Star Wars:The Force Awakens SPOILER Discussion

DR NO-ah

What did everyone think of the film? We got to see it two days ago in Australia. What worked, what didn't work? This is a discussion full of spoilers in the film. Avoid if you haven't seen the film yet!

TonyDP

*** MILD SPOILERS BELOW ***

It was, for me, your typical JJ Abrams movie: technically well made, with good action but utterly bereft of original ideas, preferring instead to just crib what came before.

The movie was basically a remake of Episode IV: A New Hope; youth stuck on backwater desert world longing to find her place in the universe, plucky robot with important plans being chased by imperial (now First Order) forces, mask wearing evildoer with powerful force abilities and parental lineage to famous jedi family, planet killing doomsday weapon that must be destroyed, sacrifice of a beloved mentor character near the end, desperate assault on superweapon, etc.

Abrams did this with Star Trek and he does it all again here. I guess this is par for the course these days when it comes to these blockbuster movies: just rehash the same stories over and over instead of trying something new.

There are also some confusing aspects to the narrative. For example, if the Galactic Republic has been re-formed (albeit tenuously), why is the resistance called ... The Resistance? It's as if Abrams, desperate to distance himself from anything in the prequel trilogy, preferred to remain vague rather than call back to an institution from Lucas' movies.

I will also be curious to see how the older fans react to that death at the end and if it will affect repeat business with that part of the fanbase.

As a casual fan, I never had much of a problem with the prequels. They were flawed and the acting often wooden but I was still entertained and Lucas at least didn't just repeat himself. Abrams, on the other hand, just played it a little too safe for me. It will be interesting to see if we get the same kind of rehashing in Episode VIII or if they decide to get a bit more adventurous.

BTW, I'd strongly recommend checking out Star Wars: Rebels to any fan of the franchise; great action and characterizations and a real "Star Wars" feel. But be careful, it's all CGI and I know how some people can get a little touchy when CG comes into play.

James Suzuki

I really enjoyed the film. More than how much I thought to be honest. The familiar plot was necessary. As the prequels isolated itself from anything remotely interesting and heartwarming in the originals.
The new Characters were a highlight to me. Rey was a scene stealer, and very gorgeous might I add, Finn and Poe were superb!
Whatever you are doing Disney, bring it on. I want more.

MilleniumForce

I thought it was bloody brilliant. I didn't see it coming that Kylo REN was Han's son, considering all the rumours were about Rehbeing luke or Han's son.

The humour was great, the fights wee very well done, seemed very raw and realistic.

Kylo REN, when talking without the mask, reminded me a lot of Javier Bardem!

The only problem I had was that when the scene came, Han's death was pretty obvious; as soon as he walked up to Kylo, I knew he was going to put his LIGHTSABER through him. Granted, it's still a dramatic scene and a great way to kill of a main character, but it was a bit predictable.

Enjoying Death

http://epicstream.com/news/Daniel-Craigs-Star-Wars-The-Force-Awakens-Cameo-Revealed

Robbo88

The thing with Kylo Ren is that he wasn't just a two dimensional character. He wasn't just completely evil, he had something that you couldn't quite put your finger on.

I thought it was fantastic and just left you wanting more.

Though my only small gripe was how many times Rey told Finn to stop holding her hand. Why is it a big deal? He's only trying to help her and get her to safety and it's just another case of "I don't need the help from a man."

The Debonair Bond

Honestly, the movie left me feeling very cold after it ended.

It's a forgettable film, which is a real shame, because it really doesn't come even remotely close to any of the six existing Star Wars films. It only made me miss George more, and get more angry at Disney for being such MORONS in dumping his story treatments.

You can tell that the movie had a number of issues during post-production, because the film is basically a blatant remake of A New Hope, with instead of the Death Star plans as the McGuffin, it's the search of Luke Skywalker. Almost every one of the characters is a knockoff of someone else we have seen before in the Star Wars universe. Maz Kanata is a female version of Yoda, Hux is a watered down version of Tarkin, Snoke is another Emperor Palpatine, and Kylo Ren is another Darth Vader.

And I also have to say that I was very disappointed with how poorly they served the Big 3 in this film, especially Luke who is made to look like a failure and has only a 30 second cameo in the movie (considering how he FREAKIN' saved the galaxy in the previous one, that's not a very good move on JJ's part). I didn't like the fact that Han and Leia where separated, and his death I think was very poorly handled. He essentially died like a chump trying to redeem his son, when he deserved to have gone in a blaze of glory.

Overall, I'd say it's a good enough Sci-Fi Action movie, but it's a very poor Star Wars film.

Rian Johnson really needs to pull all his tricks in order for 8 to work.

Robbo88

The Debonair Bond wrote:

Honestly, the movie left me feeling very cold after it ended.

