Not sure if genius or crap

Rating: 7/10 (20 December 2017)

I have never been more confused about how I felt about a movie than after watching this one. I know I feel strongly enough about it that it's either complete garbage or else a really great film.
Here's my thoughts. There are about 3 or 4 times as many quips in this movie as there ought to be. It seemed like every 5 minutes there was some witty one liner that nodded to the audience. It's the third trilogy of star wars and I feel like you gotta expect a few, but I do not need like 10-15 winks. Some are actually kind of funny though... but I feel like this film series is centered on being a bit more serious. I didn't come for the comedy
The next thing... there is a strong female presence in the casting of this film. It makes me slightly uncomfortable. Mostly due to the amount of prominent female characters in this installment. And I think there were already a fair few back in force awakens. But this time it feels like someone really decided to push a feminist agenda and use star wars as a vehicle to do that. I do sort of feel like this may be a watershed moment in movies for more gender blind casting practices in years to come but right now it feels awkward. In all honesty I think male and female roles are probably right at 50/50 in the film but it feels like a more in your face situation because I really can't think of a precedent that has taken it that far before.
Last thing I'll talk about is coherence. This film felt like it actually opened more loops than it closed. There is not much sense of closure or enlightenment or the hope that it will come in the next 2 hour film. I can only guess these plot blanks or holes are there so disney can make more spin off movies. I feel like the 3rd film is going to have to be at least 10/10 if it can resolve the confusing mess where this film left off. I really hope it is that 10/10 but I also think the odds are negligible that that will happen. I still don't know who snoke is, I still don't know why rey is so strong with the force, I still don't know who the knights of ren are, I don't know who the old guy kylo ren killed in force awakens is... you know? What is the point of watching a trilogy if it's not self explanatory?
Overall, I think the film is worth watching. It's got a lot going on and it's interesting. I just feel like they developed some unnecessary side plots at the expense of actually writing a story that tightens the plot loops for the final film. To me it just smells like disney is purposefully opening avenues to continue to milk the series. I don't respect that at the cost of the current film's quality. But I'd still take this over lucas having control.