Thing of it is, opening on Canto might not even require rearranging the Resistance plot if nothing before that is essential information.
The only information that is required is to know that the FO is lightspeed tracking and that the Resistance needs a codebreaker in order to justify the mission on Canto Bight.
The Rise of Failures
I really think getting rid of the ship plot line would lessen the movie. Maybe Snooker could do some VFX work for that scene, ie a field of ship eating black holes. I think Canto Bight could be made more relevant if we made a backstory for Finn. If he remembered his life before the 1st order, freeing the space horses might be more symbolic.
I just realized that the (non-) reveal of Rey’s parents begs for more edits to TFA. The one that sticks out to me is Rey and BB-8’s exchange:
“Classified? Me too, big secret.”
Yeah, that line is insulting now. I’m sure other “hints” need to be cut back now too, I’d have to rewatch TFA again though.
What if the beginning of this movie was excised entirely?
Begin the film with an opening crawl informing us that the First Order has found the Resistance and chased them across the galaxy, Ren has completed his training with Snoke, and Snoke wants Leia alive in order to find the Last Jedi. Then go to the scene of Rey on the island and imply through those scenes that it is some time before we meet the rest of our heroes again.
You could cut out the Resistance escape and Poe’s hothead moves, Rose’s sister’s sacrifice, Snoke’s first scene with Ren, Finn waking up, Rose meeting Finn, all that. The first scene of the Resistance could be on Canto Bight. It would be assumed that Finn is on some secret mission with another member of the Resistance, and I think they even explain their mission while there (which was unnecessary in the film originally, but would make more sense here). We can assume that Finn and Rose have had a longer-term relationship than what we’ve seen, which might help with the awkward kiss at the end. And we already know that Poe is a hothead, so his first scene is somewhat superfluous anyway.
Is there anything that we simply can’t lose from the beginning of the Resistance plot? I have still only seen this once, so my memory is fuzzy.
I mean, if I had my way the whole movie would have been about Rey, Kylo, and Luke.
They should have just made Rose both the hacker and the engineer. She gets Finn on board the Supremacy and instead of sneaking around the casino they sneak around the ship. The ship was cool, why not spend more time there? No need for a BDT character, and leave BB-8 out of the whole thing.
Canto Bight, Maz Kanata, the excessive BB-8 (in both TFA and TLJ, in the OT nobody actually cared all that much about droids)…they’re all so…Disney. If Disney wanted these films to be regarded as appealing solely for their quality and not just for their ability to tick all of the Disney max-market boxes they could have been truly special. It’s starting to kill me that they’ve gone in the direction they’ve gone in, because, imo, Rey and Kylo as interesting and great of characters as any in the OT.
I just realized that the (non-) reveal of Rey’s parents begs for more edits to TFA. The one that sticks out to me is Rey and BB-8’s exchange:
“Classified? Me too, big secret.”
Yeah, that line is insulting now. I’m sure other “hints” need to be cut back now too, I’d have to rewatch TFA again though.
I completely agree with you. You could argue that she was being sarcastic, though. But it might come off as more confusing now than sarcastic for some.
Is it feasable to do so while keeping the child of the Force of the ending ?
[Regarding removing the Fathier chase from the Canto Bight plotline].
I’ve thought about this as well. If you notice, the kids at the end are telling a story about Luke rather than the Resistance, so if kept the earlier scene where Finn sees the kids on the field, and cut the close up of the kid wearing the ring at the end, I think the scene would still work. It might make Rose & Finn’s plot feel more useless, though, now that they didn’t even spark some hope within the kids.
I don’t think completely removing the Canto Bight stuff is the right answer. Removing the Fathier chase and trimming it here and there is the most I think could be done without it feeling confusing, but I think I would need to see the concept tested to see if that would even be worth it.
I just realized that the (non-) reveal of Rey’s parents begs for more edits to TFA. The one that sticks out to me is Rey and BB-8’s exchange:
“Classified? Me too, big secret.”
Yeah, that line is insulting now. I’m sure other “hints” need to be cut back now too, I’d have to rewatch TFA again though.
