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

[Ernest Rister]

Originally Posted by GC Riot

Well, Batman Begins is perhaps my favourite superhero film ever, and I'd much rather rewatch that then The Godfather, BUT you can't really compare the two as they're completely different films in wholly separate genres that are trying to evoke different sorts of feelings from the viewer. That'd be almost like comparing Dumb and Dumber with Schindler's List (okay, that was a bit extreme, but you get my point )

I love Batman Begins, and have great respect for it, but I still think the moments with Jim Gordon using the Batmobile feel forced, and I wasn't on board with Bruce letting Ras Al Ghul die. There isn't a moment of The Godfather that doesn't ring true for me.

[Ernest Rister]

Originally Posted by GC Riot

self-proclaimed experts usually are the worst kind.

Someone famous once called me an animation expert, and I felt sick to my stomach. Had to write him and tell him, no, I'm no such thing -- there's so much I don't know. I just share what little I do know.

[GC Riot]

Originally Posted by Ernest Rister

I love Batman Begins, and have great respect for it, but I still think the moments with Jim Gordon using the Batmobile feel forced, and I wasn't on board with Bruce letting Ras Al Ghul die. There isn't a moment of The Godfather that doesn't ring true for me.

Very valid criticisms, which I do agree with. If comparing the films as objectively as I can, then Godfather is the better crafted film, but purely subjectively, I prefer Bats.

Now, back to Star Wars perhaps.

Originally Posted by Ernest Rister

Someone famous once called me an animation expert, and I felt sick to my stomach. Had to write him and tell him, no, I'm no such thing -- there's so much I don't know. I just share what little I do know.

I'd take it as a compliment, but one should never let those kind of things go to one's head I think. Could easily develop into a "holier than thou"-persona.

[Deathbymonkeys]

Originally Posted by steel_breeze

This is fascinating to me, since it seems such a satisfying return to the vibe of the original trilogy. Just out of curiosity… are you a younger fan who "came of age" in the era of the prequels? (No judgment implied; just pure and honest curiosity.)

Nope Born in 81. Watched them over and over and over. Was out of high school when tpm hit.

[Ernest Rister]

Originally Posted by GC Riot

I'd take it as a compliment, but one should never let those kind of things go to one's head I think. Could easily develop into a "holier than thou"-persona.

Oh, sure I was flattered, but also terrified. Like the whole "Brave Little Tailor" story where Mickey gains a false reputation and then has to try and live up to it. I didn't want to do that. I'm a writer and I study animation and film history. I don't consider myself an expert on anything, other than making Ramen noodles.

[Richard Graham]

Can you imagine Poe being lead down the hallway by CGI troopers? Ugh.

[toddly6666]

Originally Posted by Ernest Rister

Knowles is a fraud -- he describes himself as a movie expert...he was talking about Hitchcock's Rebecca and said Joan Fontaine played the title role (Rebecca is dead, Joan Fontaine plays her successor). He said Hal Ashby directed Tootsie. He famously said Brian Cox played the android Ash in Alien. He reported that weeks of footage from Episode 1 was unusable because the DP had the wrong lens on the camera (like that wouldn't have been caught in dailies in the 90's). And on and on it goes, ad nauseum.

Knowles is doing it on purpose as well as writing poorly. His site now counts on the talkback comments section for traffic. Nothing wrong what Knowles is doing.

[PeterTHX]

Originally Posted by Richard Graham

Can you imagine Poe being lead down the hallway by CGI troopers? Ugh.

Since a huge story point depends on the troopers not being clones of each other...NO.

[aiman04]

Jason Ward from MakingStarWars.net has some information with events after VI leading up to VII.

