i might get some riled but imo 'Last' is a better film than 'Rise'. Not saying that its better in terms of fan expectations of what a Star Wars movie should look like, I'm just saying its a better movie. It's better paced, better acted, better composed. It's action sequences are also better staged and edited and have more resonance /impact. Best thing in 'Rise' was Richard E. Grant - loved it when he shot that other guy who had been really irritating across two movies.
having said all that both films fall way short for storytelling and presenting interesting characters. out of the three lead characters Daisy Ridley is the best but none of them have any real screen presence. personally, i think it was messed up right from the start. the idea that Abrams was doing his best to save the series is hogwash. he set it up wrong in the first place with a very derivative, poor first chapter. I think Johnson tried to save it but it was unsavable and by being too fast and loose upset the fans. Abrams comes back and tries to backtrack, but by then it is too damn late.
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