I thought Episode 8 was well done.
I was expecting Luke & Leia to die at the same time since they were born at the same time as twins.
Snoke is still mysterious to me. Surprised he was killed off in Episode 8, but I suspect that's so Kylo Ren features as supreme ruler for Episode 9. What a great way for Snoke to end.
I like Rey's spunk.
I like the theme of the common, ordinary person throughout the film. Rey comes from common stock. At the end, even though the numbers left in the Resistance are few, there is no doubt there will always be a strong Resistance with the craving for freedom and independence depicted in the children in the last scenes.
I like the themes of selfless sacrifice in the Resistance. The female commander did sacrifice herself as she drove her ship at hyperspeed through the Imperial Ship. Finn was going to sacrifice himself into the cannon for the good of the Resistance, and this was a redeeming moment for Finn since earlier he tried to desert.
I liked the theme that Kylo is not pure evil, but is conflicted with good inside him still. Kylo sparing his mother Leia was somewhat of a redeeming moment for him since he had killed his father Han in the previous Episode 7. I thought it was interesting that his Vadar-like helmet ends up smashed and he doesn't replace it. He's outgrown his childish fascination with Vadar.
I liked that the key moment with the destruction of the Jedi Temple years earlier was depicted from Luke's perspective and Kylo's. Each had good reason to act as he did. Certainly, two narratives interpreted that epoch-making violent event quite differently. Something that is true in most every war.
Fortunately, the new animal creatures weren't distracting. I liked the little penguin/guinnea pig creatures that befriended Chewbacca. The island cows that Luke milked were creepy. Reminded me of an old man's pot belly. Not a good mental image. The racehorse creatures were pretty good too.
Overall, I liked it.