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

[Gamma_Winstead]

Originally Posted by Nada

There is formula and there is a remake. The Force Awakens runs closer to a remake. The Phantom Menace does not. Attack of the Clones does not. Revenge of the Sith does not. There are small callbacks and some mirroring, but it does not follow the story of a previous entry beat for beat.

James Bond is a bit different because each film, up until the Craig films, are their own entity and don't relate to previous films, so the formula works with deviations here and there.

Fury Road, aside from being a chase movie, is very different from the previous films, both visually and from a story and subtext standpoint.

I honestly don't think you've seen this film. If you can say that about mad max, but not feel the same way about TFA, then you either have serious bias, or haven't seen the film. The Force Awakens does so much different with its characters, and plot, that it's impossible to call it a remake. Creed has a similar narrative structure to rocky and rocky V. I don't see you running around like a loon constantly dismissing that film and tearing it down.

You want to hate this movie. Admit it. We have suffered dozens of posts, from you saying stupid crap like "there's no way this movie opens to 200 million" to now calling it a full on remake. You haven't had, nor will you have, any intention of being positive. You just want this movie to fail, and you want everyone to hate it because you decided you would months ago.

[Dorklord]

Going for my second viewing today!!! Seeing it in IMAX 3D!!! My thoughts after my first viewing... It was absolutely epicly awesome. No prequel weaknesses at all. Great acting, great story, great action, great special and practical effects. It actually exceeded my personal expectations. A little background on myself... I'm 47 years old and grew up on Star Wars. I loved the original trilogy and hold it near and dear to my heart and while I didn't hate the prequels, I found them to be a collection of a few fun moments but really not so good movies. The Empire Strikes Back has been my favorite film in the series and I never thought I'd be saying this but I think The Force Awakens might have edged it out. I'll know for sure after my second viewing today. But again... I simply LOVED it.

I disagree with those saying it's a retelling of A New Hope... while it has it's similarities... sure... but those similarities exist for a reason that will be more fleshed out in the coming sequels. I also disagree with those saying Kylo Ren was a weak villain... he was flawed from a personality standpoint but he's a character that is meant to be greatly conflicted and battling some serious demons... those of course will be fleshed out more in the coming sequels as well. LOVED it ALL... the future of Star Wars looks SO BRIGHT!!!

[supersix4]

Originally Posted by kurtlingle

A bit over the top, if you ask me.
Why can't someone like the prequels without being called names?

True I mean I enjoy them to complete the story and for entertainment

[Jumpman]

Originally Posted by Nada

There is formula and there is a remake. The Force Awakens runs closer to a remake. The Phantom Menace does not. Attack of the Clones does not. Revenge of the Sith does not. There are small callbacks and some mirroring, but it does not follow the story of a previous entry beat for beat.

James Bond is a bit different because each film, up until the Craig films, are their own entity and don't relate to previous films, so the formula works with deviations here and there.

Fury Road, aside from being a chase movie, is very different from the previous films, both visually and from a story and subtext standpoint.

Truth.

[Dorklord]

Originally Posted by Gamma_Winstead

I honestly don't think you've seen this film. If you can say that about mad max, but not feel the same way about TFA, then you either have serious bias, or haven't seen the film. The Force Awakens does so much different with its characters, and plot, that it's impossible to call it a remake. Creed has a similar narrative structure to rocky and rocky V. I don't see you running around like a loon constantly dismissing that film and tearing it down.

You want to hate this movie. Admit it. We have suffered dozens of posts, from you saying stupid crap like "there's no way this movie opens to 200 million" to now calling it a full on remake. You haven't had, nor will you have, any intention of being positive. You just want this movie to fail, and you want everyone to hate it because you decided you would months ago.

Thanks for this!!! So agree... I thought this person was banned... but apparently he or she has been allowed back in. He/she assured us all that this movie would not even come close to setting any records... and it's blown every one out of the water. I'm convinced that he/she decided a long time before this movie was released that he/she was going to hate it because he/she is butt hurt that the greater percentage of people disliked the prequels. So Nada exists to 'try' and spoil our fun... but it isn't going to happen. I'm with you tho... no way he/she has seen the movie.

[Dorklord]

Originally Posted by Jumpman

Truth.

Lies.

[Jumpman]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

No need to be sorry, I agree with a lot of it.

