Why I did not like the first two Madoka Magika Movies

On "Story or Spectacle? Why Television is Better Than the Movies" 

The first two Madoka Movies (Beginning and Eternal), were quite literally a retelling of the entire 12-episode anime series. No joke, from beginning to end, the first two movies captured the same exact thing for the combined duration of 2-3 hours. 
And I did not like it. 
And it's not because it was the exact same thing. With the new HD visuals and polished animation, I'd actually be amazed if it was the exact same thing. I'd love a new and improved retelling of the story if it meant everything had an upgrade, because the original series animation was personally lackluster. 
The movie "retold" the story, but failed to convey the same "effect". It's not because I watched the entire series beforehand, but just think about it: How would you fit 6+ hours of storytelling into about a third or half of its original length? You'd have to cut some things out. 
And they did. They cut out some parts about the characters' personal life, some interactions that showed personality, some fight scenes, they simplified the dramatic mood in other scenes- It was honestly a disaster to watch. 
The main intent, yes, was to have new viewers catch up in order to watch the real NEW material, which was Part 3- Rebellion. Even so, cutting out some parts from the first 2 initial movies removes the dramatic effect the original story may have had on the reader. Some critical scenes, such as a characters realization of the death-game situation they were in, or the death of another, were so simplified and toned down that a new viewer may not even care about those characters in part 3, when in fact they are critical components of the movie. 

[Me when I was watching Parts 1 and 2]

The way Parts 1 and 2 were developed was criticized quite a bit, as most people now just acknowledge the "real movie" to be solely Part 3. 

And Part 3 was glorious.