an incomplete list of things that tlj probably should have dealt with, as the middle movie in the trilogy and as a movie purportedly concerned with “characterization,” but chose not to (alt. title “i don’t regret buying a ticket for tlj but rian johnson is a mediocre writer and i could do it better @ lucasfilm pay me”):

poe got tortured like two days ago but tlj uh. never deals with that absolutely at all

literally why doesn’t holdo tell anyone anything. it’s not like poe is the only one mutineering! he wouldn’t be able to convince any of his friends if they weren’t also bewildered at the lack of communication! she doesn’t tell anyone shit! no good leader can lead alone!!!

finn at beginning of movie: I’m Gonna Go Find Rey vs. finn at end of movie: I’m Gonna Hurl Myself Into This Cannon After Having No Noticeable Character Development Because This Entire Movie Takes Place In 18 Hours

so like does rey actually do any training besides luke’s Three Lessons and slicing up a big rock or

lando calrissian where???

alright maya @productivity-is-irrelevant​ and i have been complaining about this but there are like 3 different tracking technologies happening for absolutely no reason. you know what would have been a better ~OH NO! THE FIRST ORDER CAN TRACK US...... THROUGH LIGHTSPEED!~ reveal?? if they’d been tracking the binary beacon. BAM! immediately ups the stakes on rey coming back AND on finn taking the beacon.

finn is force sensitive and that’s that on that

so like finn and kylo both start the movie injured (finn obviously moreso since he got lightsaber slashed in the back.... although his injury is treated with levity and kylo’s with seriousness............ I Wonder Why). EASY opportunity to parallel recovery / how finn heals with help and support from others and kylo constantly refuses that help and support, because he is a fuckwit asshole

fool me once, shame on you. fool me twice, shame on me. fool me three times, you’re an enormous douchebag who thinks every “twist” is a good twist just because it’s a twist

the point of benicio del toro’s character (who i truly forget the name of because he was imminently forgettable) seems to be Injection Of Grey Morality which, okay, star wars could use a little more of. BUT! 1. rather than making finn and rose look foolish for trusting this weird grifter they met in capitalism hell planet prison, you know what would have been more impactful? having him genuinely help them and they STILL fail. sure, not everyone’s a good person, but part of the point of star wars is the point of all our great stories, which is hope and redemption and that there’s always some good in someone. 2. also, grey morality is all well and good, but perhaps when one of the sides is space nazis, we should be a little more critical of attempts to paint equivalencies between the sides rather than point the finger at the war profiteers selling them weapons in the first place as rose does (and subsequently Looks Silly For Doing Because Both Are Equally Bad)

knights of ren whom?

did phasma have a bigger role or like nah because would’ve been pretty cool to see some more finn vs phasma interaction / generally more closure for Finn, Former Stormtrooper

i’ve got more but i’m tired and i already know im going to start #discourse which i. ordinarily Fear but? it’s been 2 weeks and i’m still mad so