Just got back from this, and it's fair to say I'm feeling kinda underwhelmed. Not because I'm a secret Lucas Kool-aid drinker and think the prequels are God's gift to humankind, but because JJ's delivered yet another efficient blockbuster that stands on the shoulders of giants, updating past glories with modern whizz-bangery without adding much (if anything) new.

Yeah, I got a chill down my spine when the title hit (interesting that there's not even a fanfare on the LFL logo) but after that those chills were few and far between. Adam Driver's brilliant and Daisy Ridley wasn't as wooden as I feared she'd be (although there's plenty of clunky dialogue doled out to all:

[Show spoiler]was it really necessary for Han and Leia to continually refer to Ben as "Our son" over and over and over just to save the reveal for the chasm scene?

) but I just didn't buy into the rest of them, not even Han and Leia. Threepio looks very weird, his plating is this plastic-looking shit rather than that beautiful metallic gold sheen that he once had and that's not a bad metaphor for my reaction to seeing the old crew: it's them, sure, but in a fake, overly forced (heh), ersatz kinda way. Perhaps it's just been too long for me to get my head around it?

I feel the same "meh" way about the score, too. DO NOT GET ME WRONG: if I were to meet John Williams I would fall to the ground and kiss his feet for the services rendered to cinema, but I cannot remember the last time I heard a new score of his and was moved by it, or can recall even one or two cues offhand; can't recall a single new thing from what I just heard. His sonic wallpaper is better than most people's best scores, granted, but he's just not able to draw on leitmotif as he once did. Yeah, I KNOW he's getting on a bit but I'd put him out to pasture sooner rather than later. Says it all that the only other spine-tingling moment I felt was when Rey

[Show spoiler]clasped the lightsaber and that classic cue swelled up all gorgeous like.

Speaking of Rey, as Jumpman said she's easily one of the more interesting characters almost by default because of her mysterious background, and the montage when she

[Show spoiler]touched the lightsaber at Maz' castle was particularly interesting, not just for the Empire callback but the voice that said "Rey!" which sounded a lot like Obi-Wan to me. She may not yet be the scion of a Skywalker...

So yeah, a fun bit of fluff to woo the prequel-dislikers back with, but it's nowhere near the top of my SW ranking.

ANH
ESB
ROTS
ROTJ
TFA
TPM
AOTC

PS

Oh, one more thing: it's funny that I keep hearing all these 'rumours' about DanielCraigTrooper, saying he might be here or there, but it's blatantly obvious which one he's playing if you actually watch the film. Apologies if that's already been discussed at length, but I'm not about to trawl back through this thread uncovering every spoiler post!

I hate to agree with you about the score because there's nothing memorable about it. Just to make sure I wasn't being an apologist, over the last couple of days, I've listened to JW's Prequel scores and good God, do those scores KILL. They are different from the classic scores from the Original Trilogy but they are just as impactful. Here? Nothing. Take away the callbacks and there's nothing there. Like you, I see John Williams and I'm kissing his ass for what he's given to cinema over the years but, he didn't deliver here. I don't know if its him or being directed JJ that's the problem.

And let's please talk about Carrie Fisher as Leia. Look, Carrie Fisher is Princess Leia. That's the end of that discussion but this film would've been better without her because for the love of God, what was with the photoshopping to her face? It was so distracting. Even my wife noticed and she never notices things of this minute. She just felt way past her time on the screen. Harrison brought the goods of course but even you could tell that he became the wise cracking old man. I mean, Han and Chewie were the new R2 and 3P0 in this, which is almost shameful.

When people watch the Saga from 1-9, this film will feel the most out of place because of how much it leans so heavily on what came before it, beat for beat. It will feel like the out liar of the Saga.

[kamphausd1]

Originally Posted by Dorklord

Thanks for this!!! So agree... I thought this person was banned... but apparently he or she has been allowed back in.

I'm very confused about why Nada was allowed to come back as well. I tried asking him a few times, but he hasn't given an answer.

[Rodney-2187]

These two pieces are AWESOME!