Really? I always thought she was being sarcastic as she comes from nowhere and she is a no one and it’s pretty obvious that BB-8 would notice it.
Really? I always thought she was being sarcastic as she comes from nowhere and she is a no one and it’s pretty obvious that BB-8 would notice it.
Yeah. The one thing I would not do with any of these films is cut anything done/said by Daisy Ridley, except for her brief exchange with Maz after the saber-vision in TFA. But that’s just me.
I just realized that the (non-) reveal of Rey’s parents begs for more edits to TFA. The one that sticks out to me is Rey and BB-8’s exchange:
“Classified? Me too, big secret.”
Yeah, that line is insulting now. I’m sure other “hints” need to be cut back now too, I’d have to rewatch TFA again though.
I think maybe cut when Han is about to tell Maz who’s the girl and the movie abruptly cuts “not to reveal the mystery”.
I just realized that the (non-) reveal of Rey’s parents begs for more edits to TFA. The one that sticks out to me is Rey and BB-8’s exchange:
“Classified? Me too, big secret.”
Yeah, that line is insulting now. I’m sure other “hints” need to be cut back now too, I’d have to rewatch TFA again though.
Really? I always thought she was being sarcastic as she comes from nowhere and she is a no one and it’s pretty obvious that BB-8 would notice it.
Yeah, exactly. If anything it works better in hindsight.
I just realized that the (non-) reveal of Rey’s parents begs for more edits to TFA. The one that sticks out to me is Rey and BB-8’s exchange:
“Classified? Me too, big secret.”
Yeah, that line is insulting now. I’m sure other “hints” need to be cut back now too, I’d have to rewatch TFA again though.
I think maybe cut when Han is about to tell Maz who’s the girl and the movie abruptly cuts “not to reveal the mystery”.
This might be a good idea. It probably was the most obvious nod to her being someone special in the Force Awakens.
Reading the recent articles about Rian Johnson originally considering Billy Dee Williams for DJ’s role, I had an epiphany: swap out the Master Codebreaker for a Lando Calrissian cameo. I know that would be a tall order for a fan edit, but literally nothing else would have to change:
Just spit-balling, but I thought I’d share. 😃
I just realized that the (non-) reveal of Rey’s parents begs for more edits to TFA. The one that sticks out to me is Rey and BB-8’s exchange:
“Classified? Me too, big secret.”
Yeah, that line is insulting now. I’m sure other “hints” need to be cut back now too, I’d have to rewatch TFA again though.
I think maybe cut when Han is about to tell Maz who’s the girl and the movie abruptly cuts “not to reveal the mystery”.
This might be a good idea. It probably was the most obvious nod to her being someone special in the Force Awakens.
Personally, I’m going to wait to see what happens with Episode 9. Abrams clearly had something in mind for Rey’s lineage, and now that he’s coming back, he might throw a curve ball and follow through with it. After all, as far as we know, Kylo Ren didn’t necessarily see Rey’s actual parents. Rey saw what she wanted, which was Kylo turning back to the light. Kylo saw what he wanted, which was a [potentially false] piece of information which he could use to convince Rey to join him.
Before we learn exactly how this story ends, I’m going to leave all allusions to her parentage in. That’s just my 2 cents though.
I’m also thinking about cutting Canto Bight altogether. The group realize they need to sneak aboard Snoke’s ship and then jump to the First Order officer noticing the ‘blip’ on the screen. Cut out Benicio Del Toro. Rose and Fin find the tracker and are caught. Next thing we know they’re about to be executed. If possible, I’m going to cut Phasma, but if I can’t do it, I’ll live. The following BB-8 antics are definitely being cut though. The whole mission will be a quick aside towards the end of the 2nd act.
Disney should really have their directors shoot two versions of these films: one for the kids and one for adults. That would fix a lot of the problems.
I think what you mean to say is they should make two cuts of the film. No need to shoot the whole thing twice.
For me, I hated this movie but I can see myself trying to improve it. The goal of my edit would be to focus the film on Luke, Kylo, and Rey.
