There was build up, set ups, character introductions, thematic through-lines that got smothered out of the film just so they could cram it into the shortest runtime possible. This way they get more showtimes and keep it at a family-friendly length.
This movie, unlike any other Star Wars movie, is aching for an extended/director’s cut, because the one in theaters clearly ain’t it.
Very well articulated thoughts, like always! I hate petitions over trivial things like movies, but this is the one time I wouldn’t mind if fans made a petition to release an extended cut of this film.