It's a forgettable film, which is a real shame, because it really doesn't come even remotely close to any of the six existing Star Wars films. It only made me miss George more, and get more angry at Disney for being such MORONS in dumping his story treatments.

You can tell that the movie had a number of issues during post-production, because the film is basically a blatant remake of A New Hope, with instead of the Death Star plans as the McGuffin, it's the search of Luke Skywalker. Almost every one of the characters is a knockoff of someone else we have seen before in the Star Wars universe. Maz Kanata is a female version of Yoda, Hux is a watered down version of Tarkin, Snoke is another Emperor Palpatine, and Kylo Ren is another Darth Vader.

And I also have to say that I was very disappointed with how poorly they served the Big 3 in this film, especially Luke who is made to look like a failure and has only a 30 second cameo in the movie (considering how he FREAKIN' saved the galaxy in the previous one, that's not a very good move on JJ's part). I didn't like the fact that Han and Leia where separated, and his death I think was very poorly handled. He essentially died like a chump trying to redeem his son, when he deserved to have gone in a blaze of glory.

Overall, I'd say it's a good enough Sci-Fi Action movie, but it's a very poor Star Wars film.

Rian Johnson really needs to pull all his tricks in order for 8 to work.

It's called playing it safe, whilst being respectful to the originals.

You can't tell me that the prequels were better than this movie. That's absurd. So what if Luke was only in this for the end of the movie? It only builds more hype and more desire to see the next one. Don't throw all your eggs in one basket.

Of course it played out like a new hope, which made it feel more like a Star Wars film then those three shamble prequels.

Lucas needs to stay away from these movies. With his OTT use of CGI and bad casting choices alone.

Moore Than

How many of these cameos (apart from Daniel Craig) did you notice or were aware of?

24 Delightful Star Wars: The Force Awakens Cameos You Might Have Missed
http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/photos/2015/12/star-wars-force-awakens-cameos-daniel-craig-ewan-mcgregor-kevin-smith

Agent Purple

A 9/10 for me. Very enjoyable film, and I look forward to rewatching it eventually.

Yes, it's pretty similar to ANH, but for the most part I think the film worked.

My main issue was the Starkiller and the final space battle. Just didn't do much for me.

But other than that, I enjoyed the film.

Thunderbird 2

I am a die hard classic Star Wars fan, as well as a fan of old school Star Trek. (TOS and TNG eras).

Because Abrams was involved, I expected repeat and recycle, but Star Wars has always had that. Many aspects of Return Of The Jedi repeated the first film and Empire. I didn't mind that in Force Awakens, because I was expecting it. JJ is a hack, and it shows. In Star Wars he can get away with it if the story is engaging enough, and the characters are given enough to do. That sense of adventure and good versus evil is there. The lack of thought in his Star Trek mess is offensive to me, but that is another discussion for another day.

I nearly cried when Harrison Ford & Peter Mayhew, then Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill all made their debut appearances. Simply because I was 7 years old again with my Mum (deceased) and Dad seeing SW and Empire as a double bill all over again in 1982. I have missed these actors in these roles and even though Hamill doesn't say anything, I was reminded I grew up with them as these characters. I wish I could say the same about Anthony Daniels and Kenny Baker who I love as the droids, but the duff comedy they were put through in the second and third prequels still makes me quite sad.

The new actors are all great too, the visuals are spectacular, the aliens are diverse and quite correctly, ILM and a lot of the key people who could still work on Star Wars did. (I recognised some names in the credits!) Is it a perfect film? No, of course not, not even close. Episode I a character discovers their powers and is almost denied a teacher, Episode IV a character initially in denial, discovers their powers and needs a teacher , Episode VII = Oops - Hack Attack! The jaw drop moment was no surprise at all. (Either of them.) A key death in Episode I, a key death in Episode IV, Episode VII = Oops Another - Hack Attack!! Even if that moment had not been spoiled on Facebook it was painfully obvious in that scene. The uber weapon of destruction also replicated Episode I, IV and VI in its story structure. But, different visuals different actors and execution means although textbook repeat, it still entertained.
Thankfully, at least the whole "Stormtroopers are all clones" idea has been quoshed. A bad prequel idea that has been thankfully vanquished. Though in a funny way, that also means the whole point of the prequels is gone too in this brave new world.

Star Wars has a bright future, as long as the story comes first, and it retains the old school but updated feel. Here's hoping we get to see new Jedi, new planets, more detail on the politics and the baddies and perhaps a little input of what has happened over the missing 25 years, a long time ago in a Galaxy Far, far away....



