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

[supersix4]

Originally Posted by Sylentwolf

Just in case nobody saw or can find George Lucas' interview with Charlie Rose...
https://www.yahoo.com/news/george-lu...258.html?nhp=1
I only hope Yahoo keeps the video up.

I do have to agree with not only George Lucas but also Blubonnet about Hollywood' scared attempt at "creativity," and what it has done to the innocent and genuine nature of filmmaking and what "franchises" like James Bond, Jurassic Park, Lord of the Rings, Mission: Impossible, Star Trek, and Star Wars; Nevertheless, Marvel's Avengers, Captain America, Iron Man, Spider-Man, Thor, and X-Men, as well as DC/Warner Bros.' Batman and Superman have done to isolate themselves from other independent studios and/or filmmakers (which some are still financially backed by larger studios) within the more demanding movie industry; Some of which, those same large studios, have reluctantly risked making more original films (due to either creative risk like smaller Independent filmmakers / studios, or from financial profit) as in recent years like... American Sniper, Argo, Birdman, Boyhood, Captain Phillips, Dallas Buyers Club, Gone Girl, The Hateful Eight, Interstellar, Lone Survivor, Nightcrawler, Reverant, and The Theory of Everything just to name a few films these last few years (almost all of which have big named directors that have handled films on a more larger scale ).

I would be willing to bet that some of George Lucas' ideas for 'The Force Awakens' was probably very interesting and possibly very cool, but hearing his take on wanting to be "different" everytime, makes me question his actual "overly-creative" process within each of his films. I do believe that his time apart from filmmaking between Episode VI to Episode I did help not only him but practically every other studio/filmmaker based on a "technological" stand point. But in regards to actual filmmaking, I believe that his time away actually hurt or interupted his filming style and/or process, and because with technology having advanced so much, his genuine "practicality" began to fade. What I saw in 'The Force Awakens' was something I was sort of expecting from him in 1999. Maybe his "Worlds" and "Spaceships" would have been considered great achevements from him, possibly to be seen in 'The Force Awakens' as wonderful compliments for the film and possible future sequels, if they ever did make it into these new films; I just hope that Rian Johnson will look into George' options a little more and with respect to being "different" and in "Detail" to Episode VIII, which I believe was lacking to some degree from Episode VII

I haven't re-wached Episodes I, II, and III in some time but I do believe that Lucas does know how to do battle scenes, let alone, how to orchestrate a "lightsaber" battle between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader, Obi-Wan Kenobi and General Grievous, and by far my favorite, Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi vs. Darth Maul I thought Abrams did good job in that department and I believe Johnson will only add to what is looking to be a well anticipated sequel

Lucas wanted to be as far away from his baby as possible, any connection or relationship he may have had with these new films would have drove everyone crazy, because of Lucas' admiration for creativity. If he couldn't be the creative-force for 'The Force Awakens,' then he wanted no part of it. He tried just a little but Disney and Abrams had other plans. It's like he said, "it's like opening a wound."

We as audiences drive what they do. I guarantee you if nobody went to Jurassic World, or Iron Man 3 or Avengers 2, 21 jump street, or this movie you'd see them take different approaches. The problem you identify and he tries to identify isn't Hollywood its us viewers like what is familiar and what we grew up on, and continuations of stories we love...

So I'm sorry that George Lucas and the minority of firm goers who scoff at the idea of having 50 different Star Wars movies can't appreciate what the vast amount of movie goers do but people really need to accept reality.

[ZoetMB]

Originally Posted by Terminated

George Lucas Says He Sold ‘Star Wars’ to ‘White Slavers’.

http://variety.com/2015/film/news/st...rs-1201669959/

I find that very insulting because the implication of the "white slavers" term is that he had no choice. But he had a choice. And he decided to sell, probably primarily because his feelings were hurt over fan and critic reaction to the prequels. If he now regrets selling, tough. He got $4 billion (half in Disney stock).

I'm amazed that there wasn't a "no disparagement" clause in his contract with Disney, but maybe the stock he owns enables him to say what he wants anyway. He's probably the second largest shareholder after the Steve Jobs estate.

