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

[YoNoSe]

Siskel & Ebert only needed 5 minutes and a thumb.

 

[GasparZizou]

>StarWars sucks
>StarWars is great

>Let's be contrarian
>Let's not be contrarian

>making lists about things you like doesn't count
>The prequels suck, the OT is great

Is this worth finishing? Still 1 hour to go and head hurts already, they hooked me with how TFA was disappointing but they haven't reached TFA review yet...

Lately I like RLM more than I used it, but boy, when they go full they go full, they can't keep track of their irony within irony theory.

Edit: After lots of >>>>>>> there we go, 2 minutes into the TFA part and there's a GL clip of him dissing TFA because it was lazy fanservice, it was worth the >>>>>>.

Edit2: Yeah their version is much better.

 

[jye4ever]

Just watched the 3D version.

Even with the non Imax ratio the 3D translated very well to the home screen, I think I remember only a few scenes where the conversion was flat. Another good conversion (not really filmed in 3D), yes that now famous star destroyer 3D shot looks just as good as it did in Imax as did the MF chase on Jakku.

Still pisses me off that Disney didn't open up the Imax ratio though..bastards.

Regarding the actual movie.

My emotions are like a roller coaster with this damn movie, so conflicted am I.

I now enjoyed it again, sheesh.

Yeah it got a tad bit boring towards the middle but it all quickly picks up again.

Rey's lightsaber scenes with Kylo remain spectacular, she really pulled it off.

Such a gorgeous battle, very samurai in the snow like, great addition to the SW canon.

The MF escape is still a powerhouse of a scene.

Just a nitpick but the X-Wings needed to move a little slower and have more engine sound.

Solo's death just hurts...really really hurts watching his daughter taking him out.

Luke at the end still tears me up.

I now feel confident comparing this movie to ROTJ although it still comes in 4th place after ROTJ.

I can't believe they had Chewie rip off Plutt's arm in the deleted scene, should've kept that in the movie lol.

 

[rushmore223]

Just watched the 3D version.

Even with the non Imax ratio the 3D translated very well to the home screen, I think I remember only a few scenes where the conversion was flat. Another good conversion (not really filmed in 3D), yes that now famous star destroyer 3D shot looks just as good as it did in Imax as did the MF chase on Jakku.

Regarding the actual movie.

My emotions are like a roller coaster with this damn movie, so conflicted am I.

I now enjoyed it again, sheesh.

Yeah it got a tad bit boring towards the middle but it all quickly picks up again.

Rey's lightsaber scenes with Kylo remain spectacular, she really pulled it off.

Such a gorgeous battle, very samurai in the snow like, great addition to the SW canon.

The MF escape is still a powerhouse of a scene.

Just a nitpick but the X-Wings needed to move a little slower and have more engine sound.

Solo's death just hurts...really really hurts watching his daughter taking him out.

Luke at the end still tears me up.

I now feel confident comparing this movie to ROTJ although it still comes in 4th place after ROTJ.

I can't believe they had Chewie rip off Plutt's arm in the deleted scene, should've kept that in the movie lol.

Welcome back Jye. You get a cookie.

 

[Khev]

Great commentary track by Abrams.

Kudos to him for reshooting so many different versions of so many scenes to get them just right, often times at the suggestions of those around him. So unlike Lucas. Amazing that the one shot of Rey skimming the sunset horizon on Jakku had no CGI at all save for her speeder.

Interesting that he considers Kylo Ren to be a personification of the movie itself. That Kylo/TFA are both offsprings containing the DNA of Vader/the OT but are slightly different, more rough around the edges, and felt the immense pressure of trying to live up to their predecessors. An impressive level of self-awareness and candor.

 

[Khev]

I can't believe they had Chewie rip off Plutt's arm in the deleted scene, should've kept that in the movie lol.