Cut “Canto Bight” subplot: Was pointless to the film and only served to pad runtime. (To be replaced by deleted scenes of Luke training Rey perhaps?) We pick up with Finn and Rose talking to JD in hyperspace.
Move the throne room sequence to after The Resistance lands on Crait.
Cut Poe’s “Prank Call” to Hux
Make Luke more heroic
Minimize “Marvel-Style” humor
That’s for starters.
For me, I hated this movie but I can see myself trying to improve it. The goal of my edit would be to focus the film on Luke, Kylo, and Rey.
Cut “Canto Bight” subplot: Was pointless to the film and only served to pad runtime. (To be replaced by deleted scenes of Luke training Rey perhaps?) We pick up with Finn and Rose talking to JD in hyperspace.
Move the throne room sequence to after The Resistance lands on Crait.
Cut Poe’s “Prank Call” to Hux
Make Luke more heroic
Minimize “Marvel-Style” humor
That’s for starters.
How would you make Luke even more heroic?
Well, I’d drop my 0.02 in about the jokes and what to cut and what not cut.
-For starters, I would like to cut the “can you hear me?” joke, it removes the tension from the first act, and does not give the audience time to change emotions when Paige dies.
-The Luke and Rey antics at Ach-To, I personally do not like Luke throwing the saber, it kind of makes Luke more of a dick, and it also breaks the tension. But if that was meant to break it, then they executed it horribly. From memory, if you cut that joke out, then it leaves a bit of a continuity error where Rey suddenly picks up the lightsaber from a different place.
-Some jokes that I like during the Luke/Rey scenes were the “Jakku is pretty much nowhere” joke and the “I can feel it” joke. The first one shows Luke’s naiveness and that it reminds us that he is still the same guy who whines about going to Tosche Station. The second joke is also of similar note.
-The BB8 antics are too reminiscent of the Prequels and the Droids cartoon, and also gets annoying at times.
-During the battle between Hologram Luke vs Kylo Ren at Crait, he brushes himself off in a sarcastic way after bombarded by AT-M6’s. And I think it does not need to omitted since it shows his cockiness and again, reminds us of the same Luke Skywalker in the OT.
Well, thats it.
Well, I’d drop my 0.02 in about the jokes and what to cut and what not cut.
-For starters, I would like to cut the “can you hear me?” joke, it removes the tension from the first act, and does not give the audience time to change emotions when Paige dies.
-The Luke and Rey antics at Ach-To, I personally do not like Luke throwing the saber, it kind of makes Luke more of a dick, and it also breaks the tension. But if that was meant to break it, then they executed it horribly. From memory, if you cut that joke out, then it leaves a bit of a continuity error where Rey suddenly picks up the lightsaber from a different place.
-Some jokes that I like during the Luke/Rey scenes were the “Jakku is pretty much nowhere” joke and the “I can feel it” joke. The first one shows Luke’s naiveness and that it reminds us that he is still the same guy who whines about going to Tosche Station. The second joke is also of similar note.
-The BB8 antics are too reminiscent of the Prequels and the Droids cartoon, and also gets annoying at times.
-During the battle between Hologram Luke vs Kylo Ren at Crait, he brushes himself off in a sarcastic way after bombarded by AT-M6’s. And I think it does not need to omitted since it shows his cockiness and again, reminds us of the same Luke Skywalker in the OT.Well, thats it.
I second this.
- Move the throne room sequence to after The Resistance lands on Crait.
I think that’s a great idea, as that whole scene felt like the climax, even though the movie still had a half-hour left. That said, you’d have to move Holdo’s sacrifice, and come skip Phasma’s scenes entirely to allow Finn and Rose to escape before being caught, as they only survived due to Holdo’s sacrifice. This also would result in cutting out DJ’s betrayal, but if you cut out Canto Blight, you could out his character entirely.
For me, I hated this movie but I can see myself trying to improve it. The goal of my edit would be to focus the film on Luke, Kylo, and Rey.