And I have no confidence (judging from the prequels) that Lucas would have made a better movie. And where are these niche films he said he was going to make? He hasn't directed since the last prequel and he's executive produced "Red Tails" and "Strange Magic", both of which received relatively poor reviews.

And I say this as someone who does not hate Lucas or think that "he's ruined my childhood".

[BluBonnet]

Originally Posted by supersix4

So I'm sorry that George Lucas and the minority of firm goers who scoff at the idea of having 50 different Star Wars movies can't appreciate what the vast amount of movie goers do but people really need to accept reality.

While I may not be crazy about the lack of originality, that doesn't mean I don't understand perfectly well what is driving Hollywood to making precisely these kinds of movies. As long as they continue to do well, we will definitely continue to see more movies like that, probably for as long as we live.

Is just the reality of it, is all

[supersix4]

Originally Posted by ZoetMB

I find that very insulting because the implication of the "white slavers" term is that he had no choice. But he had a choice. And he decided to sell, probably primarily because his feelings were hurt over fan and critic reaction to the prequels. If he now regrets selling, tough. He got $4 billion (half in Disney stock).

I'm amazed that there wasn't a "no disparagement" clause in his contract with Disney, but maybe the stock he owns enables him to say what he wants anyway. He's probably the second largest shareholder after the Steve Jobs estate.

And I have no confidence (judging from the prequels) that Lucas would have made a better movie. And where are these niche films he said he was going to make? He hasn't directed since the last prequel and he's executive produced "Red Tails" and "Strange Magic", both of which received relatively poor reviews.

And I say this as someone who does not hate Lucas or think that "he's ruined my childhood".

Very few people who have VAST and VAST amounts of control over something can do it better than a team working in cohesion. I have zero doubt we'd have had a worse product if it was 100% Lucas controlled...

He proves not only does he not understand what movie-goers desire, he clearly doesn't know that after 10+ years and the world we live in exposing a new generation of movie goers to the joys by redoing things the OT did so well at grabbing fans and viewers, might actually be smart... Rather than "Something different" attitude backed by a Star Wars logo. Honestly even if [and I don't think it will be], 8 and 9 are exact replicas of Empire and ROTJ which would be sad if they mimicked the OT that much, thats still better to me than letting Lucas control that franchise...

We will get so much content from Disney that isn't books or randomness that at some point everyone will be satisfied, Something Lucas was unable to do during his tenure post OT.

[supersix4]

[quote=BluBonnet;11686418]

Originally Posted by supersix4

So I'm sorry that George Lucas and the minority of firm goers who scoff at the idea of having 50 different Star Wars movies can't appreciate what the vast amount of movie goers do but people really need to accept reality.[/QUOidentify

While I may not be crazy about the lack of originality, that doesn't mean I don't understand perfectly well what is driving Hollywood to making precisely these kinds of movies. As long as they continue to do well, we will definitely continue to see more movies like that, probably for as long as we live.

Is just the reality of it, is all

Yeah I mean would I love some original shark movies, or crocodile movies, or just something totally new I've never thought of before. Of course! But if i had to pick between something familiar and something abstract and foreign to me [i.e. new], me and most people pick familiar and thats why Iron Man 3 as much as I hate it lol made 1.2 billion or 3 times what Django did as amazing as that film was. People love what they love and the statistics back that up.

[BluBonnet]

Originally Posted by supersix4

People love what they love and the statistics back that up.

Um, I doubt that we need statistics to back up a perfectly self-evident statement like "people love what they love" - I doubt anyone here thinks people love what they don't love, because that statement is evidently self-contradictory.

[Zivouhr]

If those media statements are accurate, George Lucas seems like he's still attached to the Star Wars franchise which he no longer has control over; and his statements, possibly out of context (I didn't see the Charlie Rose interview yet), seem like he's hurt by the success of the new film which apparently abandoned his vision and consulting.
Hopefully by now he's let it go and will let his Star Wars kids grow up and make their own decisions, independent of what he wants for them; analogy of kids being the Star Wars Franchise of films. He'll be happier if he's let it go as Yoda suggests, and take the path of the Light side of the Force, not giving in to anger and hatred.

