No one can force you to skip cutscenes.

The participating in the fights bits, yeah everyone went through that once.

Main scenario first time is for watching cutscenes. Second time is for learning fights.

If the boss fight could not be started until the cutscene is over then the instance could be held hostage.

I'd prefer for it to finish while I am watching a cutscene, then participating in a battle, but I've already watched the cutscenes... so I'll play with the monsters a bit while others watch.