Moore than - Spotted Thomas Brodie Sangster. Disappointed that Greg Grunberg's character was not a latest member of the Porkins family of fighter pilots! Here's hoping he becomes a new take on Wedge Antillies, I like Grunberg as an actor. All the others past me by, but pleased Mr Craig's stormtrooper is an easily remembered one!

cheld

Why did Leia walk right past Chewbacca (whom she's known for thirty years) to console Rey (whom she's known for thirty seconds)?

The "Leia feels a disturbance in the Force" was pretty good, but wouldn't the perfect way to handle that scene be to have Rey start to say "Han..." and then Leia responds "I know"?

welshboy78

Just came back from seeing this, enjoyable indeed but was expecting more if im honest

Some quick thoughts:

Thought the humour was a bit too much (or the delivery anyhow)

Wish Kylo kept the mask on

I think nearly every scene ftom ANH was rehashed

Carrie Fisher talks funny these days

Han Solo death was the highlight but sort of angered me (wish it was Leia instead lol)

Wonder how much Mark Hamill got paid )

Agent Lee

If you're interested, here's my review of the film at my blog:

http://dantesbluejeans.blogspot.com/2015/12/my-star-wars-force-awakens-review.html?m=1

You may also want to check out the other Star Wars posts I've did last month leading up to the release of TFA. Cheers

chrisisall

I just got hit by a truck.
I mean, I just saw TFA.
Wait! IT'S THE SAME F***ING THING!!!

Ford deserves an Oscar.
The writers deserve an Oscar or a firing squad- I haven't quite decided.

I'm not clear on whether I love or hate the film.... I need to see it a dozen more times to find out...

Sir Miles

I watched this last night with my son...I enjoyed it, won't be bothered rushing back to see it again though...vastly overrated - it was always going to be though !
The special effects are really good...but the script is just a rehash of Episode IV...enjoyable enough all the same.

welshboy78

Ive thought about it a fair bit since I saw it (my Mrs wants to see it so I will prob see it again this week - in 2D this time)

I think it would have been a stronger film if they actually just simply took out some scenes

The freighter CGI monsters when Han boards the Falcon - more of a prequel kind of thing and didn't fit the film at all
The new "Death Star" - should have just left it as a huge battle rather then another planet destroyer in the series!

Too much crammed in

- on my first viewing it felt like this anyhow

Lots of great things

New Droid
Sets
New Characters
New Stormtroopers

chrisisall

Agent Lee wrote:

If you're interested, here's my review of the film at my blog:

http://dantesbluejeans.blogspot.com/2015/12/my-star-wars-force-awakens-review.html?m=1

That was one heck of an excellent review mate, I hope you got paid for that! -{

BIG TAM

I saw it just before Xmas. Very enjoyable. I liked how Abrams was able to give it the feel of the originals but still made it his own film. Interesting how so much praise has been heaped upon it by critics for evoking those feelings but poor old SPECTRE is criticised for doing much the same thing. Looks like The Force gets more love than 007.
Also interesting how the passage of time seems to have shown a mellowing towards RETURN OF THE JEDI. It was loathed on its original release.

chrisisall

BIG TAM wrote:

It was loathed on its original release.

Not by ME! I've always loved it. :x

Agent Lee

chrisisall wrote:

Agent Lee wrote:

If you're interested, here's my review of the film at my blog:

http://dantesbluejeans.blogspot.com/2015/12/my-star-wars-force-awakens-review.html?m=1

That was one heck of an excellent review mate, I hope you got paid for that! -{

Thanks man! You should tell that to the A&E publications who won't hire me

BIG TAM

chrisisall wrote:

BIG TAM wrote:

It was loathed on its original release.

Not by ME! I've always loved it. :x

I have too! It's critics who are the fickle bunch. I don't remember much praise being heaped upon it in 1983. The vast majority reckoned it a regression after the more adult storytelling of EMPIRE. The Ewoks were hated, Vader's unmasking was thought twee & the happy-ever-after ending deemed worthy of a sick-bag. But despite this I too enjoyed it. It's fantasy, not real-life. I find it hard to criticize the Ewoks & yet accept Yoda! And for the record I'm not going to jump on the prequel-hating bandwagon it's become fashionable to be part of. I like those too!

welshboy78

I remember my father taking me to see Jedi when I was a kid. The whole Vader finale blew me away!

chrisisall

welshboy78 wrote:

I remember my father taking me to see Jedi when I was a kid. The whole Vader finale blew me away!

It STILL blows me away, every time. -{

Barbel

Just managed to see it today. Very enjoyable, better than any of the prequels (which I did NOT hate, apart from Hayden Christensen), and left me wanting more. Harrison Ford was at his best and John Williams shone.

Jarvio

Rey is hot. Very hot.

chrisisall

Jarvio wrote:

Rey is hot. Very hot.

I would agree were I not old enough to be her father....
8-)