Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (USE SPOILER TAGS!)

[spiderfan1985]

5/5 It needs another view though to really sink in, but I loved it. Despite some jerkoff on Facebook posting a spoiler! The new characters were all awesome. I love Rey and Finn and Poe and BB-8! Freaking awesome all around! Will post more later.

[spiderfan1985]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I will not discuss plot points of Star Wars: The Force Awakens in my review, because I do not wish to lessen anyone else's enjoyment of the film. I can, however, assure fellow longtime Star Wars fans that Episode VII succeeds in capturing the joys of cinema that we all felt when we saw each subsequent entry of the original trilogy so many years ago. This new movie should be first viewed in a theater setting with a large audience, simply for the experience of cheering along when well-loved characters appear on the screen and when the impressive new characters shine in their own moments.

Filmmaking has changed in so many ways since the original Star Wars trilogy, so I was pleasantly surprised to find that director J.J. Abrams and his crew have managed to retain the tangibility of those older films by using extensive practical effects, while also employing computer-generated visuals to show battles, creatures, and spaceships in ways that I could only dream about when I saw the older films during my childhood. I never once felt as though I were watching a cartoon, as I did quite often when I first saw the movies of the prequel trilogy, because Star Wars: The Force Awakens brings us the best of both worlds with old and new special effects techniques.

Special effects can only carry us so far, though, and I'm also pleased to report that the characters are, once again, the main draw. I loved hearing the dialogue of iconic figures from the original trilogy movies, because the familiarity allowed me to step full-tilt into the good old Star Wars universe, as though I were being reunited with wonderful old friends. I was equally impressed, though, with the establishment of many new characters whom I expect that I will also enjoy following in future installments of this franchise. This new movie shows us awesome heroes and incredible villains alike.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens does go somewhat overboard when it comes to catering to the nostalgia of older fans, and the J.J. Abrams trademark of overusing lens flares is in full swing, but these are only minor complaints. Fortunately, I was more than happy to acquiesce and and fall in line with the nostalgia trip, because, like everyone else in the audience, my eyes lit up when I saw something that I recognized from the previous films.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens is everything that I hoped that it would be, and I cannot wait to see where the upcoming stories take us. Highly recommended!

Funny. I didn't notice any real flares at all. I'm glad you still loved it! I am seeing it again Saturday!

[MorgolKing]

Better than the prequels but very disappointing. Same story as new hope and apparently nobody needs to be trained to be a master Jedi anymore. Luke wasted his time with Yoda.

[DanTheMan]

Still can't decide which character I love the most coming out of Episode VII.

Rey, Poe, BB-8, Finn, Kylo Ren, Hux, and even Phasma were all great.

However, I need more time and rewatches to get a better feel on Snoke and Maz Kanata. Wasn't too crazy about their look or their purpose.

Originally Posted by spiderfan1985

Funny. I didn't notice any real flares at all. I'm glad you still loved it! I am seeing it again Saturday!

It was there literally like 5 minutes into the film LOL. After that, I didn't even notice it again. Either I wasn't looking for them, or I was completely sucked into the experience that it went over my head.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by spiderfan1985

Funny. I didn't notice any real flares at all. I'm glad you still loved it! I am seeing it again Saturday!

I'm seeing it again on Saturday as well!

The lens flare offenses were not quite as bad, but they were there. Small small complaint, though.

[Aerodude73]

Just got back from the 10:10 show in Dolby Atmos X-Plus, totally Sold Out theater.


Loved it. Lots of cheering at the Right spots, big laughs, well behaved crowd.

5/5-Stars.

Goodnight...

[Berek]

Fantastic film. Will be seeing it again and again.

BB-8 was a total badass.

[Lt. Brannigan]

Surprisingly it wasn't so bad, the worst part was trying to juggle lines for three different auditoriums. Only so much space.

[DisneyBlu]

Saw the first showing of the night. After having to line up for three hours, waiting another hour and a half, and finally seeing the movie after a ten year wait... I loved the movie. It's not perfect, but it does get a 5/5 from me.

Major spoilers:

-

[Show spoiler]Han's death is heartbreaking. It feels like a piece of childhood has died off. It's a very, very odd feeling seeing such a major, iconic character like Han Solo die.

-

[Show spoiler]Very disappointed that we'll never see the old crew on screen ever again. Han is dead. Even if Luke, Leia, Chewie, R2-D2, and C-3PO all reunite, Han's absence means it won't mean as much as it could/should. Very, very disappointed Luke only appears in the last thirty seconds and doesn't speak. I love the Luke/Han relationship, and the fact we'll never see them reunite just rubs me the wrong way.

That's as far as disappointments go for me. Otherwise, it mostly lived up to what I wanted it to be and I had a hell of a time. The third act, especially, is amazing. Star Wars is back.

