First viewing was today, second will be tomorrow. This is certainly an interesting film. Its very different for a Star Wars movie, and that might not be a bad thing. People complained TFA was just a ANH remake, and that isn't entirely wrong. This certainly wasn't a remake of Empire or Jedi or any of the previous films. There are obviously three scenes that stick out as the must-talk-about moments.
It went in unexpected directions. And that is a good thing. We shouldn't have been able to predict everything, that would have been boring and pointless. Were some of these choices good, no, not all of them. Taking out Snoke was very unexpected to me. I think we all figured he was the new Emperor and would remain the big bad until 9. He was clearly very powerful with the Force and ultimately I'm not sure if they could have defeated him later. Getting the jump on him seemed the only way to take him out. I think that was a good choice as it is making for some interesting developments with Kylo.
Space Leia was another interesting choice. I think this is probably the biggest issue people will have with this film. I have to believe it serves an important purpose. Carrie died nearly a year ago to the day. They had plenty of time to make the bridge explosion her already filmed, on screen death. They could have reshot the remaining scenes with her without her in them. It would have been a powerful death right at the beginning of the film truly emphasizing the Resistance's dire situation. That could have been easily been done. But yet they didn't. They kept this awkward space survival situation in there despite Carrie being actually dead. I have no choice but to believe they have a greater plan for Leia in 9.
The Space Leia scene also seems to underline just how powerful in the Force Leia is. We've seen her do little more with the Force than get super bad feelings when something devastating happens. Not the great of a power. Luke believed Leia was capable of much in RotJ and I think this proves he was right. She somehow shielded herself from the vacuum of space just long enough to survive. It may look a bit silly on screen, but that isn't anything to laugh at when you think about what she actually accomplished. I think they could stretch belief here a bit by saying she was still within the ship's shield and that doesn't quite make it deadly space, but a little more survivable. I think a line or two about that would have really helped sell that scene though. This HAS to pay off in some way in 9 or else this is one of the dumbest decisions they could have made. As sad as it would have been to lose the rest of the precious footage of Carrie as Leia for the final time, it would have served the overall story better if they had just killed her off in the explosion. I don't know what they plan is for Leia in 9 with all of the claims they aren't CGIng her, but they must have a plan now. This was the perfect exit option for them and they didn't take it. I find that VERY interesting.
The Luke force projection was a neat new power. I liked that it gave us one final moment with Luke and Leia together. I teared up knowing it would be their only scene together (because of her death, not his). I have no doubt we see Luke in 9 as a Force Ghost. Rey still needs some guidance. Heck, Luke still did! I loved the Yoda cameo. That was very unexpected, but welcome. They went full Muppet too! So much better than the CGI Yodas we've gotten lately. Rian's true fandom shows by that little, but important decision.
Overall, I did like this film. I'm actually surprised by all of the backlash. I'm not sure if that is because it gave us something new, unexpected and unfamiliar or if people genuinely just didn't like what they saw. It is kind of the Anti-New Hope. A New Devastation, if you will. Its Dark, but not without humor. It frankly is very much like a roller coaster with several ups and downs, not always pleasant. A little scary, but fun. I'm just as curious where the series is going after this as I was after TFA. Maybe even more so. Both sides have experienced huge losses and changes in leadership. How will those play out? How will Kylo and Rey move forward. Will there be a continuation of Jedi and/or Sith? Will things end happy or bittersweet? What's going to happen with Leia? If Phasma can survived a garbage shoot, can she survive a fire hole? Who will Finn choose? What rank is Poe actually? Just so many more questions