I came in with very low expectations. Turns out justifiably so. This did not feel like a SW movie. To steal a quote from one of the first pages in the thread, it felt like Guardians of the Galaxy 3: We're doing SW now! There was no emotional payoff, I did not care about the characters(even Luke!), it was too bloated, too preachy, too slapstick-y; basically a typical Disney film.

So just got home from my second viewing, and as expected, ended up enjoying it even more the second time. Once the burden of expectations are gone (and in my case, anger each time a spoiler I read ended up coming true), I was able to appreciate the story a lot more.

First and foremost, Luke's story. I absolutely get it now. The first time I watched it, I kept waiting to see him show off in some crazy, badass lightsaber fight like Vader at the end of Rogue One, but the truth is, that just isn't Luke. It never was. Instead, Luke went out in his own way, and it was actually beautifully done. The force projection that he did was an insane display of his force power, and it did exactly what he needed to do - saved the Resistance. I appreciated his story so much more now. Not a lot of directors other than Rian would have done it this way, but now I am glad he did.

Everything else that I loved the first time, I still loved. The opening battle was great. Everything with Rey, Kylo, and Snoke was great. (I made my "peace" with the fact that Snoke was a red herring and not the big bad of the trilogy, so I don't care about his lack of backstory much anymore.)

The music cues were absolutely fantastic. (The TIE Fighter Attack from ANH when the Falcon is flying into the canyon in Crait gave me chills; All the other great callbacks to the Leia/Han love theme, Yoda's theme, etc.) I was able to pick these moments out a lot better.

I still don't love the whole Canto Bight sequence though. That is the weakest part of the movie, but not nearly enough to ruin this movie. (And I still think Phasma ended up being a throwaway character.)

And yes, there are still some parts where the story slows down quite a bit, but what movie doesn't? Even Empire does.

But, overall, I have to say I think this is a great Star Wars movie. I honestly think the people who hate it will likely come around to appreciating it in time, even if it's not one of their favorites.

I said I would be ready to rank it after viewing #2, but I'm still not quite ready. But again, I do believe it's in the top half of the saga. (And to be fair, I think ROTS is a fantastic movie, unlike many on this board. So it's tougher to just automatically rank it ahead of the whole PT quite yet.)

I definitely encourage a second watch for this one.

Also, have to add that I had a much better crowd this time around, which is surprising.

Was in a packed theater, and there was a lot of cheers/applause in all the right spots.

Opening crawl, Kylo killing Snoke, Luke still standing after being shot by all the walkers, and even the reveal that he's still on the island got big applause.

And still gasps all over the theater during the lightspeed torpedo scene.

Brian Earl Spilner said:

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aggiephoenix02 said:

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Brian Earl Spilner said:

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Yup, that's always the main reason I want to go to the first possible showing. Ended up not mattering since that moron spoiled me on here anyway.

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What did they say? I missed it...
Was there any repercussions for the poster doing that?

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I sent an email to staff and I think they banned him now.

This guy spoiled:

1. Luke dying via force facetime (Which sounded way too specific to be a "theory")
2. Kylo killing Snoke
3. Rey's parents being nobodies

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As much time as I've spent on these threads I'm lucky I didn't see their posts. They're a turkey for doing that. I'm not a spoiler crazy guy, but they need to be banned for that type of behavior. Maybe even perma banned...

Whoa. Yea, that dude should be axed for good. Unfortunately, he'll just return under a new alias.

Glad I decided to stop checking that thread months ago. Someone always has to pretend to be the smart guy. Had a strong feeling real spoilers would find their way in.

amercer said:

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After a day to think on it, I don't really care about the plot issues.

Yes the resistance had bad plans that were poorly executed. So has every army in history. Sometimes you don't get the brilliant idea until it's too late (or almost)

Yes the casino planet was a waste that didn't change the story at all, but it was pretty ballsy for the intricate, one in a million chance, heroic plan totally fail for once.

