Star Wars: The Force Awakens [Contains Spoilers]

[BS2 Red]

The Phantom Menace is not a great movie, but it is the best of the prequels.  Attack of the Clones is one of the worst movies I have ever watched and Revenge of the Sith isn't much better!

I watched the new film yesterday and really enjoyed it.  It felt like an old school Star Wars movie and kept me entertained all the way through, was exciting and didn't have annoying characters which is all I really want from a Star Wars film. 

[Welcome To The Jungle]

1 hour ago, The Batman said:

I know it is all about opinions but episode II has to go down in history as one of the worst films of all time. This film was much better than that in my opinion. To its credit, Episode 1 had the best lightsabre fight out of all the films. Good old renton and ra's al ghul battling the demon from insidious. 

My problem last night was it had not one edge of seat moment. As you said, Phantom Menace's finale duel was brilliant, saving that film. And for what it is worth I really enjoyed Anikan's first real tussle with the dark side when he murdered the tuskan raider camp as well as the moment when all the Jedi come flying in which is a moment that no matter how bad the film was, was exciting, seeing all the Jedi getting stuck in. And the third one had the Anakin/Obi wan duel which no one quite knew how it was going to end.

What I'm saying is that Star Wars films should be action films and what I watched last night had not one piece of truly meaningful or plot defining action that was not obvious how it would pan out. I did not once edge towards the edge of my seat. 

[Gazred]

3 hours ago, Welcome To The Jungle said:

My problem last night was it had not one edge of seat moment. As you said, Phantom Menace's finale duel was brilliant, saving that film. And for what it is worth I really enjoyed Anikan's first real tussle with the dark side when he murdered the tuskan raider camp as well as the moment when all the Jedi come flying in which is a moment that no matter how bad the film was, was exciting, seeing all the Jedi getting stuck in. And the third one had the Anakin/Obi wan duel which no one quite knew how it was going to end.

What I'm saying is that Star Wars films should be action films and what I watched last night had not one piece of truly meaningful or plot defining action that was not obvious how it would pan out. I did not once edge towards the edge of my seat. 

For me, the duels in prequel trilogy were just to over choreographed, had far to many back flips etc and almost appeared disingenuous. EP7's were far more grounded, visceral and raw.

Agree with your last line, but i don't think any Star Wars movie has had me on the edge of my seat or left me guessing much. They are supposed to be big, fun, action movies that put a smile on your face, EP7 certainly did that for me. It's a proper Star Wars movie.

[The Batman]

5 hours ago, Welcome To The Jungle said:

My problem last night was it had not one edge of seat moment. As you said, Phantom Menace's finale duel was brilliant, saving that film. And for what it is worth I really enjoyed Anikan's first real tussle with the dark side when he murdered the tuskan raider camp as well as the moment when all the Jedi come flying in which is a moment that no matter how bad the film was, was exciting, seeing all the Jedi getting stuck in. And the third one had the Anakin/Obi wan duel which no one quite knew how it was going to end.

What I'm saying is that Star Wars films should be action films and what I watched last night had not one piece of truly meaningful or plot defining action that was not obvious how it would pan out. I did not once edge towards the edge of my seat. 

I'll come back to you later on with this as I don't want to inadvertently give anything away for those who have not seen it. 

[Welcome To The Jungle]

1 hour ago, The Batman said:

I'll come back to you later on with this as I don't want to inadvertently give anything away for those who have not seen it. 

I know, having this discussion near anyone risks giving stuff away. 

[Barrs Court Red]

Meh.

[Dollymarie]

Massive spoiler turned out to be true but still absolutely loved it! 

[northsomersetred]

On 19 December 2015 at 07:26, Fordy62 said:

Is there a T-Rex or a raptor in it? If there ain't, I'm not interested. 

Something like them, eating lots of people

[MichaelRobartes]

I actually thought it was OK. Far better than the atrocious prequels at any rate.

