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It's difficult to keep humour away from the gaming table. People just naturally want to crack jokes and have a laugh while engaging in social activities - of which gaming is one. And this is all fine, as long as it doesn't intrude on what might be a dramatic scene or a tense combat. And "intrusion" varies from person to person, and group to group.
Some people are fine with an atmosphere of player levity, even when the in-game situation is sombre. Others like to immerse themselves in the drama and tone down any humour during serious moments. Ask you fellow players and GM what levels of levity they're comfortable with, and take it from there.
Commentary by memnarch (who has not seen the movie)
Oh that's not good. Ominous red glows are only good from molten rock or metal, and even then can be bad news depending on the source. This might be a moon, but I doubt that the Peace Moon has a megaforge inside that giant barrel. It wasn't there previously, so... a test firing to demonstrate to the First Order troops? And possibly to crush a good portion of the Resistance as well?
Definitely a good establishing shot of "these are definitely the bad guys". Big parade field of soldiers or officers, lots of vehicles lined up on the edges, ranting leader at stage center, ginormous banner with what's probably the First Order symbol, and all in the stark white-black-red contrast. Swap out the TIE fighters for airplanes, tanks, and/or missiles and it would fit into just about any other story of an evil authoritarian empire. Endor seems to have entered an ice age or something as well, which isn't that surprising given the terraforming done as part of the construction.
Maybe I was spoiled by Annie as Darth Vader and Sally as Kylo and Snoke, but General Hux seems a little... boring? Nonchalant at the very least. What kind of self-respecting evil villain starts a speech off with "I suppose you're all wondering"? It's a fine line for the good guys on occasion, but they're more likely to be speaking with people of equal stature, or higher, when they say it. A bunch of cookie-cutter minions? They're there because they follow orders without too much thinking or they'll soon be ex-minions.
Maybe this is really the first evil character Ben has played. It can be difficult to play against a personal point-of-view without a lot of practice, so Hux being a little lackluster makes sense that way. Chewbacca (and Han Xasha Yanni by extension) is hardly the type to kick dogs just because they want to or feel it's for 'the greater good', and Obi-Wan was obviously good. Hm. Having written all of this out, I actually find myself hoping Hux continues through the next few movies to see Ben improve, even if movie-Hux seems like the kind of character to end up dying at the climatic battle.
Commentary by Keybounce (who has not seen the movie)
[Keybounce's comments will appear here when received.]
Transcript
Finn: We were just talking about you wanting your own giant robot in Corey’s game.
Rey: Oh yeah, that was great!
GM: And in other “great” things, I have to try and get you lot into a group again.
GM: We’ll start with a scene on the Peace Moon. General Hux is addressing massed First Order troops. Ben?
General Hux: {raised voice} I suppose you’re all wondering why I’ve gathered you here today.
GM: That’s really what you’re opening with?
General Hux: I thought a little joke to lighten the mood.
Darth Kanata: Seriously?
General Hux: Trust me, it’s going to need lightening.