I had a revelation as to the key difference for me when it comes to RoS (and to an extent TFA) vs TLJ -
RoS was stupid and fun
TLJ was stupid, and also NOT fun
It's the same differential I make between RotS vs TPM and AotC
RotS = stupid and fun
TPM/AotC = stupid and also NOT fun
ESB and ANH were rare and somewhat lightning in a bottle, as they managed to be both smart AND fun.
"We hold these truths to be self-evident - all men and women created by the, go-you know.. you know the thing!" - Joe Biden