[Show spoiler]

• Coruscant was in chaos, Grand Vizier Mas Amedda attempted to keep the Empire together by any means necessary.
• The Imperial chain of command was is in disarray; no one knew exactly which superior officer they were supposed to follow or what the consequences for doing so might be.
• Several powerful people tried to declare themselves Emperor; the rank and file didn’t really care much for those declarations any longer.
• Pretenders to the throne used their forces to fight one another and chaos ensued.
• The Anoat sector was cut off completely.
• The Rebel Alliance secured several systems and set up bases there in relative peace with minor resistance.
• The Rebel Alliance proclaimed itself the New Republic by this time.
• The New Republic was established in the Hosnian System.
• One year after The Battle of Endor the galaxy was still embroiled in all-out war, however.
• Emperor Palpatine was praised as a martyr by many and young and untrained Imperial Cadets were sent to the front lines in his name.
• Many battles for Naboo were fought in the year after Palpatine’s death.
• The capital of Naboo, Theed, was well protected and stable.
• Imperial sympathizers tried rallying at Naboo because it was Palpatine’s homeworld. The planet was still relatively wealthy and healthy.
• The Empire repeatedly tried to invade Naboo, but every attempt was thwarted.
• The New Republic celebrated its victory in liberating Naboo by the third battle.
• Sondiv Sella served the New Republic beside Mon Mothma and Leia Organa.
• The New Republic had a provisional galactic senate with elected representatives established.
• Imperial laws were rewritten by the New Republic to be more benevolent and just.
• Democracy was returning.
• Worlds polluted by Imperial strip mining were being rebuilt; there were also slavery reparations.
• One year out, Jakku was seen as a worthless world.
• There was strategic value in Jakku for one power-hungry Moff who wanted to win back the sector.
• General Carlist Rieekan, a leader of the New Republic, sent a team out to capture a Star Destroyer christened Inflictor, over Jakku.
• The Battle of Jakku took place in the stars, in the sky, and on land.
• The Battle of Jakku was the largest battle since the Battle of Endor.
• The New Republic gained an advantage through better tactics, despite the Empire outnumbering them vastly.
• The Captain of The Inflictor decided to follow protocol and scuttle the ship rather than surrender it.
• The ship then crashed to the surface of Jakku.
• One month after the Battle of Jakku there were no longer any large-scale battles by the Empire and they vanished into a nebula.
• Having gathered their forces for a counterattack and established a new chain of command, Imperial vessels within Core and Inner Rim areas stayed within borders defined by a treaty, waiting to erupt at any moment.

[Gamma_Winstead]

Oh by the way, about that shot of Poe and the trooper...

[Show spoiler]The trooper is Finn, and he's leading him to the Tie Fighter to escape. That's the scene we see in the trailer. They crash on Jakku, seen in this Reel and the first teaser. Finn gets Poes jacket to try and blend in.

[aiman04]

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Interviews - Domnhall Gleeson, Gwendoline Christie, and Adam Driver - YouTube

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Interviews - Lawrence Kasdan and Kathy Kennedy - YouTube

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Interviews - John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Oscar Isaac - YouTube

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Interviews - JJ Abrams - YouTube

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Interviews - Harrison Ford - YouTube

[Geoff D]

Bloody hell, how much does Daisy look like Keira Knightley when she grins? Spooky.

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by GC Riot

And that's why I don't visit AICN any longer. That and that I really can't stand Harry Knowles.

I didn't even realize that AICN was still around, to be honest. Heh.

[octagon]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Bloody hell, how much does Daisy look like Keira Knightley when she grins? Spooky.

All I know is that smile completely melts me. I never really had a thing for Leia (no, not even in the bikini) or for Padme but I'm expecting a major fanbois crush this time around.

[Samus Aran]

Originally Posted by Geoff D

Bloody hell, how much does Daisy look like Keira Knightley when she grins? Spooky.

She's actually the granddaughter of Padme's decoy!!!!!!

[Mandalorian]

Originally Posted by Samus Aran

She's actually the granddaughter of Padme's decoy!!!!!!

Nice catch.

[Falaskan]

What with this and Batman V Superman I wish i had gone to Comicon. I've never been to one before. I could always go next year but I don't see what's coming out next year that I'm as interested in seeing.

[crazyBLUE]

Originally Posted by Falaskan

What with this and Batman V Superman I wish i had gone to Comicon. I've never been to one before. I could always go next year but I don't see what's coming out next year that I'm as interested in seeing.

Probably another Star Wars or the year after that

[stvn1974]

Disney will still be pumping out Star Wars films long after we are all gone.

[crazyBLUE]

Originally Posted by stvn1974

Disney will still be pumping out Star Wars films long after we are all gone.

The new Star Wars film will not be bad/fail I am sure it will be awesome & take it in a new direction that will lead the path for more.

That is my opinion on it