star wars - Why did the First Order's army of stormtroopers need a pep talk?

In the scene directly leading up to the

firing of the Starkiller weapon for the first time

General Hux gave a rousing speech to his stormtrooper army

Why does he need to do this? Its an army of stormtroopers. They will do what he says, and don't need a pep rally to get into the mood.

Answer

This is addressed in the film's official novelisation. It was supposed to be a memorable occasion that the operation's hierarchy (as well as the Stormtroopers) can talk about at the watercooler later.

Also, Hux seems to rather enjoy the whole thing and, let's face it, he's the boss and can schedule whatever he damn well pleases:

The mass rally was impressive. Those who were present would never forget it. Which is the point of such things.

A thousand or so stormtroopers and their officers fronted assembled TIE fighters and lesser machines of war. Around them rose the central edifices of Starkiller Base. Towering still higher above the buildings were the snowy crags of the surrounding mountain range that simultaneously shut off and shielded the central portion of the base from the world around it.

Glorying in the moment, General Hux stood at the head of the assembly flanked by his senior officers, all aligned atop a raised platform backed by an enormous crimson-and-black banner stamped with the insignia of the First Order. Enhanced by artfully concealed amplification, his voice boomed across the troops assembled on the parade ground.

Comments

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