-------
One of the biggest expectations I had for Star Wars VII was a believable cast of talented actors. I was not disappointed, as they made me believe they were those characters for 2 hours, with exciting emotional and convincing performances.

[supersix4]

Originally Posted by BluBonnet

Um, I doubt that we need statistics to back up a perfectly self-evident statement like "people love what they love" - I doubt anyone here thinks people love what they don't love, because that statement is evidently self-contradictory.

Apparently so, Lucas himself with his Orginality comments seems to not get it lol

So it seems to perplex people why a studio wouldn't make another Hancock [and thats a shining example of original success at 620million] vs. Iron Man 55 and make almost 3 times as much.

He himself needs to look no further than Phantom Menace vs. Force Awakens lol People would rather go 3,4,5,6 times to a film that really does mimic New Hope than see a totally original [badly executed film mind you] Star Wars film.

Originally Posted by Zivouhr

-------
One of the biggest expectations I had for Star Wars VII was a believable cast of talented actors. I was not disappointed, as they made me believe they were those characters for 2 hours, with exciting emotional and convincing performances.

And thats the success of the movie honestly... Is the people they chose to pass the torch too wherever this takes the new cast... Was a success even though my personal displeasure with the EMO villain lol

[BluBonnet]

Originally Posted by Zivouhr

If those media statements are accurate, George Lucas seems like he's still attached to the Star Wars franchise which he no longer has control over; and his statements, possibly out of context (I didn't see the Charlie Rose interview yet), seem like he's hurt by the success of the new film which apparently abandoned his vision and consulting.
Hopefully by now he's let it go and will let his Star Wars kids grow up and make their own decisions, independent of what he wants for them; analogy of kids being the Star Wars Franchise of films. He'll be happier if he's let it go as Yoda suggests, and take the path of the Light side of the Force, not giving in to anger and hatred.

-------
One of the biggest expectations I had for Star Wars VII was a believable cast of talented actors. I was not disappointed, as they made me believe they were those characters for 2 hours, with exciting emotional and convincing performances.

The Charlie Rose interview was taped in November, as many others have already pointed out, so it really can't be accurate to say he is reacting to the box office success of TFA.

If memory serves, half of the $4 billion that Lucas got for Lucasfilm was paid with Disney shares, so as a major shareholder, I really doubt he is hoping the movie would be a failure. On the contrary, the better this and future movies do, the more his shares will be worth.

[Zivouhr]

Originally Posted by BluBonnet

The Charlie Rose interview was taped in November, as many others have already pointed out, so it really can't be accurate to say he is reacting to the box office success of TFA.

If memory serves, half of the $4 billion that Lucas got for Lucasfilm was paid with Disney shares, so as a major shareholder, I really doubt he is hoping the movie would be a failure. On the contrary, the better this and future movies do, the more his shares will be worth.

Thanks BluBonnet for the info. I'll have to see if I can watch that interview soon.

[BluBonnet]

Originally Posted by supersix4

He himself needs to look no further than Phantom Menace vs. Force Awakens lol People would rather go 3,4,5,6 times to a film that really does mimic New Hope than see a totally original [badly executed film mind you] Star Wars film.

I watched TPM over a dozen times during its first week of release alone, and so did many friends of mine. I definitely wasn't the least bit excited about watching TFA more than once, so don't over generalize.

TFA will probably make more money when you don't adjust for inflation, simply because ticket prices have gone up considerably since 1999; also, at the time of TPM regular movies simply didn't get released in formats like IMAX or 3-D that have premium pricing.

[frogmort]

Originally Posted by supersix4

So I'm sorry that George Lucas and the minority of firm goers who scoff at the idea of having 50 different Star Wars movies can't appreciate what the vast amount of movie goers do but people really need to accept reality.

I refuse to. Fantasy is so much more fun.

Originally Posted by supersix4

People love what they love and the statistics back that up.

