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

[Spirit Zero]

Originally Posted by cricepng

Completely the opposite reaction for me and my local friends who saw the video. When I saw the puppet I thought it looked like Star Wars was going in the right direction.

But what if the puppet was really CGI and an elaborate attempt to fool everyone and demonstrate his realistically they can make a character look like a puppet without requiring any actual puppet.

I doubt anyone is that clever enough to attempt that these days in Hollywood.

I can't see how anyone could think that puppet looked good, maybe from an 80's flick like Labyrinth or The Dark Crystal sure, but for the new Star Wars film that isn't suppose to be a dumb kiddie flick like the last bunch!

[spanky87]

This short video of the director talking into the camera while some extras and crew walk around makes Episode 7 look just as crap as the Phantom Menace?

There was no footage of Episode 7 in that clip so don't know why you'd compare it to Phantom Menace. I doubt that puppet has any kind of role in the film. Just a background character for Tatooine.

[Kirk Out]

Originally Posted by spanky87

This short video of the director talking into the camera while some extras and crew walk around makes Episode 7 look just as crap as the Phantom Menace?

There was no footage of Episode 7 in that clip so don't know why you'd compare it to Phantom Menace. I doubt that puppet has any kind of role in the film. Just a background character for Tatooine.

exactly

[aiman04]

So now everyone's saying that the puppet is lame? A few hours ago everyone was excited about it. At first it's a good sign, but when somebody said it looks bad now that video means nothing. Internet.

[MCT]

Originally Posted by Spirit Zero

So am I the only one here that thought it looked just as crap as TPM? (what we saw of it including the lame puppet)

same way. It looked like a weird stereotypical, old Asian haggler in camel form. Really really weird. The design looked so inspired by the horrible prequel aliens. If Lucas still has any input in how these creatures should look, my anticipation level is about to drop 100%.

[Spirit Zero]

Originally Posted by spanky87

This short video of the director talking into the camera while some extras and crew walk around makes Episode 7 look just as crap as the Phantom Menace?

There was no footage of Episode 7 in that clip so don't know why you'd compare it to Phantom Menace. I doubt that puppet has any kind of role in the film. Just a background character for Tatooine.

I fully agree with you and fully hope you're right.

Buuuuuut for a first glimpse at this new world it wasn't exactly the best advertisement if you ask me. The puppet was lame, childish and doesn't fit the Star Wars universe I'm so hoping for. It clearly has an old Lucas Phantom Menace vibe to it.

The fact that the background also seemed to look like Mos Eisley AGAIN! kinda made me feel low. That and the lame puppet just gave me horrible thoughts of more childish Phantom Menace-esque tomfoolery on Tatooine again -_-

I just hope we're moving away from the kiddie element as the original trilogy wasn't that much of a kids flick really, not until the Ewoks anyway.

[Geoff D]

Originally Posted by Strevlac

Davy Jones was impressive and a great example of CGI being used to enhance real photography of a live action actor. Correct me if I'm wrong, but most of that character was live action and makeup.

It also helps that he's an awesome, memorable design.

Correction incoming:



Davy Jones was basically shot as Bill Nighy with lots of little dots on his face. I don't know if they kept Nighy's eyes, but everything else you see of Davy's ugly mug is CG. So, with a good design and $300 million dollars behind you, that's just how damned good CG can be.

[aiman04]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Correction incoming:



Davy Jones was basically shot as Bill Nighy with lots of little dots on his face. I don't know if they kept Nighy's eyes, but everything else you see of Davy's ugly mug is CG. So, with a good design and $300 million dollars behind you, that's just how damned good CG can be.

Exactly. They did 2 takes, with Bill Nighy for the acting and facial reference and then without him to be added with the CGI later. Not only it's photo-realistic (amazing life-like semi translucenct skin) blending seamlessly with real environment in broad daylight.

[MechaGodzilla]

Originally Posted by Spirit Zero

I doubt anyone is that clever enough to attempt that these days in Hollywood.

I can't see how anyone could think that puppet looked good, maybe from an 80's flick like Labyrinth or The Dark Crystal sure, but for the new Star Wars film that isn't suppose to be a dumb kiddie flick like the last bunch!

Don't be hatin' on Labyrinth and Dark Crystal.

And what about ROTJ? Plenty of Henson-esque aliens in Jabba's Palace.

[iamsometal]

Originally Posted by Spirit Zero

I fully agree with you and fully hope you're right.