[Barrs Court Red]

The prequels were an affront to humanity. 

This one is better but it felt more like a reboot than a sequel. 

[marshy]

Fell asleep ten minutes into the first one, never been back. Each to his own I suppose. Best Sci-Fi reading for me is : most things from Philip K. Dick, Philip Jose Farmer's 'Riverworld' series, and Asimov's 'Foundation' trilogy.

[phantom]

2 hours ago, Barrs Court Red said:

This one is better but it felt more like a reboot than a sequel. 

Agree with this, there were many parts where it felt like we had seen it before and you could relate back to another character

Glad I saw it in 3D, that part where the star destroyer took over the whole screen, it was like the flipping thing was flying into the seating !

Really enjoyed it, like others have said better than 1-3, on a par with 4-6 . . . the thing I couldn't get my head around was that stormtroopers suddenly seemed to have human emotions . .. 

A few great twists in it, as Marie said above there is a BIG moment, which I'd heard something massive happened about 3/4 of the way through. . . .. but I think there may be more to that

[Lack of Action Man]

Thought it was really good but need to know more about the antagonist. He became more believable as an actually disturbed villain when "that" moment happens.

Good film though, certainly at no point was I thinking about going for a piss.

[eastonboy]

REALLLLLYYYY disappointed -  far too reverential with too many nods and winks to the original trilogy.

The stormtroopers are far more akin to the Family Guy parodies than the evil cold hearted bad ar$es from the previous films. SPOILER IN WHITE TEXT = For example, when the main dude is going ballistic and two stromtroopers are coming around the corner, they pause and think better of it - funny - but not what I want to see in a Star Wars film)

[Guest]

I finally caught up with it last night and watched it. I enjoyed it personally.   It's funny really, reading the reviews on IMDB and so forth I actually think people go to watch purposely wanting to hate it.  Why bother even going!

I do agree it had more than a touch of a 'reboot' feel to it but then when the whole basis of the previous films were about the life and times of someone who died in the last one (i.e. Anakin) where do you go?   For me it rekindled a bit of the star wars love I had from the original trillogy. The enjoyment/fun factor was there alongside the usual special effects. Harrison Ford did what he does best in the films and certainly got the nostalgia flowing.  I do look at the prequels now and think how bad they look. I think Lucas focused too much on special effects and spectacular lightsaber battles at the end of each film. TFM had a few light hearted moments but after that 2 & 3 became deeply serious.  JJ seems to have remembered what the original films were about and got the balance about right.

Certainly leaves me wanting to see EP8 where as I just went to see EP2 & 3 etc.

[Barrs Court Red]

Now Spoilers is warned in the tag, can I rip this film apart piece by piece?

[Guest]

Just now, Barrs Court Red said:

Now Spoilers is warned in the tag, can I rip this film apart piece by piece?

You can join the haters on IMDB for that..

[Barrs Court Red]

18 minutes ago, Tomarse said:

You can join the haters on IMDB for that..

I sense much anger in you.

[phantom]

1 hour ago, Barrs Court Red said:

Now Spoilers is warned in the tag, can I rip this film apart piece by piece?

Looks like the way to do the spoilers (as above) is to put it in white font colour - then if people want to read it they can

[The Batman]

20 minutes ago, phantom said:

Looks like the way to do the spoilers (as above) is to put it in white font colour - then if people want to read it they can

You menace.

[Guest]

31 minutes ago, phantom said:

Looks like the way to do the spoilers (as above) is to put it in white font colour - then if people want to read it they can

I'd say after a week its fair to discuss the film now..

[Gazred]

2 hours ago, Barrs Court Red said:

Now Spoilers is warned in the tag, can I rip this film apart piece by piece?

I don't think it warrants much more of a ripping apart than any of the original trilogy.

It's part reboot, part safe bet, with some decent set-pieces and some new good characters - not much to specifically hate in comparison.