Cut “Canto Bight” subplot: Was pointless to the film and only served to pad runtime. (To be replaced by deleted scenes of Luke training Rey perhaps?) We pick up with Finn and Rose talking to JD in hyperspace.
Move the throne room sequence to after The Resistance lands on Crait.
Cut Poe’s “Prank Call” to Hux
Make Luke more heroic
Minimize “Marvel-Style” humor
That’s for starters.
How would you make Luke even more heroic?
I mean make him less mopey and self-loathing.
- Move the throne room sequence to after The Resistance lands on Crait.
I think that’s a great idea, as that whole scene felt like the climax, even though the movie still had a half-hour left. That said, you’d have to move Holdo’s sacrifice, and come skip Phasma’s scenes entirely to allow Finn and Rose to escape before being caught, as they only survived due to Holdo’s sacrifice. This also would result in cutting out DJ’s betrayal, but if you cut out Canto Blight, you could out his character entirely.
But didn’t Holdo’s sacrifice pretty much destroyed Snoke’s ship? So wouldn’t it be weird if the throne room scene occurred with half of the ship blown up and he’s just there doing nothing and so are Ren and Rey?
- Move the throne room sequence to after The Resistance lands on Crait.
I think that’s a great idea, as that whole scene felt like the climax, even though the movie still had a half-hour left. That said, you’d have to move Holdo’s sacrifice, and come skip Phasma’s scenes entirely to allow Finn and Rose to escape before being caught, as they only survived due to Holdo’s sacrifice. This also would result in cutting out DJ’s betrayal, but if you cut out Canto Blight, you could out his character entirely.
But didn’t Holdo’s sacrifice pretty much destroyed Snoke’s ship? So wouldn’t it be weird if the throne room scene occurred with half of the ship blown up and he’s just there doing nothing and so are Ren and Rey?
Yeah it simply doesn’t hold up logically.
Removing the Fathier chase and trimming it here and there is the most I think could be done without it feeling confusing, but I think I would need to see the concept tested to see if that would even be worth it.
Maybe we could cut to another scene after the stable scene, and then when we cut back to Finn and Rose we see the very end of the chase (when they split off from the other creatures through the field and then are picked up by DJ and BB-8. I think that would work, cutting out the long chase scene but still providing setup and still addressing the animal ‘theme’ properly.
My biggest issue, other than the fragmented storylines, was that the starship chase and Godspeed Maneuver™ made little tactical sense.
Why couldn’t the First Order simply swarm the capital ship with TIE fighters until it went down? Why are all the ships traveling at a fixed speed? Why hasn’t anyone else used the Godspeed Maneuver™ as a weapon? It seems like a hyperdrive would be one of the most deadly weapons in the galaxy if just any ship could do this.
Oh, and I don’t care if Phasma stays or goes.
This. I would say the ridiculousness of this scene was by far the worst structural problem. 1) ships that size aren’t running on diesel. The idea that they all happen to have like 18 hours of fuel left is weird…space is huge. These ships would need years worth of sublight fuel 2) as you say, if a smaller ship could take out larger with hyperdrive, that is all rebels would ever do. Get large freighters with droids or autopilot…sure would have made killing death stars and super star destroyers easy…
Recommend editing the whole “running out of fuel” and merely have them reach system and race race toward planet…first order starts shooting them immediately. And if leaving the kamakazi moment, maybe tie it (somehow) to the shields being down (in which case hyperspace tactic becomes plausible). But all of that is a lot of editing and maybe impossible
I just realized that the (non-) reveal of Rey’s parents begs for more edits to TFA. The one that sticks out to me is Rey and BB-8’s exchange:
“Classified? Me too, big secret.”
Yeah, that line is insulting now. I’m sure other “hints” need to be cut back now too, I’d have to rewatch TFA again though.
I think maybe cut when Han is about to tell Maz who’s the girl and the movie abruptly cuts “not to reveal the mystery”.
This might be a good idea. It probably was the most obvious nod to her being someone special in the Force Awakens.
I agree, there is a need now to cut the following mentions in TFA: