This got its own thread, and it's totally about TFA, but I wanted to
mention it here since it deserves more eyes on it. Great little analysis of TFA and why it works (spoiler: it's about relationships).
To make it a bit relevant, I keep thinking about how I'm looking forward to this for very different reasons than I am most other sequels. With say, the new Captain America movie, my questions are all about what happens next in the overall story. I'm not particularly invested in the characters, though I do like them. But with Ep. VIII, I really just want to know what's happening with these characters, about their personal journey. I want to see these characters hanging out together doing adventurous shit. What happens
to them, not what the plot is, if that distinction makes sense.