Just got done watching your edit. Wow. If changing motivation was a key factor for you, then you succeeded tenfold. The pacing seemed so much improved (especially for the space chase and Holdo scenes) that it actually felt like there was urgency there.
I think if I have to watch a film that preserves RJ’s vision, but doesn’t feel laggy, or like it betrays core character, then this is the edit to watch. Well done man.