Star Wars: The Force Awakens Vs The Last Jedi - Which Is Better?
11. Core Narrative
The Force Awakens was met with a pretty huge backlash in regards to its central narrative, which most people saw as a rehash of A New Hope. Essentially that was the case, and it's hard to argue that the story driving Abrams' movie is anything other than a relentlessly entertaining hodgepodge of other Star Wars movies.
The Last Jedi, however, for all its narrative faults - and there are plenty - feels totally unlike any other Star Wars movie as far as its story is concerned. There are no super weapons here and no politics to speak of, either. In fact, most of what happens in The Last Jedi is centred around subverting audience expectations. Characters try to do things and then they fail in their attempts, which makes up pretty much the entire plot. It's an interesting take, to say the least.
Winner: The Force Awakens isn't winning any prizes for originality, whilst The Last Jedi at least attempted to do something different - even if audiences were less keen. For taking risks and avoiding remaking The Empire Strikes Back, you've got to give the point to The Last Jedi here.