Star Wars - soundtrack | Rey’s Theme - YouTube

John Williams - March of the Resistance (Audio Only) - YouTube

[Jasonic]

Originally Posted by Jumpman

I hate to agree with you about the score because there's nothing memorable about it. Just to make sure I wasn't being an apologist, over the last couple of days, I've listened to JW's Prequel scores and good God, do those scores KILL. They are different from the classic scores from the Original Trilogy but they are just as impactful. Here? Nothing. Take away the callbacks and there's nothing there. Like you, I see John Williams and I'm kissing his ass for what he's given to cinema over the years but, he didn't deliver here. I don't know if its him or being directed JJ that's the problem.

I disagree. It's much better than anything in the prequels, which is all just ridiculous in your face stuff, especially Duel of the Fates. Most overrated score track in history.
It was much more subtle and reserved here, and more emotional. Rey's Theme is a great track. I also love Torn Apart.

[Jumpman]

Originally Posted by Jasonic

I disagree. It's much better than anything in the prequels, which is all just ridiculous in your face stuff, especially Duel of the Fates. Most overrated score track in history.
It was much more subtle and reserved here, and more emotional. Rey's Theme is a great track. I also love Torn Apart.

Agree to disagree. We'll just leave it at that.

[Scottie]

Better than I expected. Great nostalgia. 4/5

[jayman3]

Did I miss something? I'm pretty sure *SPOILER ALERT* that

[Show spoiler]Kylo Ren was killed.

Don't know why others are commenting like they survived.

Also, official B.O. reports is out. Record-breaking $248 million debut!

[Rodney-2187]

Originally Posted by jayman3

did i miss something? I'm pretty sure *spoiler alert* that

[Show spoiler]kylo ren was killed.

don't know why others are commenting like they survived.

monty.jpg

[snobird]

Good read about Imax, may contain spoilers:

http://screencrush.com/star-wars-the...imax-theaters/

Only 18 theaters in the United States and Canada are actually projecting The Force Awakens in 70mm IMAX, less than 1% of the total theater count.

Read More: J.J. Abrams Shot Part of ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ in IMAX, So Why Aren’t Theaters Showing It That Way? | http://screencrush.com/star-wars-the...ckback=tsmclip

[Gamma_Winstead]

Originally Posted by jayman3

Did I miss something? I'm pretty sure *SPOILER ALERT* that

[Show spoiler]Kylo Ren was killed.

Don't know why others are commenting like they survived.

Also, official B.O. reports is out. Record-breaking $248 million debut!

Yes, you did.

[Show spoiler]Hux is told to bring Kylo to Snoke to complete Kylo's training.

[ScarredLungs]

5 Hours until showing number 2 and this time in 3D in IMAX.

[Samus Aran]

Originally Posted by Gamma_Winstead

I honestly don't think you've seen this film. If you can say that about mad max, but not feel the same way about TFA, then you either have serious bias, or haven't seen the film. The Force Awakens does so much different with its characters, and plot, that it's impossible to call it a remake. Creed has a similar narrative structure to rocky and rocky V. I don't see you running around like a loon constantly dismissing that film and tearing it down.

You want to hate this movie. Admit it. We have suffered dozens of posts, from you saying stupid crap like "there's no way this movie opens to 200 million" to now calling it a full on remake. You haven't had, nor will you have, any intention of being positive. You just want this movie to fail, and you want everyone to hate it because you decided you would months ago.

Next he's gonna go through 50 YouTube videos until he finds some random nobody whose opinion aligns with his, then only post that video as proof and validation.

[jayman3]

Originally Posted by Gamma_Winstead

Yes, you did.

[Show spoiler]Hux is told to bring Kylo to Snoke to complete Kylo's training.

Yes, I remember hearing that. But also, another character claimed that

[Show spoiler]Hux has been killed off. Something along the lines of "Hux is done for" or "Hux is no longer with us."

How do you explain that?

[Rodney-2187]

Originally Posted by jayman3

Yes, I remember hearing that. But also, another character claimed that

[Show spoiler]Hux has been killed off. Something along the lines of "Hux is done for" or "Hux is no longer with us."

How do you explain that?

They said

[Show spoiler]Hux is already gone.

I took that to mean

[Show spoiler]Hux had already left because the place was gonna blow. He evacuated. I'm guessing he picked up Kylo, after Chewie picked up Rey and Finn. Phasma was most likely along for the ride since she is confirmed for Episode VIII. Guess she escaped the garbage compactor too.