A film that takes away from the SW Universe than provides

Rating: 5/10 (17 December 2017)

The critical positiveness for EP8 bewilders me. It is certainly a film that has divided opinion amongst my friends an I, much like Blade Runner, both the original and 2049. This review is SPOILERTASTIC, so do not read if you want to watch this film with an unbiased view!
JJ Abrams, had a major task ahead when he was asked to reboot the franchise, and, apart from the horrible repeat use of a certain plot line, he succeeded beyond many expectations. All the new characters were really liked, from BB8 to Supreme Commander Snoke who was teased fantastically in The Force Awakens. The internet went wild as to guessing his backstory. Everyone lived the new 'grittyness' of the reboot.
Rian Johnson has done a poor job overall in moving these characters forward significantly or, in absence of plot, providing action that surpassed Episode 7.
Rey is given considerable time, so she should. We know a little bit more about her past, and what she is capable of. How she unlocked these new skills is given little writing. You can't answer all the questions I know, but no explanation is provided as to how she is so strong in the force.
Ben, some would say is given the best step forward and has the most depth to his storyline. The best aspect of the plot is the 'who attacked who first' during his training. This is a very likeable plot twist and probably the best written part of the film. Adam Driver was an excellent choice of cast and continues his turmoil in Episode 8. I have sympathy for this guy!
That is where the positives run a little short for The Last Jedi. The plot has what I refer to as gaping holes and just poor decisions in what they've introduced to the franchise.
The First Order fleet chasing the Rebel fleet plot device is, in a desperate attempt to bring some originality, is so flawed. Are the rebels faster then the first order fleet? Or, in the many hours that are supposed to elapse, keeping the exact same distance from the first order? This is an empire that was able to construct technology to harness the power of a sun, but they can't catch up to a single Cruise Ship, or call in reinforcements? How can ships 'slip away' from the cruiser undetected by sensors but all you really have to do is look out the window!!? If ships can slip away, why not send fighters in?
The new and extremely underwritten part of the Vice Chancellor is another poor decision in this plot design. Why would she not tell Poe about the plan to escape and cause him to act against her? Surely he would be an asset to the plan? Probably as it would mean he couldn't help Finn go off on the side mission? Wouldn't a better choice be that Finn and Poe get separated off after the evacuation of the base and they can go off on the side mission and trying to save the fleet? You can have then spent a LOT longer developing these two likeable characters, added some humour to a side bromance? The introduction of Rose is pointless, are we led to believe she will play a significant role in Ep9? Was she really required? There are enough characters to centre on and she adds little to the story.
Two aspects of the force are added to, making major steps in damaging the continuity of the franchise. When it comes to any Sci-Fi, for me this is an absolute must if you are to tell a story within a universe and give genuine moments of jeopardy.
When is being able to survive in the depths of space, for significant time been possible? If Leia can do it, with her limited control of the Force, who else could have done it in previous episodes? And pull yourself towards a door? Sorry, absolutely ridiculous and with the very sad demise of Carrie Fisher, they should have made the tragic death of Leia a major plot point and done so without much reshooting. Indeed, she appears very little in the final 3rd. Maybe having the rebels THINK Ben shot at the Bridge? Now, JJ will have a huge problem dealing with the whereabouts of the Princess in Episode 9.
Secondly, since when can Jedi Masters project themselves across the universe and converse with anyone and everyone? As much as the writers tried to back up this major element with the lack of actually touching anything. The ability to do this, again, has been missing from the Star Wars history. And, opens up a can of worms. Maybe they could have inserted some dialogue stating it has never been tried, something Luke has been practising or simply the inevitability of the cost? This would have added more credence to Skywalker's decision/fate.
A HUGE gripe, that even the people I found who enjoyed Ep8 can't explain or understand is Supreme Commander Snoke. We find out NOTHING about him at all. Where is he from? Who is he? Why is he quoting the Emporer almost word for word? Why can he not spot a lightsaber moving two feet away from him? What a complete waste of the mystery laid out in the previous episode. I would have liked to seen him a non force user, just supremely clever, evil and capable of manipulating people, jedi or not. Tempting Rey maybe? But boy, talk about throwing away an opportunity for a good villain.
The humour, too much overall. Some is excellent but sadly lost in the sea of ones that don't land properly. BB8 failing to imitate a little empire droid is genius, but do we need to see Finn falling off a bed?
I guess you can forgive the cute rodents, you can almost forgive the introduction to kids in the story in the silly side story, hey, it's Disney but JJ didn't have to go there and still sold a lot of toys, why did you have to go there Mr Johnson? That whole side mission reminded me too much of why I hated Ep1-3, things were included just to sell merchandise with plot relevance second.
Second only to the missed opportunity of Snoke was the tragic under use of Benicio Del Toro. What a great actor and POTENTIALLY a great mischievous character. What another waste.
Basically, for me personally, despite the positive comments I have received on the final third, the film had lost me by that point. I was too annoyed at the plot by then, it couldn't bring me back.
Even with it's significant flaw, I went back and watched Episode 7 four times at the cinema, and have bought it and watched it four more times on Blu Ray. Enjoying it every time. With Episode 8 I am forcing myself to return to give it another chance and see if I can grasp more positives. Is this really the feeling I should be having?