[Gothmogxx]

I enjoyed the Last Jedi a lot more the second time around. It has its problems that (just) stop it from being in the league of New Hope and Empire. The casino sequence was pointless for instance (it just took me out of the film, I was far more interested in watching Luke/Rey training/talking or the Resistance running from the Empire or Kylo/Snoke talking. Some of the humour was a bit weak as well. And

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killing off Admiral Ackbar in such a stupid way when he should have been the one to drive the cruiser through Snokes ship was a bad call. Either he or Leia should have been the one to do it. Leia should have died somewhere in the film. I was hoping she would throughout due to real life circumstances to avoid writing her out in Episode IX or re-casting her. I thought they did kill her when Kylo hesitated in blasting her with his ship but because events are out of his control she got blown up anyway (brilliant scene btw and shows Kylo to be an even more interesting character).

However on saying that I thought that the rest was great.

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I don't know whether or not killing Snoke was a bad idea by this point. It works well in developing Kylo Ren as a character but they keep referencing Snoke so much in this and Force Awakens that I want to know more about him. Maybe Episode IX will explain the history behind it a bit more?

The performances were great. The directing was great. I was worried it would just be a re-hash of Empire but it feels very much like its own thing. Nothing at all like I expected which is why I had to watch it twice to fully judge it.

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Snokes death worked well in one way as it comes as such a shock to kill off such a big villain and character in the middle of a trilogy (even though in another way its annoying because again, I want to see more of him and learn about his history which I hope they will explain in IX)

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For two years I eagerly anticipated what Luke would do or what would happen between him and Rey after she hands him the original lightsaber. Him casually throwing it off the cliff was the last thing I would have suspected and unlike other humour in the film, it works. That and Rey cutting off the rock from the cliff which crushes the caretakers wheel barrel, that was good.

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The training. I was worried it was going to just copy Empire but it comes across well. The nice locations whether in the caves or on the outside of the island help as well to help sell fun and interesting sequences. Luke, Rey and Kylo make this movie.

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Stuff actually happens here! No Jedi council (more jedi, fans had been waiting to see more of them for years in action!!) just sitting around doing NOTHING while a red, spiked sith lord and the Viceroy are causing havoc. In fact we don't get any time to sit around or start with the Luke and Rey scenes: we plunge right into a Resistance vs First Order fight. The chase begins and it feels intense as the First Order chases them throughout. Far better than the final space fight in Episode VII.

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I liked Kylo Ren in Episode VII. I LOVE Kylo Ren in Episode VIII. He doesn't come across as a spoilt brat (cough Anakin Episode II cough), he works. Its interesting and an original idea to see both here and in Episode VII characters from the light side trying to convert a character from the dark side. The original idea has been turned on its head. I liked that idea and you almost think it works during that amazing fight in the throne-room and the aftermath. But now Kylo is supreme leader. Kylo as we know is a rogue one (pun intended ). How will he command his empire? I can't wait to find out.

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The ending. Perfectly set up for Episode IX. Luke is dead, dying as he eyes the twin suns for the last time. Before dying he owns Kylo and reunites with Leia (there was a tear in my eye). Rey saves them all. Poe is a better and wiser character with his decision making. Finn... Okay I don't get the romance between him and Rose that was annoying after a moment when I thought he was going to sacrifice himself but apart from that its all good haha

I'd rank them all as such, although the list tends to change, especially in ones in the middle.
1. Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
2. Episode IV: A New Hope
3. Episode VIII: The Last Jedi
4. Episode III: The Revenge of the Sith
5. Episode VI: The Return of the Jedi
6. Rogue One
7. Episode VII: The Force Awakens
8. Episode I: The Phantom Menace
9. Episode II: Attack of the Clones