Imperial, I feel like the type of rationalizations you’re making for the prequels, with the same logic, could be just as easily applied to your issues with TLJ to excuse them. I can imagine someone having this exact same conversations 5 years from now, but trashing the newest trilogy as objectively terrible while talking about how the Sequel Trilogy is not as bad and “could’ve been much worse” in retrospect.
I don’t believe so. Unless the next trilogy is going to be directed by Rian Johnson.
Disney is ruining old characters(Han, Luke) simply to market the new characters(Rey, Kylo). Instead they should have gone with George’s idea of a Skywalker soap opera where the old generation passes the torch to the next generation. Then they could have their own thing without pissing on which came before.
And the new characters are missed opportunities:
Finn started interesting as a conflicted Stormtrooper who goes AWOL, but is now just comedic relief.
Rey is the protagonist, but she doesn’t follow the Hero’s Journey. Nothing is challenging for her.
Kylo Ren is the most pathetic villain ever. I don’t buy that he killed Luke’s students.
Snoke was JJs mystery box, but after TLJ is nothing but a joke.