Star Wars: The Force Awakens (12/18/15)

[swo77]

Re: Star Wars: Episode VII (2015) Discussion Thread

I swore off all lurking and posting in threads for films and series near and dear to my heart like Star Wars and LOTR but I'll make an exception to post my brief take on The Force Awakens. I won't post any spoilers.

In short, I was blown away. I'm not going to rank this film in terms of quality (not sure I'd even rank it ahead of this year's Ex Machina if we're just speaking in terms of quality) but I'm not sure that I *could* give it a proper score/rating.

All I know was that I had a cinematic experience on par with the original Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back. Better than Return of the Jedi. Better than anything else, including all LOTR/Marvel films with the possible exception of FOTR. But I'm leaning toward TFA over FOTR. Again, I'm talking "cinematic experiences," not "which film was better?"

No film series will ever touch my soul the way Star Wars has. And watching this new film on opening day with my 9 year old daughter and 6 year old son is going to go down as a lifelong moment for me. We all loved it. I loved all the characters, old and new. I loved the mood, tone, humor (actual HUMOR in SW again!), production design, drama and excitement. It felt more "Star Wars" to me than anything that came after The Empire Strikes Back. I can't believe that this day has come after everything that came of the Special Editions and prequels.

And I absolutely adore the fact that this film fits with the previous six films OR perfectly fine with ONLY the original trilogy. Brilliant work by Abrams.

Loved the subtle homages to everything from Nausicaa to Legend to Friday the 13th Part II to Apocalypse Now.

I have no idea if this film is being roasted in this thread or not but if it is all I can say is this: If SW (or TFA) isn't for you then I truly hope that some movie coming up is, whether that be BvS, Civil War, Star Trek, or whatever. Because finding a film that was made with some of your most precious subject matter and sensibilities in mind is a wonderful thing. SO glad I only watched the first two teaser trailers and no TV spots. Nothing was spoiled for me and boy were there some surprises!

Agreed, for almost the exact same reasons.

 

[Prime Clone]

oh wait a minute...its freakin Star Wars...gonna like it no matter what..lol

That's why I liked the prequels. In fact the prequels arguably "felt" more like SW. But TFA is still a superior film.

 

[stshammgod]

Saw it, liked it a lot. My biggest question though, is who the hell is Max Von Sydows character supposed to be?

 

[DiFabio]

He was in the beginning, just an ally really.

 

[stshammgod]

He was in the beginning, just an ally really.

Yes, but he

Spoiler

was obviously important enough to have the other half of Luke's map.

He must've been someone relevant to the story.

 

[Cixx]

Re: Star Wars: Episode VII (2015) Discussion Thread

I swore off all lurking and posting in threads for films and series near and dear to my heart like Star Wars and LOTR but I'll make an exception to post my brief take on The Force Awakens. I won't post any spoilers.

In short, I was blown away. I'm not going to rank this film in terms of quality (not sure I'd even rank it ahead of this year's Ex Machina if we're just speaking in terms of quality) but I'm not sure that I *could* give it a proper score/rating.

All I know was that I had a cinematic experience on par with the original Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back. Better than Return of the Jedi. Better than anything else, including all LOTR/Marvel films with the possible exception of FOTR. But I'm leaning toward TFA over FOTR. Again, I'm talking "cinematic experiences," not "which film was better?"

No film series will ever touch my soul the way Star Wars has. And watching this new film on opening day with my 9 year old daughter and 6 year old son is going to go down as a lifelong moment for me. We all loved it. I loved all the characters, old and new. I loved the mood, tone, humor (actual HUMOR in SW again!), production design, drama and excitement. It felt more "Star Wars" to me than anything that came after The Empire Strikes Back. I can't believe that this day has come after everything that came of the Special Editions and prequels.

And I absolutely adore the fact that this film fits with the previous six films OR perfectly fine with ONLY the original trilogy. Brilliant work by Abrams.

Loved the subtle homages to everything from Nausicaa to Legend to Friday the 13th Part II to Apocalypse Now.

