The movie was entertaining. But that’s about it.
If anything, it helps highlight how good of a film TLJ is. TLJ is about something. Luke (and Yoda) say things of actual substance instead of offering vague platitudes of “beat evil yay” dialogue.
The biggest thing holding back RoS was the decision to make Palpatine... well, to make him ANY part of the plot, let alone the main focus. It actively cheapens episode 6. Why should The emperors death be different this time? The movie doesn’t address that at all. Why does destroying the first order mean anything? Destroying the empire apparently didn’t mean anything. Moreover, the entire last third of the film goes into trying to get the audience to go along with phoned in Sith lore... I don’t think the Sith were even mentioned in episode 7 or 8.
I get the very distinct impression that JJ was attempting to change the course that episode 8 set the franchise on mid-movie. It comes off as clunky, rushed, and with numerous plot conveniences.
That’s not to say I didn’t like anything about it. I liked the “Star Wars-y” stuff; the lightsaber fighting, the running through corridors blasting storm troopers, the banter between characters. C3po getting his memory wiped was fun. The scene with Kylo and Han was great, probably the highlight of the movie.
But as I said, the film highlights what a good film last Jedi was in comparison. Last Jedi took things in new directions, but not by retconning or dropping in new information out of nowhere to move the plot forwards. Luke might not have been presented in the way people had in their head, but he had actual insight into the nature of the force, and not just how it can just do whatever the protagonist or antagonist needs it to do in the moment.