[Holmes]

The seventh entry in the Star Wars saga, arguably the most iconic film franchise ever, is a boisterous and smooth entertainment, but I find one fact very deflating: it finds almost nothing fresh or inventive to do with George Lucas' universe. It is a busily supercharged facsimile of the 38-year-old A New Hope. A disenfranchised youth on a desert planet who does not realize how important he or she is to the in-crisis galaxy at large. A baritone-voiced, red-light-saber-wielding antagonist in sable armor. A world-destroying mega-spacecraft, freshly constructed and with only one point vulnerable to aerial assault by a rebellious resistance force. And on top of this, there is the ample fan service: those moments at which the film almost pauses so we can, say, applaud the return of C-3PO or the reveal of a "new" rough-and-rowdy alien bar. There are highlights and pleasures—Harrison Ford spryly reprising Han Solo, lustrous cinematography, John Williams' trumpets and strings—but it is too ensconced in nostalgic fandom to be elevating or vital. It is at once pleasant and...dull?

C+

[Col. Zombie]

Originally Posted by Holmes

[Show spoiler]The seventh entry in the Star Wars saga, arguably the most iconic film franchise ever, is a boisterous and smooth entertainment, but I find one fact very deflating: it finds almost nothing fresh or inventive to do with George Lucas' universe. It is a busily supercharged facsimile of the 38-year-old A New Hope. A disenfranchised youth on a desert planet who does not realize how important he or she is to the in-crisis galaxy at large. A baritone-voiced, red-light-saber-wielding antagonist in sable armor. A world-destroying mega-spacecraft, freshly constructed and with only one point vulnerable to aerial assault by a rebellious resistance force. And on top of this, there is the ample fan service: those moments at which the film almost pauses so we can, say, applaud the return of C-3PO or the reveal of a "new" rough-and-rowdy alien bar. There are highlights and pleasures—Harrison Ford spryly reprising Han Solo, lustrous cinematography, John Williams' trumpets and strings—but it is too ensconced in nostalgic fandom to be elevating or vital. It is at once pleasant and...dull?

C+

I might suggest "spoilering" some [or all] of that crap.

[Walts Ghost]

Everything I wanted and more. It was heartfelt, adventurous, and made me feel like a kid again. For me, that's enough.

[Richard Graham]

One biggie I haven't seen anyone mention yet.

[Show spoiler]The shot (from the trailer) of Maz handing the saber to Leia is not in the movie.

This means the plot of the movie changed a great deal from what might have been.

[Tony208]

Felt like Jurassic World in a way, some flaws but not enough to make a difference because the rest was so much fun.

5/5

[MTS]

Just saw it. I'll see it again. That's all I'm saying right now. Get out there and enjoy the experience, fellow fans!

[DCW]

5/5 for me!

Hands down my favorite part was

[Show spoiler]Han and Leia sharing a very emotional look with each other then 3PO leaning into frame between them.

About but my gut laughing so hard.

[motorheadache95]

I loved it. I loved everything in it. I loved the final scene. I loved the new characters-- Not once was I impatiently waiting to see the old guard.


That being said, I DO understand the criticisms people had about the way it was done. I can see people being bothered by that. Also, like The Phantom Menace, I could have done with a tad more restraint in fan-service pandering.

But it was so well done that I really don't care. Bravo to JJ and everyone and I can't wait to see Episode VIII.

[Scott_HKR]

Originally Posted by Holmes

The seventh entry in the Star Wars saga, arguably the most iconic film franchise ever, is a boisterous and smooth entertainment, but I find one fact very deflating: it finds almost nothing fresh or inventive to do with George Lucas' universe. It is a busily supercharged facsimile of the 38-year-old A New Hope. A disenfranchised youth on a desert planet who does not realize how important he or she is to the in-crisis galaxy at large. A baritone-voiced, red-light-saber-wielding antagonist in sable armor. A world-destroying mega-spacecraft, freshly constructed and with only one point vulnerable to aerial assault by a rebellious resistance force. And on top of this, there is the ample fan service: those moments at which the film almost pauses so we can, say, applaud the return of C-3PO or the reveal of a "new" rough-and-rowdy alien bar. There are highlights and pleasures—Harrison Ford spryly reprising Han Solo, lustrous cinematography, John Williams' trumpets and strings—but it is too ensconced in nostalgic fandom to be elevating or vital. It is at once pleasant and...dull?

C+

Surely you at least thought BB8 was a beast though?? I mean that scene on the falcon with Finn was hilarious don't you agree!!??

[just1nj]

I love

[Show spoiler]Han's reaction after using the bowcaster.

[DanTheMan]

Originally Posted by just1nj

I love

[Show spoiler]Han's reaction after using the bowcaster.

Even better:

[Show spoiler]"Oh, YOU'RE cold?"