Buuuuuut for a first glimpse at this new world it wasn't exactly the best advertisement if you ask me. The puppet was lame, childish and doesn't fit the Star Wars universe I'm so hoping for. It clearly has an old Lucas Phantom Menace vibe to it.

The fact that the background also seemed to look like Mos Eisley AGAIN! kinda made me feel low. That and the lame puppet just gave me horrible thoughts of more childish Phantom Menace-esque tomfoolery on Tatooine again -_-

I just hope we're moving away from the kiddie element as the original trilogy wasn't that much of a kids flick really, not until the Ewoks anyway.

Everyone needs to chill. We saw one puppet out of what's probably more than dozens upon dozens and about 10 square feet of what is most likely a massive set (I'm willing to bet the size of several city blocks). We haven't seen enough to make any judgments. Just relax, young padawans, and I'm sure we'll get a better look this winter in a teaser.

[Steelmaker]

Originally Posted by iamsometal

Everyone needs to chill. We saw one puppet out of what's probably more than dozens upon dozens and about 10 square feet of what is most likely a massive set (I'm willing to bet the size of several city blocks). We haven't seen enough to make any judgments. Just relax, young padawans, and I'm sure we'll get a better look this winter in a teaser.

Exactly! Personally I loved the puppet but for all we know it's probably just some back ground character that we'll see passing by amongst a very crowded market district.

I swear it feels like some people are so ready to NOT like anything about this movie that any little thing they can nit pick they will. Even something as minor as this little 5 minute promo video for Force Change.

[JimboTHX1138]

Originally Posted by Steelmaker

but for all we know it's probably just some back ground character that we'll see passing by amongst a very crowded market district.

Of course it is. Its an Animatronic/Puppet/Robot. Now wonder it was some old dude with arthritis moving so slowly lol.

Lucas didn't hand Star Wars to Disney to hand to Abrams to in turn throw his ILM CGI legacy down the drain haha. Does anyone actually think this?

[Lord Method Man]

Even though it was a silly prop in a promo video it still looked better than any of the CGI garbage in the PT. Can't wait to see what they come up with for the actual films.

[Talzin78]

You can please all of the people some of the time
you can please some of the people all of the time

But you can't please all the Star Wars fans ANY TIME!!

[thegoat]

Obviously, that puppet is the new Sith Lord and will be featured as the main villain of the trilogy. I can see why people are upset.

[Lord Method Man]

Originally Posted by thegoat

Obviously, that puppet is the new Sith Lord and will be featured as the main villain of the trilogy. I can see why people are upset.

It'd still be better than an octogenarian doing cartoon aerobatics.

[iamsometal]

Originally Posted by Lord Method Man

It'd still be better than an octogenarian doing cartoon aerobatics.

This.

[motorheadache95]

Originally Posted by Steelmaker

Exactly! Personally I loved the puppet but for all we know it's probably just some back ground character that we'll see passing by amongst a very crowded market district.

I swear it feels like some people are so ready to NOT like anything about this movie that any little thing they can nit pick they will. Even something as minor as this little 5 minute promo video for Force Change.

That's what people do on the internet. Take every fraction of a scrap of information about a movie's production and run with it, without knowing anything about the movie or the context of what they are seeing/reading.

[Bluyoda]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Correction incoming:



Davy Jones was basically shot as Bill Nighy with lots of little dots on his face. I don't know if they kept Nighy's eyes, but everything else you see of Davy's ugly mug is CG. So, with a good design and $300 million dollars behind you, that's just how damned good CG can be.

They didn't even keep his eyes. Davy Jones is 100% digital.
They just had some makeup around his eyes in case they couldn't pull it off in select shots, but never had to resort to that technique.

That puppet in the background of the JJ video must be a joke.
People who want to see that can watch Labyrinth or The Dark Crystal.

ROTJ in Jabba's palace is awful because of the dreadful puppets.

[Strevlac]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Correction incoming:



Davy Jones was basically shot as Bill Nighy with lots of little dots on his face. I don't know if they kept Nighy's eyes, but everything else you see of Davy's ugly mug is CG. So, with a good design and $300 million dollars behind you, that's just how damned good CG can be.

Duly noted. They did a great job on him. CGI can be great just like this character shows, but you need to know what works and what doesn't and go with the best thing I think. That's were the prequel films (and a lot of other movies really) go wrong. I mean, who doesn't think a bunch of dudes in clone trooper outfits would have looked 1000% better than what we got in Attack of the Clones?