[Welcome To The Jungle]

For my actual view:

For me Star Wars 7 is one of the safest films ever released. Half the plot a rip off from a new hope from droids carrying essential information for the rebellion, desert planets being home to our heros, bad guy in all black with mask, higher evil that guy in black mask takes orders from and Deathstar/Death Planet thing. There was even a trench to fly X Wings down. 

We will start with Rylo Ken (who's name I had to google) was like Vader Mark II except he seemed to be based on the whining Anakin from the prequels rather than Vader from the trilogy. And as whining Anakin  was about as popular as a fart in the face this was a terrible misjudgment. When Vader got angry he would react not by screaming or shouting, but by calmly raising his hand and squeezing the life out of his victim as he was a badass. Rylo's reaction was to get out his lightsaber and start smashing shit. Then he removed his helmet and we find Severus Snape's younger self.

As for his master, giant floating Gollum played by Andy Serkis (type cast fail) who is suppose to take the place of the Emperor. The Emperor was shrouded in mystery with his face covering hood and any time he spoke it was brief and to the point. The floating giant Gollum is not only revealed from the start, but looks like such a try hard attempt to be scary and menacing. 

A real positive for me was Rey who's character I liked but felt her development was hindered and rushed. I know almost nothing of her likes/dislikes, history and who she socialises with. Finn was also rushed in my opinion. They were both good characters without foundation to make me really care. 

Then there was the scene on Han Solo's ship when he recaptures the falcon. He walks onto the ship and says that he is home, a line that could have been accompanied by a cheer track off a crap American sit com. It felt forced and not too genuine. But I concede there was going to be a level of this in this film so I accepted it. But then there were the two other factions who Han owed money and the the monsters. How did both these factions end up on Han's ship undetected and why was it necessary? The schene in new hope where he shoots Gredo shows him to be able to talk his way out of a situation but also was ruthless shooting Gredo under the table = badass. This scene was Han showing he could still sweet talk but fundamentally failed to portray him as anything else but lucky. Time could have been better spent developing Rey and Finn.

There was also the duel between Rey and Rylo which was not only deeply unexciting but how can someone untrained wield a lightsaber so well. Even Anakin and Luke required significant training from some of the greatest Jedi before they were trusted. Rey can just do it and can use the force too to her own ends, evenbeing able to "outforce" her cousin (if he's not I'll be gobsmacked) Rylo, the most powerful Sith guy.

Han Solo's death was the most obvious and undramatic death of a major character in the series. Rylo should have given him the lightsaber, then as han turned away Rylo should have forced it back and beheaded him (why don't I get to write this shit) followed by no corny line, but a look that says "I rule the galaxy".

The film was not bad, just disappointing in so many ways. If you went to see Han, chewy, Leia and Luke one last time then I guess the film wouldn't disappoint, but as a spectacle it was about as unsurprising as Liam Fontaine falling over his own feet and created the same level of tension as a friendly against Accrington Stanley. As an overall package it is probably better than the prequels, but they at least had moments of brilliance amongst the shite from Podracing, Obiwan vs Maul, Anakin killing Tuskans and child Jedi and the duel between Anakin and Obi Wan. Star wars 7 just seemed to flat line at 0 which is the cardinal sin of film making. 

 

P.S Han and Luke did not interact once as I'd love to see how that relationship had developed over the years (though that said Han and Leia's relationship progression was dull AF)

It is in white by the way.

 

 

[Barrs Court Red]

Excellent post and sums up my thoughts exactly.

[phantom]

Any else think that Rey is going to turn out to be a descendant of the skywalker family?

Not convinced Han will actually be dead. Though I wondered if he was so pissed off that he broke his ankle in the first days of filming that he wanted out lol

Han's son is an odd character - I wonder if he is on a double cross mission?

Simplistic angle

[Welcome To The Jungle]

23 minutes ago, phantom said:

Any else think that Rey is going to turn out to be a descendant of the skywalker family?