I have no idea if this film is being roasted in this thread or not but if it is all I can say is this: If SW (or TFA) isn't for you then I truly hope that some movie coming up is, whether that be BvS, Civil War, Star Trek, or whatever. Because finding a film that was made with some of your most precious subject matter and sensibilities in mind is a wonderful thing. SO glad I only watched the first two teaser trailers and no TV spots. Nothing was spoiled for me and boy were there some surprises!

Glad you enjoyed it!

Going for my 2nd viewing in a few hours.

 

[jye4ever]

Well, he referred to Leia in a very personal manner.

Probably Bail Organa.

 

[stshammgod]

Well, he referred to Leia in a very personal manner.

Probably Bail Organa.

Exactly, like he was from Alderaan or something or related to the Jedi somehow.... It was never really explained or there was just no reveal. He could have been Kanan from Rebels or something and I would have been fine with it. But they just dropped the ball.

 

[DiFabio]

It was a waste of Max Von Sydow, that's for sure.

Bet there are a ton of deleted scenes.

 

[jye4ever]

And Lupita, and Gwendoline.

 

[The Clown Prince of Crime]

And Oscar Issac...

 

[WWEJedi]

Max Von's character was actually a

Spoiler

member of the Church of the Force. A underground religion like of sorts on Jakku and other planets. He gathered Jedi artifacts and became the main source of knowledge for the Jedi order's history, possibly knowing more about the order than Luke.

 

[WWEJedi]

It was a waste of Max Von Sydow, that's for sure.

Bet there are a ton of deleted scenes.

Spoiler

I heard Anakin as a force ghost was a deleted scene

 

[Matt S]

Anyone read Star Wars: Aftermath (novel)? I am curious now, but reviews are pretty unkind to it

 

[cmiller99]

It was a waste of Max Von Sydow, that's for sure.

Bet there are a ton of deleted scenes.

I bet there aren't. They knew that they wanted to follow the OT story beats as closely as possible and probably didn't write much more than that

 

[Khev]

Anyone read Star Wars: Aftermath (novel)? I am curious now, but reviews are pretty unkind to it

Read about two thirds of it. It was pure garbage. Almost put me off the whole "new EU" entirely. Thankfully the Marvel "Shattered Empire" comic series was a much better "bridge" between ROTJ and TFA.

 

[The Clown Prince of Crime]

So if Rey is the new Luke, is Finn the new Solo? He had a lot of scenes with Solo and his sense of humor and the fact that like Solo in ANH, didn't want to get involve in the mission and just leave, makes him a similar character. Or maybe Oscar Issac is the new Solo? He's "the best" pilot. I guess maybe there's is no next Han Solo, but one of those two guys will be the new guy in a supporting role who isn't a Jedi and just helps the rebels and the hero/heroine.

 

[Matt S]

Read about two thirds of it. It was pure garbage. Almost put me off the whole "new EU" entirely. Thankfully the Marvel "Shattered Empire" comic series was a much better "bridge" between ROTJ and TFA.

Damn, was hoping to hear otherwise.....

 

[dharper]

I think Poe is more like Solo. The cocky, hotshot pilot. Finn has some of his traits, but I think he will have force potential and end up training as a Jedii.

 

[xipotec]

POSTED A FEW DAYS BACK BEARS REPOSTING CAUSE ITS ALL TRUE ALL OF IT....

My Star Wars review prediction.

1. Those who bashed it before release will bash it after.
2. Those who praised it will praise it after.
3. Those who reserved judgement will judge it after.
4. Many people will hate it because its popular and they wish to be seen as counter culture.
5. Many people will go see it and say they loved it , while totally in the dark about it (before and after) so they can "fit in"
6. Disney will make billions either way.
7. 3 more films at least that will all go through the same pre amble
8. Disney will make more billions.
9. Too much merchandise will be licensed , produced, bought and thrown out.
10. I will see each film because most movies suck way worse than any of the handful of sci fi we get each year.

Tomorrow at 3:30 the Force Awakens for me and my kids! Hope everyone has fun, and remember no matter what you think of the end product, the time spent with you family and friends (bashing or praising) is what matters!!!