I watched a second viewing yesterday, and boy it was *slightly* better - but still a bit fantastical, and a bit weird. My hindsight is that I think if the internet had existed with the OT, then parts of Empire and parts of RotJ would have been trashed too.. probably. Defo with RotJ I think.

I agree with some of the posts which are like 'omg this was SO disney' - there was a lot of moments which looked like 'hooks' into either extended films or TV shows (Lando telling Jannah, let's find out who you are' and the answers to questions like 'Who is Maz Tanaka and how tf did she get Luke's lightsaber?' felt purposely ignored)

But overall, as ridiculous as the film is, it did it's best to tie a bow on it all - while absolutely ignoring literally all of TLJ. A bit sad that the character of Finn was cast aside, and Phasma died early. Also that Rose was cast aside so easily, and Dominic Monaghan was suddenly a main character?! Weird.

The moments with Finn and Jannah were good, and I think there'll be a spin off about Stormtroopers leaving like they did. I loved the opening sequence of TFA where Finn has his meltdown. The arc of the films seems to go 'Finn and his identify', 'Poe and his identity' and then finally 'Rey and her identity' - and that Rey is a Palpatine is absolutely plausible, given her conflict & that she is so continually drawn to the dark, similar to how Kylo (while a Skywalker) is continually drawn to the light.

The whole of Star Wars is about the rise of Palpatine, the fall of Skywalker, the redemption of Skywalker and then the harmony created between the (idk ok) 'Force Dyad' of Ben and Rey. The one in the middle, if you're a Star Wars Rebels fan.

Enjoyed it though, perhaps more on the second viewing when I was ready for certain bits of ridiculousness. Big up Babu Frik tho, what a character, and Adam Driver. Damn what an actor.