As I mentioned in an earlier post, I totally get that some people are taking this film way too seriously and acting as if them not liking it has ruined SW as a whole for them and ruined their entire livelihoods. I get that a lot of people are passionate and that’s a good thing, but at the same time, I think a lot of these people need to get a grip. Passionate or not, it was just a film. You either liked it, or you didn’t.
However, on the other side, you seemingly have a lot of people who loved it and get their panties in a bunch at the slightest little legitimate criticism (including RJ apparently) of the film, even if it’s not intended to be hyperbolic bashing, preferring to shut down any discussion by essentially saying “if you didn’t like it, then just shut up and don’t say anything.” That comes across as tyrannical to me and more indicative of a “man baby” than anything, by telling others what to do or in this case, what not to do, because it contradicts your opinion and makes you uncomfortable.
Personally, I simply at this point take it on a film by film basis. I didn’t really like Episode I and II, like Episode III, like ANH, like ESB better, like RotJ better than ANH but not better than ESB, like Episode VII, and didn’t really like Episode VIII. Not a big deal. Perhaps I’ll like Episode IX better. Same goes with any other film franchise for me, such as the Rocky, Star Trek, or Predator films. I have particular films within the franchise I like better than others, but I like the franchise overall.
When it comes down to it, it’s all SW for me and as an aggregate whole, I like SW.