Not me.

[JJLong]

George has already released a Special Edition of his comments:

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/new...slavers-851661

[BluBonnet]

Originally Posted by JJLong

George has already released a Special Edition of his comments:

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/new...slavers-851661

It's just a PR thing, really. I mean, he probably should have come up with a better analogy to begin with, but whatever

[Ray_Rogers]

Originally Posted by JJLong

George has already released a Special Edition of his comments:

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/new...slavers-851661

Really wish George was more Ridley Scott about his movies. Especially BLADE RUNNER since all major versions are available in one set. Wish the same were true for the fans who still want to have STAR WARS on their movie shelves.

Of course I wouldn't mind seamless branching for the deleted scenes in the feature as an option, if they were finished. Very glad George doesn't have control over STAR WARS anymore. Especially regarding his "decisions", for some tie-ins.

[motorheadache95]

Originally Posted by JJLong

George has already released a Special Edition of his comments:

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/new...slavers-851661

Honestly you could tell Lucas knew the "white slavers" thing was a mistake right after it left his mouth. I think what he was trying to get at is that Star Wars is no longer a controlled property under a single artist with a vision (him) and is now corporate controlled. And I think at the time the interview took place (November I think) he was probably still struggling a bit with it on an emotional level.

Still, I felt Star Wars always felt like a corporate controlled entity anyway before the Disney sale-- the prequels felt like sterile special-effects pictures and the merchandising was pretty much the same. The only difference was the movies themselves were a single-vision without being collaborative (for better or worse depending on your opinion of the prequels).

[BluBonnet]

Originally Posted by motorheadache95

Still, I felt Star Wars always felt like a corporate controlled entity anyway before the Disney sale-- the prequels felt like sterile special-effects pictures and the merchandising was pretty much the same. The only difference was the movies themselves were a single-vision without being collaborative (for better or worse depending on your opinion of the prequels).

There is a heck of a lot more going on in the prequels that most critics give them credit for; certainly an appreciative viewer can understand that it goes way deeper than just some kind of special effects extravaganza.

The effects were magnificent in many ways, despite some small flaws - but that wasn't the main appeal of the prequels for those of us who love them and had a blast watching them many times in theaters.

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by JJLong

George has already released a Special Edition of his comments:

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/new...slavers-851661

LOL

Well, could we have expected anything else?

[motorheadache95]

Originally Posted by BluBonnet

There is a heck of a lot more going on in the prequels that most critics give them credit for; certainly an appreciative viewer can understand that it goes way deeper than just some kind of special effects extravaganza.

The effects were magnificent in many ways, despite some small flaws - but that wasn't the main appeal of the prequels for those of us who love them and had a blast watching them many times in theaters.

Eh... I understand the themes and concepts of the movies and story. But to me that makes them all the more frustrating because the focus was always on cgi spectacle and not what was going on with the story and characters. Feel feel to disagree, but we're watching different movies here.

For a story thats supposed to be about a great Jedi turning evil, a crumbling political system turning into a fascist regime due to fear and conflict, and the fall of the Jedi knights from within, not much actually happens to flesh this stuff out. I would have liked to see more of that and less characters running around in a droid-factory obstacle course.

[BluBonnet]

Originally Posted by motorheadache95

Eh... I understand the themes and concepts of the movies and story. But to me that makes them all the more frustrating because the focus was always on cgi spectacle and not what was going on with the story and characters. Feel feel to disagree, but we're watching different movies here.

For a story thats supposed to be about a great Jedi turning evil, a crumbling political system turning into a fascist regime due to fear and conflict, and the fall of the Jedi knights from within, not much actually happens to flesh this stuff out. I would have liked to see more of that and less characters running around in a droid-factory obstacle course.

Let's just agree to disagree on this, I have never felt that the focus was on the CG by any stretch of the imagination, Lucas didn't even originally contemplate having a CG Yoda until the second one - and it seemed like a good choice for the prequels.

But to me all of the CG was just some of the dressing in the scenery, not the main focus of the story by any means.