Just the way Chewie grabs his wrist, twists his arm to dislocate it, then rips it out with that scream and the blood all because Plutt was being a ***** and poking his bandage. *shudder* A definite exclamation point to the notion that the galaxy can be a brutal place and that Chewie is absolutely NOT to be trifled with. I think that scene plus the one scene where Leia sends that girl who ends up getting blown up on the balcony of the Republic (who clearly did not want to go) would have added a couple of borderline disturbing moments to the film. Then if those moments were added in PLUS the jokey scene of Han in the tunnel under Maz' castle with the Stormtroopers it might have given the whole film a bit of a "Temple of Doom" vibe, that fascinating juxtaposition of dark, disturbing, and violent offset by borderline silly brevity.

Thinking of where each of those scenes would have had to have been placed the pacing of the film was probably better served without them but it would have been interesting to see nonetheless.

 

[guyver1]

Anybody see that 3D collected edition of TFA at target

 

[jye4ever]

Just the way Chewie grabs his wrist, twists his arm to dislocate it, then rips it out with that scream and the blood all because Plutt was being a ***** and poking his bandage. *shudder* A definite exclamation point to the notion that the galaxy can be a brutal place and that Chewie is absolutely NOT to be trifled with. I think that scene plus the one scene where Leia sends that girl who ends up getting blown up on the balcony of the Republic (who clearly did not want to go) would have added a couple of borderline disturbing moments to the film. Then if those moments were added in PLUS the jokey scene of Han in the tunnel under Maz' castle with the Stormtroopers it might have given the whole film a bit of a "Temple of Doom" vibe, that fascinating juxtaposition of dark, disturbing, and violent offset by borderline silly brevity.

Thinking of where each of those scenes would have had to have been placed the pacing of the film was probably better served without them but it would have been interesting to see nonetheless.

Yeah the movie was better served by them being cut.....except Plutt's arm scene lol.

Was it ever figured out who Plutt called after Rey refused to sell BB8?

Was it the gangs that converged on Han?

Also why would Plutt be at Maz's place anyways.

This is also a HUGE problem i'm having with TFA, I can only remember planet Jakku, not Maz's planet.

At least with the PT the planet names were memorable...except the one where Grievous fought with Obi-Wan.

 

[Khev]

Was it ever figured out who Plutt called after Rey refused to sell BB8?

Assumedly the two thugs who jumped Rey and bagged BB-8 in the very next scene.

Also why would Plutt be at Maz's place anyways.

Probably because of a homing device he placed on the Falcon.

I really want to know how that tunnel sequence was supposed to end. The troopers ask for Han's blaster and he just says "It's broken" and that's it. Had to be more than that.

This is also a HUGE problem i'm having with TFA, I can only remember planet Jakku,

Not Starkiller Base??

At least with the PT the planet names were memorable...except the one where Grievous fought with Obi-Wan.

Well for "memorability" TPM had Naboo and Coruscant (Tatooine obviously doesn't count.) AOTC had Geonosis and Kamino System. ROTS had Mustafar.

So I'd say Jakku and Starkiller put TFA on par with the PT in that regard (or better in ROTS' case) and also better than ROTJ (which just had Endor, everything else was a repeat.)

 

[jye4ever]

Starkiller Base is an easy one.

I have to tell you Khev, when "that scene" starts with Han and Kylo.....where Han first notices him walking out to the bridge, I get antsy.

Leia's reaction actually moved me this time out and poor Luke, he must've felt it as well.

 

[Khev]

I have to tell you Khev, when "that scene" starts with Han and Kylo.....where Han first notices him walking out to the bridge, I get antsy.

Yeah, there's something about it, the way Han's relatively safe and hidden, got his buddy Chewie nearby, the two kids helping him out outside, and yet you can just feel that Han *knows* he can't walk away from this moment, that he has to step out, no matter the result, and that he can't tell anyone else or say goodbye. He just seems so utterly alone. It is a bit unnerving.

Always makes me savor his last hug with Leia on each successive viewing.

