but it’s more against TFA than TLJ. TLJ was the best movie possible from the setup TFA gave us. I also didn’t like how we simply went back to the point where we were at the beginning of Star Wars without any real explanation.
I think Episode VII should’ve been the story told in the flashbacks + the New Republic being set up + the First Order rising silently
TFA should’ve been Episode VIII
TLJ Episode IXBecause, as a lot of people said, it really works just fine as a finale.
I don’t completely agree. TFA showed the central system of the New Republic destroyed, but it also showed the destruction of SKB. Both factions suffered serious loss. That could have been used to create an interesting new dynamic, where the New Republic supported by the Resistance fights the FO. It could have been revealed the New Republic was also working on a super weapon, raising all sorts of moral questions, and bring tension among the good guys, hard liners versus diplomats, or whatever, something different.
However, that didn’t happen. RJ wiped the New Republic off the screen. The FO is taking over in weeks, seemingly unaffected by the destruction of their home base. The Resistance is now the rebellion again, and we’re back at square one. Empire versus rebels. It’s the same dynamic with an even smaller band of rebels struggling against an overwhelming force. We have another last Jedi struggling against a Jedi pupil turned bad. There are diferences and shocking twists, but the main themes are still very similar. I suppose if JJ brings back the Knights of Ren, it would change the dynamic of the fight with Rey having to square off against more than the guy she already beat. That might make things more interesting for me again…