Delpheas said:

Watched the movie, here’s my thoughts:

Love the restructured opening, it feels so much less formulaic that way. Showing us Jakku before its peace is disturbed by the FO was a great choice.

Thanks. I was inspired by fan creations of the alternate openings of TFA with Luke’s floating hand or the Star Destroyer being pulled down and I thought a more serene sequence worked better than the rush of theatrical.

In general your edits were seamless and only added to the enjoyment of the film. TFA was already the best of the ST, but you elevated it by helping it not feel like a ANH rehash. I appreciate what you did to imply that the reason Han left was tied to Ben’s fall, and not him just being a jerk.

The visions throughout were great and helps the ST establish their own storytelling format distinct from the ones the PT and OT use.

I was torn between wanting to make the ST feel super different and also making it want to fit into the saga as a whole. I tried to blend a little bit of both so I’m glad that worked for you.

I have really only 2 thoughts for things to improve on:

From Hux “if the droid is on Jakku we’ll find it” to Rey eating, I think the wipe needs a softer gradient edge, possibly to be at an angle so it feels more Star Wars. It just looked weird.

You’re right, I do need to feather that wipe!

Delpheas said:
I would suggest not having the weapon fire on the New Republic at all. The destruction of the NR has no bearing on the next two films at all. In the next movie the Resistance says they’re not getting help from their allies, which could be seen simply as a continuation of the NR refusing to help. And then in the third film when the fleet shows up, it can be said by somebody that the Republic finally came through.

Aside from the fact the movies never explore the implications of the destruction of the galactic government, the plot point is one of those that serves to undo the OT, and just doesn’t need to happen.

Ice said:

I haven’t seen the edit yet, but i agree with Delpheas about the destruction of the New Republic, and how it leads to nothing. It’s better cut.

I do think the scene of the system being destroyed isn’t very powerful or necessary, though it’s more in there for the sequences around it. The way the whole final battle is cut is like a Death Star run gone wrong. Han dies, the NR is destroyed, and Finn is gravely wounded. If I do change this, how would you recommend recutting Starkiller so that Rey and Kylo are still separated? Right now it is the weapon firing that causes the planet to explode.