It's always the same attacks on TLJ and I tire of arguing them, but let's do this again:
1. Killing Snoke and Phasma was such a waste
Really? Snoke in TFA was literally just a talking head, so I struggle to see why he's so interesting. Also, his death is probably one of the more badass moments in TLJ. Taken out while reading the mind of the person that kills him, it's a great moment. Too often, you wonder, why wouldn't a telepath see their death coming? And this is a great way to show how it could happen.
As for Phasma, she has the Boba Fett disease. Great looking character, really built up, but also a bit of paper tiger. She also caves instantly in TFA and shuts down the shields guarding the planet and is ignomiously dumped in the garbage. That's all in the movie that introduces her. And again, it's not like her death is meaningless, it happens at the hands of Finn when he finally announces himself as "Rebel scum".
2. Finn has no character development and Canto Blight is a pointless diversion
I put these together because it's a weird contradiction I often see in all the fuming over this movie. Now, I'll confess that I think the pacing is a little off and that Canto Blight feels long. But it is a part of world-building and stuff that the prequels try and fail and that Andor does much better in showing class distinction and how people that aren't part of the Empire (or First Order) or the Rebellion (or Resistance) views the conflict. These are the ultra wealthy who's profits will be fine no matter who wins. And showing them is a key element in Finn's character development. In TFA, he was only about two things: getting away from the First Order and saving Rey. He never commits to anything outside of himself. That's how he starts in TLJ, and Canto Blight and DJ show him others who are the same moralistically speaking. So by when he finally calls himself "Rebel scum", that's him committing to a cause. That's been his arc.
3. Holdo Maneuver breaks Star Wars
Ah yes, the "I can believe in lasers blowing up planets, wizards with laser swords, but two ships smashing into one another causing a big explosion violates my suspension of disbelief" defence. Next thing you know, a fighter will somehow manage to take out a Super Star Destroyer that has only one bridge? Nonsense.
4. Having the First Order means that our heroes failed
First, no, they stopped the Empire and destroyed two superweapons that would've caused untold suffering and destruction. Second ... I dunno, do we think it was a failure to stand up to fascism 80 years ago, to see it still around today? That fact that evil returns doesn't negate it's earlier defeat.
Ultimately, TLJ gives me more than any other sequel movie and is second only to Andor in Disney era Star Wars content. Some literally breathtaking and iconic visuals, like the silence and shot of the Holdo maneuver, the red room aflame as Kylo and Rey fight the Imperial Guard, Luke facing down an entire army. Porgs and Crystal foxes. Luke's first lesson is both really funny and also a great explanation on the nature of the Force. Yoda, back to a puppet and back to the far more fun and eccentric self we saw in ESB.