Not convinced Han will actually be dead. Though I wondered if he was so pissed off that he broke his ankle in the first days of filming that he wanted out :laugh:

Han's son is an odd character - I wonder if he is on a double cross mission?

Simplistic angle

 

If Snapes son is a double agent he is more like Severus Snape than Severus Snape

 

More White

 

Why can't more threads be like this

[Barrs Court Red]

I did some searching online and there's an illustrated book that provides a lot to the back story.

The Battlefront game features Jakku as one of the maps, and it was the scene of a huge battle that pretty much signalled the end of the Empire. From there they retreated into the outer rim, signing a peace treaty with the Republic- a treaty that forbade them from having much of a military. Given that the First Order is styled on the Nazis, this makes sense I guess.

[Gazred]

2 hours ago, Welcome To The Jungle said:

For my actual view:

For me Star Wars 7 is one of the safest films ever released. Half the plot a rip off from a new hope from droids carrying essential information for the rebellion, desert planets being home to our heros, bad guy in all black with mask, higher evil that guy in black mask takes orders from and Deathstar/Death Planet thing. There was even a trench to fly X Wings down. 

We will start with Rylo Ken (who's name I had to google) was like Vader Mark II except he seemed to be based on the whining Anakin from the prequels rather than Vader from the trilogy. And as whining Anakin  was about as popular as a fart in the face this was a terrible misjudgment. When Vader got angry he would react not by screaming or shouting, but by calmly raising his hand and squeezing the life out of his victim as he was a badass. Rylo's reaction was to get out his lightsaber and start smashing shit. Then he removed his helmet and we find Severus Snape's younger self.

As for his master, giant floating Gollum played by Andy Serkis (type cast fail) who is suppose to take the place of the Emperor. The Emperor was shrouded in mystery with his face covering hood and any time he spoke it was brief and to the point. The floating giant Gollum is not only revealed from the start, but looks like such a try hard attempt to be scary and menacing. 

A real positive for me was Rey who's character I liked but felt her development was hindered and rushed. I know almost nothing of her likes/dislikes, history and who she socialises with. Finn was also rushed in my opinion. They were both good characters without foundation to make me really care. 

Then there was the scene on Han Solo's ship when he recaptures the falcon. He walks onto the ship and says that he is home, a line that could have been accompanied by a cheer track off a crap American sit com. It felt forced and not too genuine. But I concede there was going to be a level of this in this film so I accepted it. But then there were the two other factions who Han owed money and the the monsters. How did both these factions end up on Han's ship undetected and why was it necessary? The schene in new hope where he shoots Gredo shows him to be able to talk his way out of a situation but also was ruthless shooting Gredo under the table = badass. This scene was Han showing he could still sweet talk but fundamentally failed to portray him as anything else but lucky. Time could have been better spent developing Rey and Finn.

There was also the duel between Rey and Rylo which was not only deeply unexciting but how can someone untrained wield a lightsaber so well. Even Anakin and Luke required significant training from some of the greatest Jedi before they were trusted. Rey can just do it and can use the force too to her own ends, evenbeing able to "outforce" her cousin (if he's not I'll be gobsmacked) Rylo, the most powerful Sith guy.

Han Solo's death was the most obvious and undramatic death of a major character in the series. Rylo should have given him the lightsaber, then as han turned away Rylo should have forced it back and beheaded him (why don't I get to write this shit) followed by no corny line, but a look that says "I rule the galaxy".

The film was not bad, just disappointing in so many ways. If you went to see Han, chewy, Leia and Luke one last time then I guess the film wouldn't disappoint, but as a spectacle it was about as unsurprising as Liam Fontaine falling over his own feet and created the same level of tension as a friendly against Accrington Stanley. As an overall package it is probably better than the prequels, but they at least had moments of brilliance amongst the shite from Podracing, Obiwan vs Maul, Anakin killing Tuskans and child Jedi and the duel between Anakin and Obi Wan. Star wars 7 just seemed to flat line at 0 which is the cardinal sin of film making. 

