Star Wars Episode IX: The Final Order

You have to appreciate a big swing. Spence has admitted that he doesn't usually edit films he really dislikes, and it's an understandable position to have. With something like TROS, if you changed everything you didn't like, you might not end up with anything at all. Spence's approach is kind of along those lines, taking out as many offensive elements as possible before the wheels go flying off and the whole thing falls apart.

Working from Hal's solid base, Spence does the admirable (arguably necessary) job of cutting out Rey's Palpatine heritage. Further focusing it on the new characters, he also kills off Leia in the first few minutes. We're left with a movie that matches Spence's intent - carrying on the character arcs where TLJ left them off. The question is, how much of a movie is it at this point? The first act is the toughest part, where Spence is really ambitious in terms of reshaping the narrative. I think the narrative he creates is clear, although perhaps a bit too rushed - no fault of his own, considering the original was too rushed to begin with. Things fall into a more manageable pace once the heroes reach Pasaana, but overall, it still feels a bit empty. I'd argue though, again this is the original film's fault. While some of the running threads have been cut out, they were entirely empty threads to begin with, so nothing of substance is lost.

Ultimately, while the drastic cuts overall make the film feel a bit clearly fan edited, it's a compromise I imagine many would be willing to take. The film isn't magically great now, but it is a fun time, where you can watch it and see the hanging plot threads of the trilogy tied up without having to deal with any of the most egregiously offensive moments of the theatrical. Or, at the very least, you can get a sense of how things could have been better had they designed the film a bit differently. A highly recommended watch either way.

loved this one. has nice color,sound and well done. please make more edits. would love to see some original karate kid stuff. thank u for letting me view your edits.

JJ Abrams' The Rise of Skywalker is a retro-con sequel to The Last Jedi.

Spence's THE FINAL ORDER is a DIRECT CONTINUATION of The Last Jedi.

And a glorious continuation it is!

I have a love/hate relationship with The Last Jedi. I hate the first half, but love the final half. So I was very nervous what my reaction would be to Spence's latest epic. I shouldn't have been. Spence delivers a rousing, break neck pace narrative that never loses sight of it's emotional core or driving themes.

This is a story of self-empowerment. Instead of being pawns of Destiny, Rey and Ben break their shackles and choose their own paths. It is a bold and tricky new narrative to achieve and in lesser hands probably would not work, but Spense pulls the proverbial rabbit out of the magic hat and delivers a powerful alternate vision.

There is only one pivotal moment involving Kylo Ren that did not 100% work for me, but it does add clarity to later actions and sells the emotion of the moment.

It has to be noted and applauded that the first hour of this edit is almost completely different from the original. Scenes are moved around and restructured, changing their context and emotional beat, that result in a much stronger second half. Spence has also masterfully altered/trimmed/replaced dialogue in many sequences to fit his new narrative and there was only a couple occasions where this was noticeable to me. And of course, new musical choices, that both significantly change the meaning of a scene and reinforces the new themes Spence has created.

Spence has easily achieved and surpassed his set out editing goals -- staying true to The Last Jedi concept that Rey is a "nobody", and crafting a very different and emotionally rewarding hero's journey.

BRAVO!!!

Highly Recommended! :)