I wanted god mode Luke, but where could the universe gone after that.

It was a great, fun as hell movie.

What I don't like is that NOTHING we spent the last two years arguing about was really addressed. Rey's parents, Snoke, if Han knew Rey, who the Knights of Ren are (or where), what Maz knew, anything about how the first order came to power.

It was a movie that moved the story forward, but didn't build the universe at all. ESB was also a smaller, more personal film, but the reveals moved the whole Star Wars universe.

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Disclaimer, I am a very casual Star Wars moviegoer. With that said, I don't see how these two statements can come in the same post. I really enjoyed TFA and like most everyone else, wondered about the plot points you mentioned over the last two years and figured those plot points to be major enough that they would be addressed in this movie, and not just passively. Didn't happen at all.

As a movie, I thought it was very uneven in tone, pacing, and logic. The very opposite of what I thought The Force Awakens nailed. I give it a B-.

Will do a full reply tomorrow before reading responses here, but briefly I can say this: TLJ is the first Star Wars movie to ever require two viewings to fully appreciate. It is SOOOO different in structure than any other Star Wars. After a second viewing, I went from liking it to thinking it may be the best crafted Star Wars story, even if it has a couple of warts and isn't my FAVORITE Star Wars story.

I can't wait to see what Rian does with a blank slate.

Did anyone notice the hardware wars reference? Or did I just imagine that?

As in the military machine is pumping weapons to both sides and getting rich? Sounded like this was taken right out of the US history since 1965

ApachePilot said:

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I feel like a SJW is doing the casting.

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There's no reason to exclude human women and minorities from a space fantasy filled with a hundred types of aliens.

I don't get the logic behind a great movie requiring multiple viewings and time to think about it. It's like you're trying to make yourself like it. Really searching for its redeeming qualities.

When you walked out of (first movie coming to mind) The Dark Knight, or more recently Logan, you were like, "I don't know, I think I have to see it a second time and stew on it a bit, before I can say if it's a great movie or not."

AGinHI said:

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I don't get the logic behind a great movie requiring multiple viewings and time to think about it. It's like you're trying to make yourself like it. Really searching for its redeeming qualities.

When you walked out of (first movie coming to mind) The Dark Knight, or more recently Logan, you were like, "I don't know, I think I have to see it a second time and stew on it a bit, before I can say if it's a great movie or not."

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Have you never seen Fight Club, Memento, Sixth Sense, Saving Private Ryan, The Matrix, etc.? Lots of great movies gain a TON with repeat viewing forearmed with knowledge of the big payoff or conclusion. Basically every one of Rey's scenes, whether with Luke or Kylo, plus a bunch of others as well during the battle on Crait, carefully and directly build to the moment that Luke defeats Kylo. I commented on that fact after the first viewing, but the second REALLY drives it home and the experience is all the better for it. It's masterfully done.

AGinHI said:

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I don't get the logic behind a great movie requiring multiple viewings and time to think about it. It's like you're trying to make yourself like it. Really searching for its redeeming qualities.

When you walked out of (first movie coming to mind) The Dark Knight, or more recently Logan, you were like, "I don't know, I think I have to see it a second time and stew on it a bit, before I can say if it's a great movie or not."

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I can see it. no other franchise has the baggage, so much emotional attachment, and 40 years of history to live up to like SW. so many people built up such high expectations that no movie could ever live up to. look how many people are pissed they didn't get beast mode Luke that they wanted. some people are going to need a couple viewings to get over their personal disappointment and actually watch the movie for what it is to make an objective opinion.
I went in with no expectations and as a blank slate. came out entertained and happy with the movie.

Got out about an hour ago. It was not as fun for me as TFA, but I think it was a much better movie. The only things I didn't like were the casino and the flying Leia. I haven't read through this whole thread and I was staying away from reactions since I couldn't see it until tonight. Will definitely be giving it another viewing or two while it's in theaters.