 

P.S Han and Luke did not interact once as I'd love to see how that relationship had developed over the years (though that said Han and Leia's relationship progression was dull AF)

It is in white by the way.

 

 

In white:

It was a very safe movie and somewhat predictable, I don't think there can be any arguments there. To be fair, the franchise has hardly had a long history of water tight plots, deep character development or twists.

Kylo Ren - I liked him! Remember, he's not the finished article, he's still a petulant young man (possibly late teens?), any comparison to Vader, just because he is the main focal point of the darkside in this one is a little unfair. Mind you, he did do something I have never seen Vader do - freeze a blaster shot in mid air - that was a real WTF moment!

Snoke - Yep, CG character, didn't offer much - certainly didn't come across menacing and evil as The Emperor. That said, rumors suggest he may well be a resurrected Darth Plagueis (Google that one!) which could be very interesting indeed.

Rey - Found her annoying to begin with but had warmed to her by the end of the movie. I don't think they could build her character initially as easy as you could Luke (many similarities of course) as she spent the last 15 years working as a slave/scavenger. Only history we know for sure at this point is she was left there when she was a child. Most people think she is the daughter of Luke, which would make her very strong with the force. Whilst mentioning Ray, it is possible that she has already had some training with Luke before the new Jedi order was defeated, then shes hidden on Jakku and had her memories repressed to help keep her hidden. All she knows is someone will be back for her one day.

Han - Wasn't to impressed with how they get him them to meet up with the new characters - the whole monsters on the ship thing certainly felt a bit convenient, as if the scriptwriter ran out of options - I suspect a JJ Abrahams influence there. Still once they were back in the Falcon and off it was great to have him and Chewie back. His death felt a little needless as it all happened so slowly and predictably. It was needed though, to show the fall to the darkside of his son - he now appears unredeemable. Visually one of the most beautifully shot scenes in the film, the way the sun was extinguished and the darkness fell over his face before he murders his own father, really cool. Ford had expressed a desire for Han to be killed off in Jedi, so I suspect this is the only way they got him board for another.

The lightsaber duel - I really thought it was good, no ninja skills here, just pure saber bashing! When the force sends the saber flying into her hand and that music kicks in, wow, that was cool. I think this scene evidenced even more that she has some kind of repressed memories/training. Now she has let the force in, its all coming back to her kind of thing.

BB-8 - Thought he should get a mention, very cute, took on the R2 roll very well and that scene where he pops out an arm with a welding torch on the end to give a thumbs up was genuinely funny.

As you say, not a bad film at all - I suspect that many people, perhaps including yourself, had their expectations set to high. None of the Star Wars films are perfect movies, this one slots in somewhere between IV and 6 for me.

PS Totally, agree, would of loved to have seen the dynamic between the two, all we got was a "Yeh, I knew Luke" then a reminiscing /sad look on Han's face.

Roll on EP8 - looks like it could draw parallels with Empire, with both Rey and Kylo Ren being trained by there respective masters.

If you want to nerd out for an hour, this is worth a watch: http://www.gamespot.com/videos/star-wars-episode-7-spoilers-and-discussion/2300-6428712/

 

 

[Welcome To The Jungle]

Forgot all about BB8 and his stupid recycled WallE voice. WTF was that about. I do also agree that freezing the blaster shot was epic.

[phantom]

16 minutes ago, Gazred said:

In white:

Rey - Found her annoying to begin with but had warmed to her by the end of the movie.

If you want to nerd out for an hour, this is worth a watch: http://www.gamespot.com/videos/star-wars-episode-7-spoilers-and-discussion/2300-6428712/

 

I just kept thinking - stop trying to be Natalie Portman !

Now I've seen all the behind the scenes etc stuff - I'm sick of her stupid smile