 

[punisher1974]

That is one of the things that makes Han a hero despite how he always said he was in it only for money. He always had the air of a protector and someone who would fight for those who couldn't or wouldn't. Though always very much a rogue about it. Love the way Ford nailed Han's final scene. Though it hurts everytime I see it and I wish he could have seen Luke one last time. Just curious to see if we find out how Luke and Han went separate ways. I am looking forward to the next two installments of this trilogy to see what happens. I hope Kylo is not redeemed but I am sure he will be. He needs to go out a true bad guy and get his come uppance and no force ghost bs either.

 

[jye4ever]

Good post /\

Imagine if Snoke is Vader's ghost and he wants the power from Ren to bring him back.

As crazy as this may sound can you imagine if they do bring Vader back for another duel with Luke lol.

 

[punisher1974]

That would be fine with me actually. Vader was a great villain. iconic look and how he played with luke in empire because he was so sure he could bring him to the dark side. I need to read the force awakens book. I picked it up when it came out haven't read it yet. Does it add any depth to Han's last scene?

 

[Khev]

I'm guessing we'll end up seeing a Luke/Snoke showdown and a Rey/Ren rematch. I wonder if Luke gave him that gash down his face. I consider Kylo second only to Vader of all the great villains in the saga. To me he really is what I would have wanted to see in a pre-Vader Anakin. I know some people just dismiss him as another Hayden Christensen but I don't. The reason being that Driver always seemed like a badass who acted emotional compared to Hayden who came across as a sissy trying to act tough.

 

[punisher1974]

Very true Khev about Ren. Better character as far as being able to intimidate his enemies. I love the scene where freezes the blaster bolt. No words needed to show how powerful he can be. If the prequels had more story and not all special effects Anakin's turn could have been more convincing. Was very forced especially his scene with Mace Windu before Windu goes to confront Palpatine

 

[jye4ever]

So you 2 don't think Snoke has anything to do with Vader?

Rey's lightsaber battle and "awakening" during it remains a very powerful heroic scene for me.

It really is the best lightsaber duel since Maul's.

Obi Wan v Anakin in ROTS just went on for far too long.

Anyways back to Snoke/Ren...Han even warned him that Snoke will crush him!

It's not going to go well for Ren.

This series has multiple arcs going on vs the OT which was really just Luke's journey which also impacted Vader.

 

[punisher1974]

Oh I think snoke has something to do with Vader. Han knew too much when he told ren that snoke was using him and would crush him when he got what he wanted. I am still not fully convinced that Han didn't ignite ren's saber to try and bring him back to the good side or to have Chewie take him out when he thought he was murdered. It's great that the new movies make you speculate and not be spoon fed everything. Really like it on repeat viewings.

 

[Khev]

So you 2 don't think Snoke has anything to do with Vader?

I don't think so. I think "Supreme Leader Snoke" (as opposed to Darth Snoke) was Abrams' and Kasdan's indicator that he's a new brand of Dark Side villain. We'll see. I think that Vader is an idol of Ren's that he keeps secret from Snoke. I doubt the Supreme Leader would be thrilled with knowing that his prize apprentice seeks silent pep talks from a dead rival's helmet behind his back.

Rey's lightsaber battle and "awakening" during it remains a very powerful heroic scene for me.

Agreed.

Anyways back to Snoke/Ren...Han even warned him that Snoke will crush him!

It's not going to go well for Ren.

It'll be interesting to see if the other "Knights" in Rey's vision rise to become prominent characters or are just fodder for her and Luke to cut down on their way to Ren and Snoke. It's amazing to have no idea of what is coming next. With the LOTR and Hobbit trilogies very little was a surprise because I knew the books. We knew how the PT would end too. Right now we're in SW/ESB/TDK land where anything is possible with the next one and the sky is the limit. Hope they don't screw it up!

 

[jye4ever]

Yeah good point about treading in unknown territory.

I will now walk into E8 absolutely panicking over Luke's arc.

Becareful for what you ask for when that request is for more SW post E6 lol.